http://www.chow.com/boards/42 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:50:25 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/669702#5211446 Interesting info. I have not had a bad experience there, but detect a sort of "if you get on the wrong side of me I will not serve you" attitude. I think to some extent "tourist overload" is a problem. After a while the wandering hordes of holidaymakers I think cause some fuses to get short. Yes, that's their bread & butter (!) but I can sort of see it. Thinking of it, I have mostly gone here off-season as crowds I cannot handle. Good tip about the butcher. There's another good one (Green's) in Longhorsely. Ate their meat at the Oak Inn and it was choice stuff. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:53:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669702#5211446 http://www.chow.com/topics/670030#5211444 Sounds like a fair interpretation then, by any means. Thanks for the info. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:52:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670030#5211444 http://www.chow.com/topics/483616#5211305 Interesting update. We only ate at The Circus once and had a lacklustre meal, nothing bad but nothing to wow us. We kept meaning to return but never managed too, looks like we should have. I also never tried Horridge's food, his personality on GBM put me off; all publicity is not good publicity (although I see he got a great review in the Indy for his new place at Waldo's). Our post Horridge lunch at the Priory was exceptional and a real bargain. It is a beautiful, stylish dining room and they do a good value set lunch on mid-week and on Saturdays, a good idea for those on a romantic weekend visit. Funny comment about the Chequers, sort of summed up our eating experience, although it was good pub food. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:28:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/483616#5211305 http://www.chow.com/topics/670001#5211298 I prefer Hereford Road too, but the price range of Hereford Road and Giaconda Dining Rooms are nearly the same. HR's starters are from £4-8.50, GCD from £6-7. HR's mains from £11-15, with specials like Grouse (£22) or servings of certain dishes for 2 at £28. GCD's mains are £11-14.50 with a few servings for 2 also at £28. Desserts are £5.50-6 (GCD) and £5.50 (HR, except for a £10 cheese plate). Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:26:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670001#5211298 http://www.chow.com/topics/670080#5211277 Hi! Me and my husband is going to London from the 4th-7th of December. We are living at Piccadilly, but wouldn't mind a subride. Does anyone have a suggestion about a restaurant with interesting decore(and good food as well off course)? And we would like to go somewhere and eat traditional English christmas food. Not too expensive, around 60 £ for two with beverage. And my husband would really like to try a good vegetarian restaurant. Thank you for your help Kind regards Josefine Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:15:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670080#5211277 http://www.chow.com/topics/669718#5211179 Thanks for the replies, all of which are interesting. On a related note, since the demise of china china, where is everyone's favorite chinatown spot for noodle soup? I like Noodle Bar on Cranbourne Street, but their broth is weak. Anywhere serve a broth with the kick of, say, the Silk Road xin jiang big plate chicken broth? This is my grail, shame it isn't open for lunch. Next time I'm gonna get Tim to hook me up with a pitcher to take away! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:13:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669718#5211179 http://www.chow.com/topics/582433#5211109 I don't know if Nick Brodie is there still, but I do know that a really excellent chef Steve Wesley, is cooking there. Hoping to visit soon for one of Steve's fabulous Sunday roasts! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:30:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/582433#5211109 http://www.chow.com/topics/668317#5210721 I live near the V&A and I would recommend Little Japan which is right next to South Kensington Tube, Bosphorus Kebabs on Old Brompton Road, and House of Coffees (name may be slightly different) on Gloucester Road does a great pizza deal between 4 - 8 (I think) where you get 2 pizzas for the price of one. All of these are pretty much 'cheap' deals but I think still very tasty. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:50:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668317#5210721 http://www.chow.com/topics/663115#5210704 I've just been there for lunch and the pho was just as good a what I had in Vietnam - not quite as fiery but they do provide chilli to add it. Pho is only £4.90 so I thought it was pretty good value for money. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:34:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663115#5210704 http://www.chow.com/topics/425072#5209732 Serious flooding in the city has knocked out a few restaurants most notably Cafe Paradiso which is a real pity and maybe your hotel! A friend recommended Les Gourmandises for formal french but i always went to cafe paradiso when visiting - hope it recovers! And i think Augustines closed down recently. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:40:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/425072#5209732 http://www.chow.com/topics/501591#5209681 JFores, i have been reading all your comments and can see that not much pleases you in this life. It seems you are one of those people that enjoys insulting everyone elses pleasures in life. I recommend that you change your tastebuds as they are clearly OUT OF ORDER!!! I was a student at UCL for 4 years and i still come to ICCO pizza every couple of weeks with my friends and family. Nothing compares to this place for great value and tasy pizza. If you were wondering ICCO has won the best cheap eat of London since 2001 until now and in my mind that implies they are extremely good at what they do and have very few ppl like yourself trying to bring them down. For everyone else that is reading this ignore JFores as he clearly is living on a different planet. Long live ICCO Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:06:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/501591#5209681 http://www.chow.com/topics/668644#5209302 Thanks everyone! Can't wait to try Silk road...mmmm do you kow if itàs open for luch? Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:11:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668644#5209302 http://www.chow.com/topics/669083#5208404 Thanks for the response. I have a few nights in your city next month and better get started on a dining itinerary. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:12:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669083#5208404 http://www.chow.com/topics/638398#5208371 I have to say I was disappointed with my banh mi at CH; maybe my expectations were too high. I ordered the special, but realised after chomping away that there was no coriander/daikon and they'd completely skimped on the chilli's, also it was literally doused with the chilli/soy sauce. The Pho was much better. I hope Cafe Bay can redeem my hopes in Banh Mi in London. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:01:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/638398#5208371 http://www.chow.com/topics/669419#5207711 Last time I got a cab from Heathrow the driver should have been wearing a mask & carrying a gun. Aren't airport licensed cabs allowed to charge a premium journey rate? Highway robbery, innit? Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:54:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669419#5207711 http://www.chow.com/topics/463487#5207166 Second the fudge recommendation...also try the brownie from Cinnamon Tree Bakery. It is way better than Flour Power version. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/463487#5207166 http://www.chow.com/topics/480566#5207027 I've heard that Ffiona's restaurant in High Street Kensington is going to start brunch. I'm a regular at Ffiona's and she feels there is a gap in the market for a US style brunch. I'll be interested to see how it works out! Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:18:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/480566#5207027 http://www.chow.com/topics/668641#5206977 London's Anchor & Hope and Great Queen Street have just opened a new pub in Oxford called The Magdalen Arms. Very similar to the former from what I hear, even down to the logo on the menu. Haven't eaten there myself but a friend recommended it. If you like A&H/GQS it could be a good option. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:33:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668641#5206977 http://www.chow.com/topics/669494#5204822 Friends, I am visiting London with my fiance (we are in our mid 20's) over New Years and will be staying in the Regents Park Area. We would like some suggestions for a New Years Eve meal. We would like to see the fireworks, but if thats not really feasible for a budget (50-75 Pounds a person), I would settle for a Local Restaurant and a suggestion for a local bar to go to afterward. Thank you for your time and your help. -Seth Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:13:51 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669494#5204822 http://www.chow.com/topics/669449#5204793 Le Bouchon Breton in Spitalfields does good Steak Frite, nice friendly atmosphere. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:58:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669449#5204793 http://www.chow.com/topics/667929#5204784 I just had an email through from Bounday in Shoreditch who are doing a NYE dinner: this could suit your requirements? The food is fantastic, very French and the space is lovely - with a cool bar. For £90 they have a champagne, oyster and caviar reception, four courses and entertainment or £55 for three courses early NYE supper. Sounds like a pretty good deal, and it's a great place. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:55:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667929#5204784 http://www.chow.com/topics/667529#5203111 no, no. both dan dan and water boiled beef travel well - they are wrapped up in plastic and don't spill at all. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:19:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667529#5203111 http://www.chow.com/topics/606790#5202819 There is indeed one on Camden High St, next to Taste of Siam, actually closer to Mornington Crescent tube than Camden Town. I really like it, quite comprehensive, very helpful, and they're usually reasonably stocked for herbs and greens. Worth a shot. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:50:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/606790#5202819 http://www.chow.com/topics/667767#5202558 Thanks, both of you, good to know. I found them at Wing Yip as well. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:31:03 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667767#5202558 http://www.chow.com/topics/667946#5202476 Hey, Patricko: just wanted to suggest that the OP follow your great advice. My husband and I so loved Pichet's early bird that we went there twice in our less-than-a-week stay. Great food, great value, friendly and attractive place. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:03:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667946#5202476 http://www.chow.com/topics/662004#5202409 If any Americans find themselves without a turkey, be aware that Ocado has them available for delivery between Nov 24-28 with an expiry of Nov 30. They are fresh, not frozen birds. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:46:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662004#5202409 http://www.chow.com/topics/667590#5201592 "And Red n Hot isn't actually new, just nobody's noticed it till recently!" It's newish (and new in comparison with other Chinatown places). Until a couple of years ago it was Penang Palace - the only Malaysian place in the city centre. On another well known board, mention is made of Ning - a Malaysian owned place in the Northern Quarter. Havnt eaten there yet and I gather it's a bit "generic eastern", chucking in Thai and Chinese dishes as well Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:18:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667590#5201592 http://www.chow.com/topics/669017#5200823 Thanks for pointing out the place. Looking forward to hearing about their soba and other things. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:21:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669017#5200823 http://www.chow.com/topics/669000#5200096 • Trojka A menu with Russian, Polish, Georgian and Urkrainian dishes, cooked by a Polish chef. Borscht was pleasant, if not as hearty as the version at Potemkin, leaning more on the vegetables, and perhaps a shade more Polish. A solid and satisfying rendition of blini with smoked salmon and a fair amount of sour cream/smetana with a salad on the side. I love kasha/buckwheat and was glad to have its toasty nutty flavours beneath a brawny Ukranian goulash (don't know what makes it Ukrainian, it's the menu's description) that had notes of peppery sweetness and spice. Chicken Kiev is an enjoyable rendition of the classic, the melted butter gushing with a cut. Pleasant surface breading, tender chicken. The side of ratatouille was ok but nothing special. Good flavour in the apple filling of the crepes, thin with a gentle bit of chew. A bready/cakey roll richly filled with gleaming poppy seeds that give off countless delicious pops. Unassuming but fairly enjoyable dishes. Perhaps a notch below Potemkin for the stuff I had, but a nice bit of colour nevertheless. Maybe worth trying some of the Polish dishes. ---- • Limani The smaller, more intimate sister restaurant of Lemonia. Pretty good fried anchovies, with a light coating of batter. I prefer the crispier and slightly more flavourful rendition at The Lighthouse in Archway, but this wasn't bad. A fairly good squid, tender and snappy. A side of ordinary spinach. Aromatic halva (made with ground sesame), disintegrating to an enoyable sandy textur. Not bad, perhaps a touch more pricey than I would have liked. ---- • The Queens More ham than mushroom in the porky ham and mushroom terrine, the saltiness combining well with the sweetish apple chutney, and sharp gently bitter cress. Warm toast for contrast in temperature and texture. Lamb chops were tender, with a good rim of fat, but I would have liked lamb to have a slightly deeper flavour, even though it was nicely cooked and somewhat tasty. A herbal, minty mash and dark green kale made pretty good accompaniments with a fairly savoury sauce. A solid if fruit forward pinot noir was a decent match. A very likable sticky toffee pudding, I loved the deep vein of salt than ran through this dessert, and the sauce penetrated every pore of the moist pudding. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:04:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669000#5200096 http://www.chow.com/topics/668567#5198864 The extortion happened in Rowley's. As for ££, well it was a "special occasion".....Unique, actually, as it (going there) will never happen again. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:42:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668567#5198864 http://www.chow.com/topics/668023#5198540 drakes is the best, by far, of those brighton options Meadow very good too, Sevendials only OK. Hotel du Vin is 'unthrilling' in the sense of bring fairly trad, but often people don't want anything too risky for Christmas day. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:19:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668023#5198540 http://www.chow.com/topics/617921#5197987 It looks as if Atari Ya is actually right down the High St. from the wonderful Korean places. I'm glad you revived this thread which will hopefully get me over to New Malden again soon for some of of both cuisines. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:53:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/617921#5197987 http://www.chow.com/topics/454621#5196399 It is surprising that crispy aromatic duck doesn't seem to have made it over to the US. Mushu pork doesn't really substitute. CAD is also in our top 3 favourite foods, and from gratuitously extensive testing we now swear by the China Garden Restaurant, 5-6 New College Parade,Finchley Road, London, NW3 5EP. Warning: the Finchley Road is VERY UNGLAMOROUS. Not really a honeymoon destination. But the excellent WonTon soup and duck should allow you to rise above the dirty urban grit. We also think their sizzling chicken with black bean sauce and sizzling prawns with spicy sauce are pretty much the UK's best (another advantage over the US: portions are small enough that 2 people can order a more interesting combination of dishes). Warning 2: as honeymooners, you probably won't be staying anywhere near Swiss Cottage, for the aforementioned reason. Jubilee line is closed all weekend for foreseeable future, so you might want to schedule this meal for mid-week. End of warnings. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:13:16 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/454621#5196399 http://www.chow.com/topics/668084#5195832 Let me know what it's like. I've had it on my list to visit for ages but havnt got there yet. I had some of their stuff a couple of years back (at either the Chester food fair or Conwy Feast) - tasty meat! John Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:59:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668084#5195832 http://www.chow.com/topics/604402#5195778 Hello, me again, and delighted to see the responses and that others are also discovering the joys of Opposite 2 :) A few responses to the things above; HurricaneJosh: Have you tried Coffee by the Monmouth St. Coffee Co? Or Union Roasters? Monmouth may do mail order delivery, not sure about that, but Union definitely have a website from which you can have wholebean (or ground to order coffee delivered). Finally there is Hasbeen (also delivering via a website), whose coffee I have tried and found to be excellent. Opposite2 now sell bags of Square Mile whole bean espresso, which can be ground to order (I used some in an Aeropress, which was pretty good!). Also, they sell bags of Hasbeen coffee (wholebean/ground to order); I found the Sumatran one to be outstanding, and in fact none of them are less than good! So how many of you are going there on a regular basis? I've probably seen you there and not even known you were fellow Chow-people! :p Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:29:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/604402#5195778 http://www.chow.com/topics/619986#5195587 Whenever up up in Merseyside I have breakfast at a little greasy spoon called Reushie in West Derby Village where you get Ulster fry with your full English. I wish I could get it down south; it may be mystery meat but it's crazy-tasty. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:18:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/619986#5195587 http://www.chow.com/topics/452952#5195558 Indeed - my grandfather (Fred) was the son in Maltby & Son. One of my great regrets is that we never got the recipe for his sausages, which I loved. It's great to hear that the Sidolis are still in fine fettle. Please send regards if you pass through soon! Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:04:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/452952#5195558 http://www.chow.com/topics/667313#5195080 Sorry - yes got my left and rights mixed up. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:28:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667313#5195080 http://www.chow.com/topics/668151#5194548 ...and of course there is Terroirs, see other threads. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:21:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668151#5194548 http://www.chow.com/topics/668329#5193926 Hi all. I was wondering given that it is white truffle season at the moment, whether anybody tried any restaurants that have a special white truffle menu? I seem to recall Zafferano having one a couple of years back but they don't seem to have one this time round when I looked at their website. I've only found one so far at Alba Ristorante (Whitecross Street) http://www.albarestaurant.com/menu/truffle-menu.htm, which is a fantastic and authentic italian restaurant in its own right. Have yet to try this, but was wondering if there are other options available. I noticed that there might be a recurring Italian theme here (not surprising!) but I'm referring to all types of cuisine in general. Any recommendations will be appreciated! Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:31:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668329#5193926 http://www.chow.com/topics/667805#5191325 This might not be special enough for your last night, but the Pizza Express next to The Globe also has an amazing view over the river. And very nice pizzas. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:23:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667805#5191325 http://www.chow.com/topics/667842#5190831 You may wat to try Le Pot Lyonnais on Queenstown Road up towards Lavender Hill. A great spot for bfast. The eggs benedict are some of the best I've had. Comes complete with grumpy French waiter just to add to the authenticity! Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:28:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667842#5190831 http://www.chow.com/topics/667494#5190757 I ate at Pied a Terre earlier this year and thought that was very good indeed, ~£32 for lunch, 3 courses http://www.pied-a-terre.co.uk Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:22:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667494#5190757 http://www.chow.com/topics/665375#5189650 Thanks for going out of your way to post. I strongly suspected the hotel was very average and probably overpriced. Appreciate the suggestion! Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:34:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665375#5189650 http://www.chow.com/topics/665521#5188475 I went to The Gun on Sunday evening, I had a brilliant meal, plenty of Game available right now. service was very good, not pushy. worth the long walk. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:59:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665521#5188475 http://www.chow.com/topics/667771#5187880 Hi, My friends and I would like to got out for Christmas party and we're looking for somewhere that will take a large booking, but not get stuck in a function room with hundreds of office parties. There's between 15 and 20 of us going, we all live in Brixton/Herne Hill so we're happy to go near there or Clapham, Battersea, Southbank, London Bridge, Bermondsey and further afield. It's for a Saturday night, Dec 5, which I know might be an awkward time to get a booking. We're not fussy about the menu but we are fussy about quality! Any suggestions from chowhounds? Is there anywhere you've been with friends in previous years that particularly impressed? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:18:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667771#5187880 http://www.chow.com/topics/667343#5186710 Wow, thank you all for your precious hints and suggestions:) I am preparing my list and will snoop around in the coming days! This is really a great place for newbies like me to discover interesting places in London, Thanks!!! Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:25:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667343#5186710 http://www.chow.com/topics/667271#5185306 Definitely Harwood Arms over Hereford Road for me as well. The Scotch Eggs alone are worth going for. Hereford Road was good but too similar in concept to St John and latch notch or two below in my opinion. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:24:51 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667271#5185306