London Recommendations for a US hound please?

[OC Mutt]

I'll be spending 5 days in London at the end of November. I could really use recommendations from the UK chowhounds. I'm looking for the best pastries, chocolates (I prefer milk chocolate), lunches (10 - 15 pounds per person) and dinners (20 - 30 pounds per person). One particular challenge is dinner on a Sunday night. I'll be staying in the Paddington area and am quite familiar with the Tube. However, I haven't been in the city for many years, so I'm certain the food scene has changed. Specific recommendations might be for Tikka Masala, Fish and Chips, Middle-Eastern cuisine (as I remember, the kebabs are terrific in London), and anything local and wonderful. Thank you for your help!

[Tom L]

I can think of no finer Indian Restaurant in London than The Lahore Kebeb House. I have been eating there off and on for 15 years now.
It is just off of Commercial Rd on Umberston St. Beware of imitations though. Just about every other place in the area is now called The New Lahore or The Lahore 2. Except no substitute.

[NYLONDave]

Had my first meal at Lahore Kebab House last week. The grilled lamb chops (starter) were amazing - thin cops -perfectly charred and seasoned/marinated with a spicy rub - we were with a large group and I must have eaten about 8 of them. We didnt get to try any of the house specials as were there on a Tueday though the special quail and prawn currey were above par. Honestly everything else was good to semi mediocre (saag, standard chicken dishes, other veggie items). When I make it back I'll stick to the lamb and hopefully get to try their house specials. Though the lamb alone is great enough to bring me back

Dave

[pj26]

Get yourself down to Needoo Grill, not too far from Lahore Kebab House. There's a thread about it recently, but you cant go wrong - much better (in my opinion!) than both Tayaabs and Lahore Kebab House.

[cohstu]

If you like Indian food , theres only one thats cuts above the rest ,in my eyes anyway , it the STAR OF INDIA on the Brompton road , run by the REZA and team , excellent .
The Blubird on the Kings rd , is v good , and Racines in Knightsbridge , is v,good
the riverside cafe in Hammersmith 5 star, and as you are chow foodies one little secret italian , run by Pietro ,in the Nottinghill area , and this is secret ,, its called Assaggi you need to call for a res early like weeks , if you get a prob with this e mail me .

Cohstu

[OC Mutt]

Thanks for the great tips Cohstu!

[Negaduck]

I'm staying near Paddington also, pretty much next to Edgware Rd tube station. Any recs for some cheap eats within walking distance?

[alicecooks]

Try Melt on Ledbury Road (just off Westbourne Grove) for chocolates - I think their milk chocolate is pretty wonderful, as are their salted caramels. It's just about walking distance from Paddington and you could check out Ottolenghi (just down the road) for pastries and colourful salads etc at the same time.

[limster]

In the general area I prefer the chocolates at Cocomaya. L'artisan du chocolat on Westbourne Grove has wonderful ice cream.

[alicecooks]

Haven't managed to make it to Cocomaya yet but have seen you recommend it on the boards (have only recently come out of shy lurking to start posting) - it's on my list!

[limster]

Do come back to share your impressions of Cocomaya. Have you had the chocolate sorbet at Melt? I was there on a rather hot day and had a craving, but they ran out. Haven't had a chance to go back to try it since and would love to know more about it.

[alicecooks]

Haven't tried the sorbet but work nearby so will make a point of it and report back...

[limster]

That's a lovely neighbourhood. Have you been to Sahara, the Moroccan place on Hereford Road? Curious to hear about it, and would also love to hear about some of your favourites in the area. Thanks!

[Harters]

Lots of good value Lebanese/Middle Eastern on and just off Edgware Road.

[scooby99]

We like the Golden Hind on Marylebone Lane (off Marylebone High Street) for fish and chips.

It's been around for almost 100 years and not a fancy place but very good fish and chips!

They're not open on Sundays and get pretty packed so if you can, book a table.

They're also a BYO so if you want wine/beer, bring it with you and they'll open it and supply glasses without charging a corkage fee.

[OC Mutt]

Thanks for some excellent recommendations! Keep them coming UK hounds, I have a lot of meals to plan!

[vacherin]

Try Tayyabs on Fieldgate Street near Algate East/Liverpool St. Very good, cheap Indian food. Ask for the mixed grill. Direct from Paddington on the tube, too and open Sunday night.
You can't go wrong with Turkish/Middle Eastern in Hackney and Stoke Newington (Anatolia and Teste are great). Quite far from Paddington though.

[zuriga1]

Princi in Soho does very good Italian pastries and the French varieties at the chains, Patisserie Valerie and Paul's, are not half bad. I find the UK more of a cake place, scones etc. You can find fantastic macarons at Lauduree... carmel salt is addicting but also very pricey.

Many here like Ishbilia for Middle-Eastern cuisine and a recent trip to Master's Superfish more than satisfied my craving for authentic fish and chips (close to Waterloo Station).