663621 Fri Oct 30 16:00:35 -0700 2009 12 42 U.K./Ireland 0 5144014 Will be in London November 8th and 9th staying at Marriott Marble Arch. Need recommendations for dinner both evenings. Recently read, in LA TImes, a good review of Morro. http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-moro19-2009aug19,0,3291717.story Any and all suggestions welcome. I have no allergies or other restrictions. Bar dining is fine too. Just really looking for something tasty and different. Thank You Fri Oct 30 16:00:35 -0700 2009 1120492 mbro 1 5144656 You may need to be a bit more specific about your tastes and budget for the locals to help out (other than doing a search of the board). I've never eaten at Moro although I own a couple of their cookbooks - I gather its offerings of Spanish dishes are pretty reasonable interpretations (gets Good Food Guide score of 4 - from 10 - so very fair) Bear in mind that facilities to dine at the bar is a rarity in British restaurants. I understand that there are a few London places that offer it - never seen it anywhere else in the country. Sat Oct 31 03:05:32 -0700 2009 5144014 154102 Harters 2 5144661 I've not been to that many pub, but several that I've been to let you dine at the bar (e.g. The Eagle in Farrington, The Charles Lamb in Islington). Sat Oct 31 03:44:22 -0700 2009 5144656 10076 limster 2 5144972 Thank you for all for the quick replies. Regarding cuisine I'm not picky. Budget is also not a concern. I'm more interested in great execution of a dish. Maze looks like an option for the first night since I'll be tired and it's close to my hotel. They have online booking and I see an early reservation is available so I may go ahead with that. I liked Morro simply based on the article. Ishbilia sounds interesting too. Sat Oct 31 08:45:23 -0700 2009 5144656 1120492 mbro 3 5145023 Good news about Maze! If you do go there, don't feel compelled to eat as many plates as they will probably suggest, especially if you're jet-lagged. Save room for dessert. Sat Oct 31 09:09:45 -0700 2009 5144972 11939 zuriga1 3 5145133 In that case, I'll give a plug for Rules. Classic British cookery and should be particularly good at present as we're in the middle of the game season. If I was having one of my infrequent trips down south, that's where I'd be heading. They cater well for solo diners. Sat Oct 31 10:13:13 -0700 2009 5144972 154102 Harters 4 5145199 So many choices...so little time. The menu at Rules is intriguing. Sat Oct 31 10:52:04 -0700 2009 5145133 1120492 mbro 5 5145217 Make time for Rules :-) I always find it rather sad when visitors to my country end up missing out on eating our own seasonal cuisine because they're focussed on wanting to try south asian, middle eastern, etc, etc - good as that might be. Sat Oct 31 11:04:24 -0700 2009 5145199 154102 Harters 6 5145268 I agree. One should alway sample the local cuisine...my wife dined at Rules in the 80s during a summer she worked in London. She enjoyed it very much. Sat Oct 31 11:32:06 -0700 2009 5145217 1120492 mbro 1 5144738 You could cross Hyde Park and have a good Lebanese meal at Ishbilia. I'd book a table soon no matter where you decide to eat. It's only a week away. I think you're probably too late for a table at Maze which is within a short walking distance from the hotel, but it's worth a try. The food is well worth the cost. Or take the Central Line straight down to Soho - lots of options there... food of every description. Sat Oct 31 05:58:16 -0700 2009 5144014 11939 zuriga1 1 5146274 Maze is a great choice, Rules would be lovely too (have a cocktail before in their new bar!) If you can't get in, good places nearby for solo dining are Bocca di Lupo in Soho (Italian tapas, sit at the bar, I LOVE this place!), Terroirs off Trafalgar Square (French small plates, again, sit at the bar, you MUST have the duck scratchings) or J Sheekey's newish oyster bar off St Martins Lane (classic British seafood, 1/2 dozen oysters and champagne offer for £15, try their classic fish pie, smoked eel and razor clams are both good too). Sun Nov 01 02:03:58 -0800 2009 5144014 1088742 helen b 1 5148357 Moro is very good - one of my favourite restaurants in London. Great cooking, friendly service and pretty good value, and a good place for solo diners. Mon Nov 02 03:30:08 -0800 2009 5144014 147975 pj26 1 5153588 Thank you all for your suggestions...can't wait to get there...thanks again ! Tue Nov 03 17:02:37 -0800 2009 5144014 1120492 mbro