Extended vacation in London in late September---restaurant recs?

[Peaches to Poutine]

Hello all! My husband and I have rented a flat in Chelsea for the last week of September. His sister is getting married (she's a five-year London resident) in Essex so we'll be in town for a nice stay. We chose the flat because it's near a couple of well-regarded markets so picking up ingredients for a meal made at home will be a snap. Still, we'd like to go out for a nice meal a couple of nights. So I ask you imploringly: where would you steer us?

Also, recs for pubs also greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Peaches to Poutine]

Yes, I realized as I went to bed last night that I committed a primary cardinal sin on the board: not being specific.

Let me try again: I'd like to find cheap to moderate priced goodness for lunches, breakfasts, maybe the occasional dinner. We do want to eat somewhere quite nice at least one or two nights during our stay.

I don't really have any specifics regarding pubs. I tend not to do trendy or "hip." I just like a place where you can have a really good beer and be able to talk to your friends without too much shouting.

Better? :)

[Jenny Sheridan]

Chelsea is not the rgreatest place for cheap eating! If you catch the 49 bus or take the tube to South Kensington you have Brindisa, a good tapas restaurant, not too dear. There is also Carluccio's which some people despise but I quite like, and is good for take-away food as well.
To eat somewhere nice, take the 11 bus to Fulham to the excellent Harwood Arms. For an ordinary drinking pub, I champion my local, the Eagle Ale House in Chatham Road, off Northcote Road in Battersea. Just a 319 bus ride away from Chelsea. No food but very good beer, well kept by real enthusiasts and a lovely atmosphere. Quiet except on football or rugby nights.
By markets I imagine you mean supermarkets? There is also an open air market on Duke of York's Square, near Sloane Square, on a Saturday. You can buy most delicious salads, cakes, oysters, cheeses, hams, salamis, chocolates and lots of food made on the spot. There were even gourmet crumpets on sale last time I was there.

[Peaches to Poutine]

We weren't planning on eating exclusively in Chelsea. I'll take a trip anywhere within the city for a meal if warrants good recommendation!

[zuriga1]

Well, I (previously a NY Stater) will list some of my, or others' favorites for mid-priced meals...

1. Ishbilia for good Lebanese food
2. Indian Zing, Gaylord's
3. Haozhan - Chinese
4. Terroirs - wine bar
5. Barrafina
6. Brindisi at the Borough Market (go early)
7. Master's Superfish - very good fish and chips
8. Or just scroll down the threads here... lots of good ideas

[zuriga1]

howler is right - your question is just a bit too vague for people here to really be helpful. We all have our own favorites and there are hundreds of good restaurants in London.

I would suggest you also check the supermarkets near your flat for great carry-out meals. They are really superb here, and if you are from the States, there is really nothing quite like what Marks & Spencer (for example) offers in the way of prepared foods. Waitrose, Sainsbury's... also high quality meals and no work while on vacation!

[howler]

if i were you, i would list some constraints: willing to spend y, travel x, looking for middle eastern/french/italian/modern british etc.

otherwise almost every single post on this board is an answer to your question.