London (Russell Square) eats!

[may210]

Hi! I'll be staying near Russell Square station and was wondering where's a good place for breakfast? I heard bad reviews about the hotel's breakfast and wanted to be prepared in advance.

Also would love a recommendation for good restaurants, mostly in tourist-y areas we'll be surely visiting (Oxford/Regent/Piccadilly; Westminster).

And of course- I visited London about 10 years ago and still miss the proper fish&chips (only had a good one about 4 years ago here and the restaurant who sold it removed the dish soon after).

TY for your help in advance!

[fun3Xdaily]

Probably too late for you, may201, but I was in London in August and wanted to say how much I enjoyed breakfast at Gail's Artisan Bakery in Soho. Brioche french toast with ricotta and poached rhubarb, mmm, really good and a great change of pace after weeks of full Englishes! Although you can get bacon and eggs there too, and I'm sure they're nicely done. And I see there's a branch of this bakery in Bloomsbury.

[may210]

Thanks :) It is indeed too late - been there a month ago. :)

[limster]

I had heard of a Malaysian lady who sells apparently very good curry puffs on weekends at a stall around the Brunswick Shopping Centre in Russell Sq. Haven't had a chance to follow up the tip myself, but would be an easy thing to check out since you're right there.

You're not that far from the Caravan near King's Cross which I like. See http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/867876

[may210]

Thank you, it looks excellent - I'm just lost as to how to get there and how near is it to the tube station? (King's Cross)
The maps are confusing and the address listed on their website comes up as a completely different area (1 Granary Square). Thanks in advance!

[limster]

The Brunswick Shopping Centre is roughly across the street from the Russell Sq tube station. Hope that helps.

[may210]

Ooops, sorry I wasn't clear - I meant the Caravan restaurant.

I've actually already had my eye on Brunswick for the trip, there's a supermarket there, right? (I'd like to ask if it's reasonably priced but it seems that almost nothing in London is... ;)).

[Paprikaboy]

There's a Waitrose at the Brunswick Centre.
It's somewhat more expensive than other supermarkets but the quality is good I think the prices are reasonable for what you get.

[may210]

Thanks! I think it'll be fine for the week we're there. :)

[limster]

Caravan is about 5mins walk from the King's Cross Tube. Did you have a look at the map on their website? (Click on "How to find us.") Briefly, exit on the west side of the King's Cross Rail Station (the newer looking part that is a half-circle) -- there's a big arrow pointing towards Caravan that directs you along King's Boulevard (approximately in the NE direction). Walk all the way to the end, cross over the canal and you'll be in front of a big warehouse-looking building with fountains in front of it. That's the Granary Building where Caravan is located.

[may210]

I saw the map but couldn't really understand it, because looking at a regular map (on google maps) it looks like a big empty space, and satellite view was confusing. Anyway I'm always nervous about getting around before I travel and I always end up getting around quite well eventually. Thanks for the helpful explanation!

[limster]

That area has undergone some construction recently and google maps doesn't seem up to date. You'll do best with the map from the Caravan website.

[may210]

Thanks a lot for your help! :)

[astereilla]

Bea's of Bloomsbury for breakfast! Or any of the little cafes on Lamb's Conduit Street. They're all about a 5 minute walk from Russell Square station.

[may210]

Thank you! :)

[zuriga1]

London is so full of wonderful restaurants now, that it's really impossible for me, at least, to give suggestions. Why don't you tell us what sort of food you're looking for or like best... and do scroll down the pages here for lots of suggestions that are written about.

The most popular spots for fish and chips seem to be Master's Superfish, Golden Hind, plus a few others.

[may210]

Hey, thank you. I looked through the suggestions before my post. :) There is specifically a breakfast post but the answer was really generic - the blog wasn't very useful (not many recent posts and no glowing recommendations) and the other link was just for a list of places - but no reviews.

Thanks for the fish&chips recommendation!

As for general restaurant recommendations, well, we're both carnivores so if there's any reasonably priced restaurant with good meats - I'd love to know. :)

Thanks again!

[zuriga1]

My husband rarely eats beef these days, so I'm not much of a good source when it comes to carnivore eating, but the following all have good reputations, and you can check them out.

http://www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk/
http://www.goodmanrestaurants.com/

Quo Vadis is supposed to serve a very good onglet steak.

[may210]

Thank you very very much!

[tavegyl]

I'd take the 10 minute stroll to Honey & Co if I were in that position. Or, if you don't want a big breakfast, get some excellent coffee and pastries from the Espresso Room on Great Ormond Street (closed weekends). And finally, the Fleet River Bakery which is conveniently located by Holborn Tube does good breakfast. None of these will give you a full English if that is what you're after.

[may210]

Thank you, I'll check it out. :) I'm not after a full english breakfast actually, from what I've seen it seems really heavy and quite difficult to start off a day with... Although I'm sure I'll try it at least once. :)
Appreciate your answer, TY again.