Nice lunch in London Saturday back end of October
Discussion
My wife and I are heading down to London from the frozen wastelands of the north for a day back end of October. A Saturday if it makes any difference.
We've had a fairly rubbish 18 months or so, and the last 6 have been particularly bad, so it's not a big treat but it's a rare day out and I'd like to try to make it as good as possible for Sarah.
We will be arriving in London at about 8.30 and leaving at 6ish.
Any recommendations for a must visit place for food between those hours? Obviously not looking for a recommendation of any chains as we have those oop north now the electrics been connected, we won't be super smartly dressed as we are just going shopping and probably round a museum or gallery, but we won't be in football strips either. There is probably time there for 2 meals and then grab something fast food wise when we get off the train up here, thinking brunch and mid afternoon decent sized lunch/early dinner.
I have a faint interest in finding a good pie and mash shop and trying jellied eels.
The Wolsely looks quite nice but I suspect I might be on the border of dress code in jeans, shirt and jacket?
We like anything food wise, I am more looking for something we can only really do in London, so if a suggestion is a really good Asian restaurant for instance it would need to have something special going for it that restaurants up here wouldn't have. Teppanyaki being one example, there don't seem to be many up here.
Any sensible suggestions gratefully received!
We've had a fairly rubbish 18 months or so, and the last 6 have been particularly bad, so it's not a big treat but it's a rare day out and I'd like to try to make it as good as possible for Sarah.
We will be arriving in London at about 8.30 and leaving at 6ish.
Any recommendations for a must visit place for food between those hours? Obviously not looking for a recommendation of any chains as we have those oop north now the electrics been connected, we won't be super smartly dressed as we are just going shopping and probably round a museum or gallery, but we won't be in football strips either. There is probably time there for 2 meals and then grab something fast food wise when we get off the train up here, thinking brunch and mid afternoon decent sized lunch/early dinner.
I have a faint interest in finding a good pie and mash shop and trying jellied eels.
The Wolsely looks quite nice but I suspect I might be on the border of dress code in jeans, shirt and jacket?
We like anything food wise, I am more looking for something we can only really do in London, so if a suggestion is a really good Asian restaurant for instance it would need to have something special going for it that restaurants up here wouldn't have. Teppanyaki being one example, there don't seem to be many up here.
Any sensible suggestions gratefully received!
The Counter at Sabor. It's walk-in only, and you need to get there about 11:45 to be sure of getting in at the first sitting.
By far and away the best meal I've had in London in the past 5 years, and not crazy expensive either.
Alternatively, and it's definitely alternative, you could try either the Speedboat Bar in Soho, or Plaza Khao Gaeng by Tottenham Court Road tube station. Both are Thai and both are run by the same people. I think Plaza edges it slightly, but the fermented pork fried rice at the Speedboat Bar is out of this world. The first time we went there, my Wife and I polished off 3 portions of it. The wine at both places is not to my taste, but the beer is fine.
If you want "Nice", then it's definitely Sabor. But the food at Speedboat / Plaza is very much up there, and like nothing you will find in any Thai / Asian restaurant anywhere else in London.
By far and away the best meal I've had in London in the past 5 years, and not crazy expensive either.
Alternatively, and it's definitely alternative, you could try either the Speedboat Bar in Soho, or Plaza Khao Gaeng by Tottenham Court Road tube station. Both are Thai and both are run by the same people. I think Plaza edges it slightly, but the fermented pork fried rice at the Speedboat Bar is out of this world. The first time we went there, my Wife and I polished off 3 portions of it. The wine at both places is not to my taste, but the beer is fine.
If you want "Nice", then it's definitely Sabor. But the food at Speedboat / Plaza is very much up there, and like nothing you will find in any Thai / Asian restaurant anywhere else in London.
Bare with me here, it is in a small basement in a pretty grotty part of London, you have to queue outside to get in, but when you have people waiting outside for 25 minutes to eat, the food has to be good.
https://www.rotiking.com/
https://rotiking.has.restaurant/
https://www.rotiking.com/
https://rotiking.has.restaurant/
Brutto is one of my current favourites in Farringdon. Run by Russell Norman who used to have Polpo. Unpretentious, great food and £5 negronis. I am making a 3000+ mile trip to go there for lunch next month, then Brat the following day. Well, not just that but they are the first things booked.
SaulGoodman said:
Brutto is one of my current favourites in Farringdon. Run by Russell Norman who used to have Polpo. Unpretentious, great food and £5 negronis. I am making a 3000+ mile trip to go there for lunch next month, then Brat the following day. Well, not just that but they are the first things booked.
Yup - totally forgot about Brat - probably the 2nd best meal after Sabor. The whole Turbot is fantastic.SaulGoodman said:
Brutto is one of my current favourites in Farringdon. Run by Russell Norman who used to have Polpo. Unpretentious, great food and £5 negronis. I am making a 3000+ mile trip to go there for lunch next month, then Brat the following day. Well, not just that but they are the first things booked.
Brutto does look nice, congratulations on getting out by the way, always been a fan of your work, if you set up practice in the UK drop me an email.Kitty Fishers in Shepherd’s Market is nice.
Good food cooked well & not bonkers money.
Another great place right around the corner is Misto, a family run independent Italian that is a regular place for us to visit if in London.
I tend to use Park Lane for parking when I go to London so Shepherd’s Market makes sense.
Good food cooked well & not bonkers money.
Another great place right around the corner is Misto, a family run independent Italian that is a regular place for us to visit if in London.
I tend to use Park Lane for parking when I go to London so Shepherd’s Market makes sense.
wildoliver said:
I have a faint interest in finding a good pie and mash shop and trying jellied eels.
Stick to pie and mash (although it's nothing special imho), but avoid the eels. The eel is ok, the jelly isn't very nice, but the bone in the middle of the eel is sharper than a Japanese katana, and you could spend the afternoon in A&E having the lacerations in your tongue treated. If you want to sample a cracking "proper" London pub we love it here:
https://www.crownislington.co.uk/
https://www.crownislington.co.uk/
wildoliver said:
SaulGoodman said:
Brutto is one of my current favourites in Farringdon. Run by Russell Norman who used to have Polpo. Unpretentious, great food and £5 negronis. I am making a 3000+ mile trip to go there for lunch next month, then Brat the following day. Well, not just that but they are the first things booked.
Brutto does look nice, congratulations on getting out by the way, always been a fan of your work, if you set up practice in the UK drop me an email.
Have fun and report back!Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff