'Ty Gwyn' means White (Gwyn) House (Ty) and there's LOADS of them in Wales. Interesting that Follett uses it - most mega rich people would live in a manor in the cotswolds, not Wales :)

HI Theresa, Scruffy the Cat - I live next door to exmouth market! There is a waitrose 5 mins away on St johns Street. Plus a larger Waitrose, M&S, Sainsburys up at Angel. And of course the fabulous Gazzanos italian deli, plus easy access to west end via 19 and 38 buses if you stay somewhere near Rosebery Ave. For fruit, veg, fish and meat you have chapel st market - though this is pretty authentic working class london - not marylebone fancy. On plus side, shopping will be LOTS cheaper, though....

Went again and had the dal mass again. Really enjoyed it but still think the dal at Pride Halal, Queen's Market has the edge. Same texture but a lot more kick. More chilli, and I think, fresh fenugreek in it. Yum.Trouble is its only open daytimes in the days when Queen's Market is on

In the 'good old days' an ex of my friend swore that his mum used to take fish n chips, wrapped in newspaper on the plane to Brooklyn from Birmingham. Still find it hard to believe but more recently, round about 2005, a friend used to take potatoes from london to nyc as she didn't like US spuds (said they had no taste) and missed her baked potatoes.

Other half is addicted to Ambala's pakora. Just wondering if Chowhounders have any more reccs to try?
(am not a fan myself so unable to try places out for him - so will value your expertise :) )

HI John, yes I didn't really know what to expect and i just didn't really get it. Meaty and spicy flavour but just totally smooth texture - like baby food.

Thanks Justin..might try starting a new thread about pakora in london - be interesting to see what people think. Am hoping to go to upton park this sat so will defo try some of your reccs, even thought i am supposed to be on (another) diet!

Oh will do...glad you're enjoying Pride Halal. I love it - desperately trying to get them to give me their dal recipe so i can cook it in n wales for my family! Will be there saturday sometime, I'm sure - I go there for lunch.

re vada pav and pani puri --- where is that? will have to check it out. Also, my other half LOVES pakora - any reccs for best in the area (so far he will only buy them from Ambala in Drummond St). Would love a tour sometime soon though...

Ooh...really feel like going tonight now. What shall i try? Loved the dal fry when i went last time - tried the halleem but i didn't really know what it was before ordering and it just wasn't for me. Anyone tried the biryanis yet?

Sounds great Justin. Will try it next time I'm in upton park. I usually go for lunch so assuming it will be open...? Is it ok for single females dining alone? (Just cos I felt a bit intimidated when i went to Gram Bangla). Also, if I ask for the special naan will they know what I mean?

I personally like Sizzling Bombay for a tasty and cheap meal. Love their biryanis - the dal or veg curry that accompanies it is v tasty. It looks like a fast food place (and also does kebabs) and you sit on benches. No frills but no complaints from me :)

yes i went to the cheese shop last time i was in chester which was over a year ago. Bought some yummy cheeses so thanks for the recc...

dad up and down healthwise so the furthest I'm going is llandudno at the moment...steak and chips at the st george's hotel. (dad's fave) If you've got any other n wales reccs, do let me know

Sounds good John, will make a point of checking it out next time I'm there. thanks for this.

HI joseph in terms of the chains, I'd say the best are the EAT cafes if you need something quickly.their soups are generally quite good.

Am a fan of Moti Mahal too..but then i haven't been to Benares...

HI Justin - one of my faves there is Pride Halal inside Queen's Market. A group of indian women run it and you used to be able to see them making samosas in the back. Goes without saying, samosas are delish, am also partial to their dals and spinach & meat curries. No set menus and very basic but it's a place i keep going back to. Only open during market time though

Thanks MoGa....yes last time i went to buy them in chinatown they had sold out! I'm going to really try and use them to lose weight after xmas. They are very filling, so if you stuck to a diet i reckon they could really work.

Agree Phil D i'm in Angel, london and while i have a good local butcher (the one on rosebery ave it has nothing like the selection when i go to visit family in north wales. In the small market town of denbigh alone there are two excellent butchers - i went a bit mad buying their home made faggots, brawn, pork pies, cooked meats. Better choice than any i've seen in my local london area. Tip: Williams of Vale St Denbigh do v v good pork pies

Oh June..methinks I'll be asking you for recipes...I'm not the world's greatest cook..I just love eating! But I'll have a go...it'll probably be stir-fries unless more experienced CHs can suggest other things....

Many thanks for all your replies....Am going to check them all out! :)

Hello dear CHounds, does anyone know where I can buy these low-carb, cal-free noodles in London? Have googled but no joy...

Hello fellow Chounds...I found some amazing florentines in Aldi this week...only 1.99 a box (packaging is nice, too)
Anyone started stocking up on Xmas goodies and who can recommend nice foodie things I'd otherwise miss?

I used to use my tastecard to have a very tasty curry at Maida in Bethnal Green Rd. Their lasooni sag is absolutely delicious.

Hi there - I buy my spiced masala teabags, £1.50 for 40 (chai express brand) from an Asian supermarket in Green st upton park. don't know the name but may be going this weekend so will be able to post exact address. Nearer into town you may be able to get them from the supermarkets in brick lane

Hello - trying to find any gambian places to eat in London.
Heard about a place on Holloway Rd but it is Ghanian, not Gambian...any help please.

moti matal was amazing when i went there - had the tasting menu at £39 a head (i think) and it was pretty special.

haven't been to quilon yet...anyone been recently and is it still good?

The post on fried chicken below got me thinking about unsuitable names for eating places.
Apart from Stepney/Alaska/Kilburn Fried Chicken, the worst place I've come across is a place called Greedy Cow in Mile End...not that I went in there...
Anyone else seen any horrors?

Alaska Fried Chicken? I thought Stepney Fried Chicken was pushing it when I saw it on a bus trip to east London...! (Surely it should be Alaska Fried Whalemeat..... *Gets coat and leaves*)

John, next time you're in the area, try the Bistro in Rhyl..had an excellent meal there two weeks ago.

Good to see you back here, John. Enjoying your new reviews! You'll have to go to North wales soon and publish your verdicts. Had a good meal at the Bistro in Rhyl on sunday. Good sunday lunch choices...best I've had in the area for ages