NYLONDave's Profile
ISO vegetarian restaurants for lunch & dinner around Kings Cross Station
I was in the area the other day and it looked like it was closed down. Not sure if it was for renovations or for good. The website is not up, so I'm assuming the latter.
Dave
Eat Street Kings Cross London- Food Trucks UK style?
I havent been though have sampled most of the eat st vendors at various locations. I'm a big fan of BAHD (hot dogs) & Buen Provecho. Having all the higher quality vendors in one location has to be a good thing. I hear they have a friendly competition to see who does the most business.
I'm actually in NYC at the mo and just had lunch at a korean truck in midtown and can say that Yum Bun in the UK did a better bun than the one I just had
Dave
M&S Selling Thin-Sliced Salt Beef
I've found a pretty good rye bread from Ocado/Waitrose. Buckingham sliced rye - decent crust and chewy internals. Not always in stock on Ocado and I think availability in stores is varied by location
Its been my sandwich bread of choice lately and is pretty awesome toasted w/ some butter and marmite
Dave
Hebrew National or Vienna Beef Franks in the UK
Just an FYI that BAHD is now also at the new Eat St. event at Kings Cross (Kings Boulevard). Check the calendar for who is there and when. Though note he's running two carts so will still be serving at Old St though w/ out Abiye. He's at least 20% maybe more of the appeal.
Ive become a regular of sorts at Old St. Would recommend the big dog (beef and pork) and maybe a smaller pimp steak for a perfect meal.
Now only if I could get a knish wrapped in foil w/ my dirty water dog and some grey slushy snow on the street I would be magically transported to the NYC of my youth.
Sunday Brunch and/or Dinner Spot in London?
A # of places have brunch like menus for their Sunday roasts. We tend to do one of the Soho House locations (Electric, High Rd) w/ friends as they have a creche and the food and drinks (bloody marys) are usually pretty good - though I tend to ensure we arrive after noon so that we are not limited to just the breakfast menu. Dean St Townhouse which I believe is part of the Soho House family should do something similar.
Also the Harwood Arms Sunday menu looks great (sans any breakfast items ) so maybe better to think Sunday roast rather than Sunday brunch.
Dave
P.S Actually TimeOut has a pretty good summary of options http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1064/londons-best-breakfasts-and-brunches
What should a New Yorker make sure to bring when moving to London?
Good call on the measuring cups. A good pyrex measuring cup has been invaluable. We also tend to bring back seasoned corn meal as my better half is from Atlanta. Otherwise, its the standard cereals, and candy which you can get here at a premium.
Note I just discovered Casa Mexico in Bethnal Green which has a variety of dried and canned chilis. Otherwise its cool chili co/Taqueria for the chipotle and other mexican ingredients
Dave
Huy Fong (rooster brand) sriracha in London?
Banh Mi Bay in Clerkenwell has them for around £4 a bottle. Though you could order online for less I would think.
Dave
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The Clerkenwell
69-73 St. John Street, London EC1M 4AN, GB
Asian in Notting Hill
Another option is C&R on westbourne grove for Malaysian. You can just hop any of those buses (328, 28, ...) that head from the gate to cheptsow and westbourne grove - probably quicker than Thai Rice which is a bit of a treck down portobello rd or on a bus. There's also a malay place under the overpass right before you get to Thai Rice that isnt bad, though not as good as C&R whose name escapes me
Desperately seeking decent Chinese delivery to N1
Not sure what their delivery area is though Kung Food on Clerkenwell rd does the job for me on late nights in the office.
Dave
My Birthday Dinner
Would say Aqua is the buzziest and w/ the weather being nicer their patio must be quite a scene - though lacking in any views. Not a fan of Nobu in London. Think you would do fine at Zuma, Hakkasan, or Aqua
Dave
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Hakkasan Restaurant
8 Hanway Place, London, Greater London W1T 1HD, United Kingdom
New Yorker in London
A short walk from Baystwater you have Al Waha (Lebanese) and Durbar (Indian) which do good lunch specials (10 quid or so) and are pretty fine examples of their respective cuisines that you would be pressed to match in NY. Otherwise the board is full of examples of reasonably priced suggestions from the esoteric to the sublime.
Looking for great pubs with great pub food in London.
Would add the Coach and Horses in Clerkenwell to the list. I haven't done a full meal, though if the bar snacks are any guide it has to be a winner. Awesome Scotch eggs (2nd only to the ones I've had at Harwood Arms) and they often make their own charcuterie.
Dave
FIVE DAYS IN LONDON WITH TEENAGE BOYS - HELP!!!
If you make it over to Notting Hill you could try gelato and ice creams from a number of top spots all with in walking distance - maybe try a scoop or 2 at each
Artisan du Chocolat & Melt - both are mainly chocolate shops that also do ice cream. I have only tried the ice cream at Melt and it was good from what I remember - i typically stick to the salted caramels there - though not sure they sell ice cream all year. I believe some one may have posted about the ice cream at Artisan. Otherwise, you have Dri Dri and Gelato Mio (Pembridge rd) all in walking distance and you can do some serious shopping/people watching on Westbourne Grove beween Colville & Ledbury and/or join the masses for Portobello Market on Friday or Sat.
FIVE DAYS IN LONDON WITH TEENAGE BOYS - HELP!!!
I wouldnt say Exmouth Market is a shopping destination in its own right, though there are a few shops sprinkled among the restaurants and the food stalls which are there at lunch time only. if its a nice day and you have some time I would walk around and soak it up , otherwise you can just hit Caravan and head out as its pretty close to your hotel.
Dave
FIVE DAYS IN LONDON WITH TEENAGE BOYS - HELP!!!
For a great breakfast a short bus/cab or long walk away I would recommed Caravan on Exmouth market. Its a great fusion of British, Antipodean, and Mediterranean influences in a bright modern room. I just had breakfast here again the other day , I usually go for dinner or lunch, and the baked egg w/ chorizo, corn bread french toast, and black pudding were all memorable and made w/ top notch ingredients. They roast their own coffee and you can get 3rd wave filter style, flat whites, or traditional expressos etc... For the non adventurous eater they do eggs any style . So should suit everyone.
Exmouth market in general would be a great place to explore for you and your family due to its proximity to your hotel. For lunch the market is typcially full of vendors - you can grab a grilled sausage or Ghanaian stew and sit in Spa fields park if its nice out . At night you have Moro, De La Cruz, Caravan and others to choose from.
For ice cream I stick to Gelato Mio in Holland Park and Dri Dri on Portobello rd. Your teens may also enjoy the nitro ice cream parlor in Camden Chin Chin Labs.
Dave
group buy/purchase programs for restaurants?
I used the previous deal at A La Cruz. Its the only resto I have used w/ groupon in the UK otherwise I have stuck to massages and spa deals for my better half
For A La Cruz you just need to mention you have a groupon coupon when you make the reservation and keep reminding them when you arrive and ask for the bill. You can order anything off their full menu and they basically just knock 60% off your first 20 GBP. Also looks like they removed the limit of 2 per table.
A few tips that just came to mind;
1. When making the reservation ask to be seated in the dining area in the front - its a more lively and brighter setting and you can keep an eye on the asador and other grills. The back room is on the dark side and lacking any vibe. If you dont like the front room you can always go to the back room. The front room fills up so if you dont reserve it you can end up in the back - not a horrible situation but I learned my lesson
2. The amount of meat in the mini grills is more than enough for most. Especially if you get some starters and/or sides.
Enjoy
Dave
group buy/purchase programs for restaurants?
In case anyone is interested one of the groupon deals for today is 20 quid for 8 @ A La Cruz.
Pretty good deal and pretty good meat and venue
Dave
El Piratas de Tapas, Westbourne Grove/Bayswater, London
We bring our 3 year old here all the time for lunch and early weeknight dinners. We havent tried a weekend dinner as it gets very buzzy/crowded.
Dave
Pizza al taglio, London
You should try Malleti Pizza in Clerkenwell. There's one in Soho as well I think.
Great quality toppings in classic combos and a good crust.
David
4 Days in Fulham, London
A few places I recommend in the area in addition to the Harwood Arms based on infrequent visits to friends in that part of town;
Taiwan Village on Lilie Rd - haven’t been in a few years though its still getting great reviews.
It’s a solid local option.
The White Horse on Parson's green and Tendido Quatro (tapas/paella) would be the other two that come to mind
Lastly not sure Smith of Smithfield's should be lumped in w/ amazing food. Its a good buzzy place and the top floor can be pretty good. Though its typically not mentioned in the same breath as other great steaks in town.
Dave
Harrow Road request [London]
Hi,
On Westbourne Park Rd around Great Western Rd just south of Harrow Rd you have some pretty good options from Bumpkin, The Oak, Lucky Seven, Crazy Homies, The Cow, The Westbourne, and Rosas.
At the top end of Portobello you have Thai Rice, Santo (Mexican), and all the Portuguese places on Golbourne Road (good coffee and natas).
One interesting option that I've been wanting to check out all summer is the Dock Kitchen (http://www.dockkitchen.co.uk) which was a "Pop Up" restaurant this summer which has gone permanent in the old Virgin recording studios now Tom Dixon offices . The reviews have been OK.
if you make it there please report back as it might motivate me to get over there.
Otherwise the Harrow rd itself is a bit of a culinary wasteland.
Dave
Wanting it Hot Hot Hot in London
I do get a kick out of man v food on the Food Network in the States and I think on Good Food here in the UK. That said, I'm pretty sure you will struggle to find any restaurant or cafe or what ever in London that would promote extreme food/spice contests/dishes.
In my 7/8 years away from the US you just realize that most of the RoW is not as sales/marketing focused on every minutiae of life - including wacky marketing gimmicks like your meal is free if you can eat 20 of our hottest Buffalo wings.
That being said you could probably go to some disrespectful Indian resto on brick lane and ask them to make the vindaloo impossibly hot.
Otherwise if you're just after things spicier then your average westerner eats any of the good Szechuan places in London would do as the the previous poster mentioned as would sticking to the hotter options at any decent indian.
Dave
P.S. On a related extreme food side note I had an awesome belly buster egg sandwich at Billy Bunters Snack Bar in Stepney Green this morning on Mile End road; sausage, bacon, burger, egg, onions, mushrooms, cheese , etc... on a "french stick". Memories of egg sandwiches from my decades in NY came flooding back in a good way
Quality (cheaper) Restaurants Near Paddington - Maida Vale - Notting Hill?
On the more affordable side of things and in addition to other suggestions
Taza - some of the best Shawarma in the area for less than a fiver
Gusto - salads and breakfasts/coffee w/ an Italian bent
Portobello Pizza and The Oak for pizza - maybe pushing the budget a bit at either
Otto Pizza - recently opened - havent been though my neighbors think it's great
Not on your list but El Pirata De Tapas has a 9.99 lunch special - it's some of the better Tapas in London and a pretty good deal
Thai - my fave in the area is Thai Rice they also deliver
On Portobello road on Sat and I think Friday there is a whole roast pig stand that does pretty good pig on a roll
For BBQ you can try Bodeans when it re-opens on Westbourne Grove - though good BBQ is difficult to find in the US outside of the South and Texas so don't get your hopes up.
Durbar for Indian - they will deliver - though you might be better off there at lunch when they may have a special on
All for now,
Dave
group buy/purchase programs for restaurants?
Groupon has has had some decent deals in London. I'm actually going to A La Cruz in Farringdon tonight and using vouchers. 25 quid voucher for 8. Though for this deal you are limited to 2 people and 2 vouchers per visit. I bought a bunch and have been working them off w/ friends every few weeks.
Dave
Best Sushi in London 2010
Depends what you're looking for, if your looking for the pinnacle of unusual and fresh seafood then I wouldnt waste your time or money. Though if your looking for good to very good sushi and sashimi - more in the Japonica (not in the size of the cuts though) and mishima style you can do fine. My go to spots in London
Ginnan and Tajima Tei in the Farringdon area
Ginnan has to have the best priced lunch sets around and the quality of the fish is impressive for the price. To take away most sets run 6/6.50 - a discount over their delivery price of 7/7.50. Dining in prices are almost double. Though at lunch the room is a bit dark and the place is often empty. Even for take away the rice is always fresh, slighty above room temp, and well vinegared - something you rarely find at even more expensive spots.
If I want a more bustling lunch scene I tend to go to Tajima Tei where its always busy and the range of options is a bit broader. Though cant say that I've ever been overly impressed with the offering. Some people rave about it, i just think its good.
In Notting Hill our go to is Inaho - its small and when full can be a bit cramped and the service can be slow, though we keep going back for very solid standard options and amazing atsuaga shoga (fried and grilled tofu) and anything with salmon skin (always perfectly crispy skin w/ the right amount of flesh still hanging around). Note standard maki portions here are 12 pieces. I've seen many folks order a few portions of maki and then have to either awkwardly eat a ton of rolls or have to send it back. I tend to order half portions of rolls and sashimi (3 pieces rather than 6) to get a good range in.
Otherwise I dont tend to go out of my way for sushi in London and save sushi splurges for time back in NY or occasional trips to Japan.
Dave
PS and slighty off topic - I'm waiting for someone to open an Ippudo or other quality ramen joint in town. London tends to be a few years behind NY/LA trends (cupcakes, mexican, banh mi, etc...) so figure ramen has to be coming and I'm buoyed by the fact that Koya is doing well. If I was less risk averse I would be talking to the Ippudo guys myself about opening a branch here.
Restaurants Near Shepherd's Bush, Notting Hill Gate, etc [London]
If you're staying in NH you can take a bus or walk to Little Venice and then take a canal boat to Camden Locks along the Regents Canal (see sched below)- you could then walk back around the park and take a tube bus back to Notting Hill or take the boat back as well. Trip works in reverse as well.
If the weather's nice there's a cool nitro ice cream parlor that just set up in the Locks - though I think there are a few of these in the States - so maybe not so unique
if you need anymore specific NH recs let me know - though if you search the board you can find most of mine
Dave
1st APRIL to 26th SEPTEMBER
from Little Venice ; 10am, 11, 12, 1.15pm, 2pm and hourly to 5pm
from Camden Lock ; 10am, 11, 12, 1.15pm, 2pm and hourly to 5pm
http://www.londonwaterbus.com/
Are there ANY proper Mexican restaurants in London??
The place under the bridge is El Camino a Conran family extension of Crazy Homies w/ a more relaxed skater/beach bum vibe. Same high quality ingredients and more tex/mex. cal/mex americana then Mexican though still very tasty. It has probably been stealing a lot of business from Santo which is 100 meters or so past the over pass which itself is a cast off from the Tacqueria on Westbourne Grove (former chef).
Including the really horrible chains that have recently opened NH has 6+ "Mexican" places with in a long walk of each other. Quite an impressive total considering there was nothing 5 years ago other than the taco stand on Portobello road where the Tacqueria began its life
Dave
Looking for great grilled sardines [London]
Just had some great grilled sardines yesterday at Portobello Pizza as part of their lunch special. £12.50 for any 2 dishes out of a selection 8 . They're not on the regular menu, though have seen it on the lunch menu pretty often so you could call ahead.
Dave
Best Indian - St johns Wood/Marlybone/Baker Steet [London]
When I used to work in the area Eriki on Finchley Road close to Swiss Cottage was far and away the best Indian in the area. Used to to go when it first opened for lunches (they had a very good deal). It looks like its still getting good mentions.
David
Looking for great food in Kent and London with a 4 year old in tow
If you own an Iphone or an Ipod Touch the Good Food Guide is available as an app and I would think you can download it from itunes in the States (though you never know w/ IP these days).
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/the-good-food-guide-2010/id342284204?mt=8
Dave
