brokentelephone's Profile
Help with meals in Chelsea and around St Paul's or other tourist areas [London]
I only ask because Bospherous is my local and I've never really ever had kebabs from anywhere else.
My only qualm is that they don't make pita wrap sandwiches, and they don't have chips.
Would you eat baconaise? (It is OU certified)
Apparently some types of ham taste exactly like corned beef.
Help with meals in Chelsea and around St Paul's or other tourist areas [London]
Why is bospherous so different than other kebab stands?
Help with meals in Chelsea and around St Paul's or other tourist areas [London]
Bangkok gross -- don't bother (NYC Thai is much better than London I think).
Do a search South Kensington -- lots of options.
Food trucks and Street Meat website/map
I am guessing that food stalls in China/India may be on the "food poisoning" end of the hygiene spectrum, and are thus generally avoided by most people who can afford to eat elsewhere.
I think making money off food is hard graft as it is, but I cant imagine anyone is getting rich off of food trucks, unless you own multiple trucks.
Food trucks and Street Meat website/map
A few street food heroes who where in the vanguard of the new generation of street foid in London are now housed in bricks and mortar restaurants. Why is this....?
"Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M, get the money, dolla dolla billz yaallll"
Advice for Marble Arch area? [London]
Marble Arch means you're in the close vicinity of Mayfair, Oxford Street, and Marylebone.
(1) The Cut Steakhouse is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, and was very good when I went for my bday, though it is pricey. It's on Park Lane so very close.
(2)There is a good Chinese in Marylebone called Red Sun -- ask for them to translate the Mandarin menu, unless you happen to speak Mandarin, in which case, don't bother asking them to translate, unless you are illiterate, in which case, definitely have them translate or probably, just read aloud.
Meat Liquor is nearby and is relatively low-stress for lunch, ie., no waiting. It's a great hamburger place with a bit of hipsterism influence.
3) Brass Rail at Selfridges, or Reubens for a salt-beef on the go.
Food hall in Selfridges has great to-go options. I like getting a lox'n'bagel from the kosher section.
4) There is a cheese place in Marylebone called La Fromagerie which is great.
Also, there is a spot that sells thousands of different types of jams and whatnot called Paul Rothe & Son. It's basically an old English caf but its quite cool.
If you like Whisky there is a place on Chiltern Street called Cadenheads which has a terrific selection, and the dudes who run it are massively knowledgeable. If you're American it'd be fun for your child to drink legally in a "european way" whatever that means.
Having trouble fFinding cookware without Teflon or aluminum
They sell some pans at Whole Foods market in Kensington which have a teflon style coating which isn't unhealthy. I doubt they're cheap, but are not in the all-clad price range.
I second trying Nesbets or Leon Jaeggi & Sons, both of which are located on Shaftsbury Avenue near Leicester Square -- typically cheaper than the department stores.
London chip shop serving plaice?
My haddock there was very soft (soft and flakey, moreso than cod even) and I typically associate haddock with being on the firmer end of the FnC spectrum.
Food trucks and Street Meat website/map
I think people have a sort of naive attraction to food carts in the US, as if they're somehow more authentic than restaurants because a single committed individual has taken the guerrilla approach to following their dreams. Those Korean trucks in LA run by that grad of the CIA further these stereotypes, as if a highly talented chef is stifled in the confines of a restaurant and must take to the streets to break away from the shackles of traditional cooking. I think this is a load of shit!
Your recent posts here about the African/Sub-Continental food stands outside of Zone 1 sound exciting because they're an organic response to the lack of £££ and opportunities for many immigrants in London. I would be keen to try them because it sounds like I couldn't get the same sort of food anywhere in London.
There are loads of shows in North America about pioneering chefs running food trucks instead of working in kitchens. They almost never look better than food served at sit-down establishments, and more likely than not, seem to be run by bozos who want to jump into the restaurant business but don't actually want to bother cutting their teeth under the tutelage of a real chef.
I do, however, want to own a chain of hot-dog carts in London.
Food trucks and Street Meat website/map
I once watched over an (illegal) hotdog stand in Covent Garden while the proprietor went and bought cigarettes. It was my first (and only) foray into illegal dining, and it wasn't as thrilling as it sounds. My then-girlfriend (now wife) got a free hotdog for our efforts, and to say it was disgusting is a disservice to the word disgusting.
Food trucks and Street Meat website/map
I know, right? Tradition has zero place is cooking food -- to hell with technique and recipes!
I appreciate that street food gives people with limited capital to get into the food trade, but really, working in a van all sounds like absolute hell. In places where street food is part of the landscape (eg Singapore or Thailand) where they serve dishes which wouldn't otherwise be available in restaurants I can get behind eating from a stall.
As a customer, though, I don't understand why people actually get excited by the fact their food is made in a small enclosed vehicle rather than a kitchen. The only upside for me would be speed, but waiting in a line-up for a burrito on a cold-winter day on Leather Lane doesn't really do much for me when Chipotle/Chilango is heated.
Late night dinner in Kensington?
I suppose depends on luggage! We're spending more time discussing this than the OP.
Is there any traditional Kishka or Stuffed Derma in the US?
Which butcher? i love kishke!
Late night dinner in Kensington?
Bumpkin was suit your needs if you're in South Kensington -- its British pubish kind of food. It's just a neighbourhood restaurant, but should be open at that time. Maggie Jones is another very British option, but unsure if open late (I've never been but have been meaning to).
Le Cafe Anglais isn't in Kensington in the case you're stopping at a hotel first -- it will require a taxi from anywhere in Kensington .
The Sportsman - Lunch Reservation for 2 on 5/18/12 - I need to forfeit
Crap -- would've definitely taken it but am babysitting my nephew! Selfish child.
looking for a variety of great food in London near Earls Court.
Earls Court isn't fantastic pub wise close to the tube, but there are some pretty good ones within easy walking distance.
Princess Victoria -- small quiet spot worth checking out if alone/small group. OK food
Devonshire Arms -- loudish pub with good patio if sunny
Scarsdale Tavern -- nicest pub in the area, interesting history (french dude started in anticipation of Napoleon taking over Britain)
The Britannia Pub -- Very nice pub with Youngs ales.
Food wise, there is a good (gastro) pub called the Atlas at West Brompton. They don't take reservations, but the food there is the best in the area pub-wise.
For your first lunch I'd personally just go to Nando's or Wagamama near the station. Nando's is a Portuguese chicken restaurant from South Africa and is a large local chain, but is quite cheap and can be very good (and appeals to most anyone, bar serious foodies and snobby types). Wagamama is an international "asian" chain started in London. The food is pretty good for a chain restaurant, and is tres easy with a group
No 10 is my favorite in the area though, though depending on the size of the group you may have issues getting a reservation.
Enjoy!
Would you eat baconaise? (It is OU certified)
I remember my grandfather wouldn't eat beef-fry because it was too similar to real bacon (he would quote Talmud about erring on the side of caution, etc).
I've never tried bacon, but am always curious what the fuss is about, and saw this stuff doesn't actually include real bacon, is it something you would serve your family?
I'm not actually kosher-kosher, but avoid pork/shellfish and mixing, and don't want to tempt myself too much in case I try it and lose my mind!
Does Anyone Know the Name of This Newport Pub? (And Is It Still Open?)
Could it be Yesterdays?
Mochi ice cream
Agreed -- the ones are Nobu are incredible. I had them in Vegas at Nobu and was craving them so much I popped in on Berkley Street for desert.
The ones are Japan Center are good too (but not in the same league as the Nobu).
Best Chinese restaurant in London?
I've had a few bad experiences using Groupon for restaurants! The businesses are obviously hurting hence they're making the offer, but then treat you like a second class citizen when you produce a voucher.
Cous Cous Darna in South Kensington was comically rude to groupon customers, and quite overt about it. I get it's really stressful when a restaurant is struggling, but groupon should be used as a vehicle to prop up the restaurant, not ruin it further.
help - private dining near pimlico/westminster [London]
You can try emailing Mossiman's in Belgravia -- it's a private members dining club, but they will allow non-members to book private rooms for dining. It may stretch your budget slightly if you drink good wine, but its a really incredible place to take guests.
Kosher Restaurant in London?
There is a place called The Deli West One which opened in Marylebone which isn't amazing but its a meal; there is another place on Baker Street called Reubens which is pretty decent deli food (good salt beef aka corned beef).
breakfast near Sofitel St James? [London]
I'd also recommend Ciccones for breakfast -- its quite inexpensive and has a very cool vibe in the mornings.
breakfast near Sofitel St James? [London]
What kind of food you want on the first night? Are you from a metropolitan city or a bumpkin town?
The answers you get on here depend on the questions you ask.
if you want amazing Chinese beef brisket curry hit Cafe TPT on Wardour for your first night -- i've been recommending this place for years and it rules. It's a shitty restaurant, but some of the dishes are world class.
Best Korean in New Malden?
Do people actually like cooking at their table?
I find it disconcerting that the waiter/waitress is standing over you whilst cooking, I think it worrying that the waiter/waitress is cooking rather than a chef, and in the case where you cook your own, I prefer not to go to restaurants where I have to tend to my own food. That said, it can be fun. ACK!
Anyone tried Baku - new Azerbaijani on Sloane [London]
As per the title -- I've never tried Azerbaijani food but it sounds like a cool mixture of Persian, Russian, and Middle-Eastern.
Canadians visiting London
I'd certainly take a pass on Pitt Cue Co in Soho then...! 16 seats in a space the size of my bedroom!
Canadians visiting London
Toronto doesn't have the upscale Indian restaurants like we have in London so I'd definitely recommend trying one. There are various opinions on the board about which are best but I really like Benares (my sis had her wedding there so am slightly biased), Quilon, or something like Amaya. Even the sorts of places like Tayaabs (cheap pakistani BBQ) aren't that common in Central Toronto I believe (sorry, there might be ethnic enclaves I haven't been to). Do a search for Tayaabs and read Limster or Howlers suggestions -- they are sort of the resident authorities on Indian.
Randall and Aubin isn't really a 'good' restaurant -- its a french place in sort of a shitty/sleazy part of soho which is nice, but nothing really memorable. For a slightly more upscale French bistro nearby I'd try Les Deux Salons because it is awesome. The food is very good, but the room and atmosphere are terrific. It's sort of on par with Balthazar in NY, though perhaps slightly less scene-y.
I haven't ever been to Clarkes, but I'd been to their store next door and if their chocolate chip cookies are anything to go by I'd certainly recommend it (and many many people have told me they love it). Notting Hill (like most anywhere in London) is better day-time strolling than night-time. The Churchill Arms near Clarkes is a nice pub with loads of English crap hanging from every nook and cranny (in an endearing way) -- I really love that place. If you like antiques, there are terrific stores nearby (there are some amazing pieces at Sinai and Sons on Ken Church Street right now if you're in the market for really expensive desiderata).
I went to Dishoom for the first time the other day and thought it was a bit hit or miss. The samosas were very good, the lamb chops were slightly burnt, the lentil soup was almost prohibitively salty. Overall, I wasn't a huge fan but my wife and sister were quite keen.
If you want a very British meal you could try Maggie Jones or Launceston Place in Kensington. Haven't tried either but both are recommended (Launceston Place more than MJ).
-Yet Another Fresser
