Where to eat in London, England

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Goons with Spoons > Where to eat in London, England

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

cyberia posted:

Is the Nandos everyone is talking about the Portugese chicken place that specialises in peri peri sauce?

In Australia Nandos is considered fast food and is maybe a half-step above McDonalds or KFC in terms of quality and setting They've got branches everywhere but it's still just somewhere you go to get a quick burger or chicken and chips, certainly not a place you would schedule into your day or brag to your friends about.

That's the one. I'd place it a full step above KFC et al, but no more, and yeah, sure as hell wouldn't make an event out of grabbing a weekday lunch there.

Neris, I think I'm with you on Mexican food! It doesn't help that I don't like coriander.

# ¿ Oct 31, 2012 11:38

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 15, 2024 03:24

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Gegil posted:

Thanks you so much! Baltic looks great.

I love me some Pierogis but they are hard to get here in Texas.

Good recommendation, it's been a while but I had an excellent meal there.

# ¿ Nov 1, 2012 19:50

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

knox_harrington posted:

Seems to be a lot of N4 goons here! Got to concur that Dotori is fantastic but they really need to go somewhere bigger. I'd go there all the time if I could get a table.

Not really eating but I had great drinks at the Experimental Cocktail Club last night.

Are you the famous video artist, the one with the cleft rear end in a top hat?

Never managed to make it to Dotori despite trying. My wife has. :argh:

# ¿ Nov 3, 2012 16:42

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Finally had a free lunch in the neighbourhood today so I went to Dotori. I had the dolsot bibimbap with some cucumber kimchi. It was good. Tasty, fresh, and I enjoyed it. I wasn't blown away but as a decent, cheapish neighbourhood Korean restaurant it's good, and I would happily eat there again. I don't love it in the way that I love Koya, but then again, it's cheaper.

# ¿ Nov 6, 2012 17:57

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

I honestly think for Bibimbap, 'Bibimbap' on Greek street in Soho, for £6.95 does a loving GREAT beef bulgogi or chilli chicken. Honestly, I go there so often it's ridiculous.

I had the veg bibimbap there, as well as at Hankang on Hanway St (where I used to work) and Koba on Rathbone Street. The Koba portions are smaller but I thought it was the best, although all three are good. I had beef bibimbap at Dotori and it was about the same level - which is good!

# ¿ Nov 6, 2012 20:10

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The_Doctor posted:

Friend and I went to MeatMarket tonight because I wanted to try their Philly cheesesteak.

Very disappointing. For a cheesesteak, it was missing both parts of that word. Minimal cheese, and very little steak, the gaps made up with large amounts of onions and green peppers. The taste was incredibly peppery too, to the point of overpowering any other flavour. I know what a Philly cheesesteak should taste like, having had many in my time, and this was by far the worst.

My friend ordered the black palace burger, and again, overloaded with onions. MeatMarket need to realise that just making their food really spicy isn't the same as being flavoursome. I'll stick to Bodean's for my hit of American chow.

You should have had a chickencheeze

# ¿ Nov 21, 2012 08:25

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

NLJP posted:

It's definitely pretty good but the portion of actual soup is really pretty small for a ramen place.

It's great we're getting more and more options when it comes to ramen in London these days though but if you ask me about soup noodles in general I still think Koya is best.

Koya is just amazing. So good.

# ¿ Dec 18, 2012 16:21

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Double Happiness posted:

Hey guys, I'm taking a girl out to eat somewhere in London next week. I want to find somewhere that isn't too expensive for a student like me, but doesn't make me look like a cheapskate. I know that she likes Italian if that helps!

What's "not too expensive"? Please be more specific.

# ¿ Jan 3, 2013 00:47

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The_Doctor posted:

Ooh, yes, coffee places would be nice.

The Luxe in Spitalfields, Foxcroft & Ginger on Berwick St..

Vagabond on Stroud Green Road N4
Flat White on Berwickstrasse W1
Milk Bar on Bateman Street W1
Kaffeine on Gt Titchfield St W1
Tapped & Packed, Rathbone Place and top of Tottenham Court Rd, W1
Lantana, Charlotte Place W1
Prufrock on Leather Lane EC1
Coffee Circus N8

# ¿ Jan 3, 2013 12:28

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Raffles posted:

On the subject of coming to London, me and my girlfriend are planning to come down to see Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre in March. Anyone have any favourites for a pre-theatre dinner, preferably around �20-30 per head, around Seven Dials/Covent Garden?

Arbutus is not very far and excellent, and does a pre-theatre menu.

# ¿ Jan 4, 2013 14:33

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

Oh how could I forget that place? I used to have coffee and hot chocolate in there constantly when I worked in Red Lion Square, ta

North London crew - has anyone been to the Triangle in Stroud Green/Crouch Hill?

Ages ago. It was ok. A pleasant experience with reasonable food.

# ¿ Jan 29, 2013 17:31

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

It's near my house and I need an easy stop en route home next week with a guest, so that's perfect if it's decent food! Thanks, will report back.

I'd check more recent online reviews.

# ¿ Jan 29, 2013 17:49

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

sweat poteto posted:

Coffee app sent me to "Leila's Shop" in shoreditch on Sunday, we arrived just before closing and just had hot drinks and a (fantastic) brownie but the menu intrigues me with items liek "fried egg & sage" and people were eating loving delicious lookin stuff like rye bread with a slab of gruyere and egg on top. Gotta go back there......

Been there! Very nice indeed. Almost went to nearby Albion, which was unbelievably arsey.

# ¿ Jan 29, 2013 19:49

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

ineptmule posted:

Awesome, that's just around the corner. I'll have to check it out.

Ditto! Lots of N Londoners here.

# ¿ Feb 15, 2013 23:31

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The_Doctor posted:

Any more takers?

I'd like to but have other commitments. Plus you're all Internet freaks.

# ¿ Feb 20, 2013 11:07

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

Y'all should come to this on March 16th so we can discuss the rise of kimchii, how poo poo cadburys chocolate tastes now and what the next pop-up trend will be!!!!!!*

*Only if you want. It is a goon meet ffs.

In actual content, I finally made it to Byron burger the other day and holy moly that was good for a chain. Very impressed, especially the bun. Their ginormo milkshakes were also extremely tasty.

Cadbury's always tasted poo poo.

I just made some kimchi, but I don't think I'll make it again, unless my wife leaves me (and if I do, she probably will). That stuff stinks. I think its popularity arises from the increased interest in Korean food plus spiciness plus artisanal and fermented, traditional foods - it's like a perfect storm of foodie trends. It also tastes loving good and there is something addictive about it.

I don't like chains in principle, but I like Byron's in practice. It's good food.

Steakandchips posted:

Freaky is just how your mother likes us.

# ¿ Feb 21, 2013 20:08

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Just booked for combined birthdays/ anniversary dinner at Roganic. It's for a Friday night so they only offer the full tasting menu. Ah shucks! We hardly ever go out for dinner anymore (parenting), let alone high-end like that. My wife is vegetarian and I'm happy to be as a rule when with her, and they offer a dedicated vegetarian menu.

(I think this makes sense: it's expanding the market, and undoubtedly at a better profit margin than meat or fish.)

# ¿ Mar 9, 2013 19:50

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Xarr posted:

In Brixton it has to be Franco Manca for great pizza, Honest Burger for the obvious and Kaosarn for absolutely amazing thai. All are small, Kaosarn is BYOB, and none are expensive. There is Mama Lan that is well rated but I havn't been. All are in the market. Have a wander though, there are lots of little places in and around the market, Caribbean, Argentinian, all sorts.

Boqueria is great tapas a 10 minute walk from the Market.

http://boqueriatapas.com/

http://www.francomanca.co.uk/

http://www.honestburgers.co.uk/

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/kaosarn-london-5 (no website)

http://mamalan.co.uk/

http://brixtonmarket.net/info/market-cafes/

I ate at Honest Burger in Brixton last week. Excellent. Better than Byron by a fair distance. Cheaper too. Amazing rosemary chips. Crispy and delicious. Two thumbs up!

# ¿ Mar 11, 2013 18:25

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Mr. Wiggles posted:

A good post.

Only 4 days in the city, the rest of my time is up north.

Yo Wiggles, it would help if you had, if not an itinerary, then an idea of places that you want to see: then we can suggest some eating destinations nearby. Also, I don't know if you want a real blow-out night because there are a few good suggestions for that too.

# ¿ Apr 18, 2013 15:25

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Wiggles, if you want a blow-out this review is relevant.

On Friday night to celebrate our birthdays and anniversary (all of which take place within 4 days of each other) we treated ourselves to dinner at Roganic. On Friday and Saturday nights they only offer the full ten-course set menu: we chose the vegetarian one (she's vegetarian; there were four different items from the meat/fish one - which looked VERY tempting). It's not a super-smart place, as it is a two-year temporary restaurant, but it is pleasant enough, with casual, pretty informal but efficient and professional service. We were given two snacks to start: cheese crisps with wild garlic cream, and potato croquettes with hay reduction/cream - both delicious! The bread was also very good - very light.

The first course was just spectacular: a light mushroom mousse on top of delicious pickled mushrooms, topped with a slightly sweet mushroom crisp. So, so tasty, we scraped our bowls. Other dishes which stood out were a smoked sous vide duck egg with salt-baked beetroot and sour cream (so good, rich and unctuous); char-grilled tender-stem broccoli with buttermilk fennel panna cotta; salsify with apple salsify puree and an apple foam; potatoes with onion ash (incredible); dessert of parsnip cream with hazelnut brittle, hazelnut syrup, and chervil; and compressed pear with ice cream (can't remember flavour - we were well into the bottle of wine by then!). I can't remember exactly which dishes had touches like toasted barley and toasted buckwheat, but those were present too. Naturally, everything was beautifully presented.

There were two dishes I did not like that much: radishes with coal oil (which tasted to me like firelighters); and a salt-baked celeriac where the celeriac was both too salty, and too intense.

It was an amazing dining experience: really clever, creative, inventive food, that was also just delicious. Other than the two dishes which didn't work for me, everything tasted so drat good, but was also really light.

Mr. Wiggles posted:

We don't have much of an itinerary or anything for London with the exception of:

1. Spending a day at the British Museum
2. Hanging out at Kew Gardens for at least half a day, as my fiance has a good friend who works there and is giving us a tour.

Otherwise I don't even know what we're going to do. We're not terribly into the touristy stuff.

Not sure we're really into one big blow out night, since it's at the end of our trip. But I'll take suggestions just in case we're still up to it.

If you are going to the British Museum, Soho and Fitzrovia are a five-to-ten-minute walk away and your best options for food. Koya is amazing and I highly recommend it - it's also on the right side of Soho for the museum. Cay Tre isn't far either, for decent Vietnamese. Dean Street Townhouse is swankier and pricier but has good food. There is a good Korean restaurant called Koba near the museum too; Han Kang likewise. Newman Arms has a nice little pie room if it is cold and/or you want an hearty meal. You are not far from Chinatwon either; I've heard good things about Bar Shu, and others have mentioned good places ITT. If you want a slightly pricier but excellent lunch, Arbutus does a very good three-course lunch for �20 - it's Michelin-starred (I think), so the food is good. Very near the museum in Brunswick Centre is Carluccio's, which is a chain but a decent one, for Italian.

therattle fucked around with this message at 17:31 on Apr 18, 2013

# ¿ Apr 18, 2013 17:24

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The Chinese porcelain room at the museum is amazing.

# ¿ Apr 19, 2013 07:17

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Koba and Han-kang are decent Korean places. Both near TCR (Tottenham Court Road). Dotori near Finsbury Park Station is good too.

# ¿ May 5, 2013 10:37

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Dean Street Townhouse is good for afternoon tea, and not super pricey. I imagine the Wolseley and Delauney do good ones too.

# ¿ May 5, 2013 19:38

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Mr. Wiggles posted:

Delightful supper tonight at Koya - thank you to all who suggested it. Best udon I've had outside of Los Angeles.

Yessss! That's good eatin'. Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry about the lovely weather.

# ¿ May 10, 2013 20:33

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

TorpedoFish posted:

Two separate requests, any suggestions welcome. This is not my first trip to London and I have no problem trekking across the city for good food, because this is the first trip where I have a reasonable amount of money to spend.

1. A good kosher restaurant. I'm assuming there's some around Golder's Green but would love any recommendations. (I'm not strictly kosher, but I try and follow certain rules, and it would be a lovely change from eating out in rural Germany.)

2. Microbrews. Preferably, a bar/pub with a wide selection of micro/craft brews and a kitchen that can serve something both tasty and meat-free. If I can't have both, I'll take a place where I can try at least a couple unconventional new beers.

As kosher goes, limited choices for good. Bevis Marks in the City is OK; Reuben's on Baker St has a casual upstairs and more formal downstairs. Ate upstairs recently. Tastes good but no finesse. Apparently a place called Adafina i think is opening this month. Where? Solly's in GG is good for simple grilled meat dishes I think.

# ¿ May 23, 2013 19:42

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Steakandchips posted:

Going to Goodman at the he wharf today. Never been. Hear the burg is legendary.

"The burg"? Are you too lazy to type an extra two letters? :viggo:

# ¿ May 24, 2013 19:05

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

Stroud Green road, just up from Dotori seems to be getting quite a few new restaurants. I was on the W3 the other day and passed a "slow food and milk bar" being built called Rub (replacing Dixie Chicken, hell yes.)

Intriguing!

I walked past there today but didn't notice! I did have a baby and pram which was distracting me... The nice little newish organic shop at top of SGR is extending into bigger premises a few doors down and will start doing coffee etc, but my allegiance will remain with Vagabond.

# ¿ Jun 25, 2013 16:55

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

EvilMoJoJoJo posted:

Oh hey here's a burger place for us all *not* to go to: http://thethirdestate.net/2013/06/a-victory-against-hipster-colonialism-the-advisory-removes-its-asian-womens-advisory-service-sign/

What utter twats.

# ¿ Jun 26, 2013 09:26

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Great Queen Street does great modern British; interesting enough to be delicious without scaring the horses.

# ¿ Jun 30, 2013 09:05

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

ineptmule posted:

Maybe not the place for this but it's to do with London and food...

Was walking with the missus on Hampstead Heath yesterday and an older guy walked past with a bag full of little langoustine/lobster/strange crustacean things that he claimed to have picked from the pond. Apparently you need special permission?

Was he:
A) Having a laugh and bought them at a fishmonger
B) Insane
C) Poaching freshwater crustaceans
D) All of the above

Edit: Just searched 'Hampstead Pond Crustaceans' and apparently they are crayfish that have been there for a while. People do poach them.

Crayfish, as a second of googling would have confirmed.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9556028/Crayfish-invade-Hampstead-Heath.html
I don't know the legality of catching them but as they are highly invasive I think it should be encouraged.

# ¿ Jul 4, 2013 10:44

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

FIVE GUYS QUEUE REPORT

(from @tehbus )

That's stupid.

# ¿ Jul 4, 2013 13:28

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

@hotdinners says that people in the queue are gonna get something sweet to tide them over while they wait, if that's any consolation! Though I think this might apply to the insane 10am queue only.

They deserve no reward for their idiocy.

# ¿ Jul 5, 2013 09:50

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Had another good meal at Season last week, and my seriously foodie friend and wife loved theirs there the week before.

# ¿ Aug 5, 2013 21:57

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

reality_groove posted:

Where are the best places for sweet things? Ice cream, gelato, desserts etc?

Yauatcha has some amazing French/Chinese pastries for tea.
Gelupo for ice cream. Odono's is also superb.
L'Eto on Wardour St is v good for cakes etc but ridiculously priced.
Princi is good too, and between them is Hummingbird Bakery.
Gail's does some good pastries. Their cinnamon buns are orgasmic.

# ¿ Sep 25, 2013 12:00

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

A chum is coming over from the US and asked me this:

quote:

I've offered to help out with arrangements for the Bachelor evening. Do you know of any good hotel lounges/bars in London for about 12 fellas to catch up and chill out? Just spoke to the groom, and he'd like it to be a place where we can all talk (without shouting), as well as maybe order food service.

I've gone blank. Any suggestions? Thanks!

# ¿ Sep 25, 2013 20:47

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Loving Africa Chaps posted:

If it's for a stag do and they want a swanky hotel they could try the renaissance hotel in st pancras. Bar is pretty cool, the beer comes in pewter tankards and the food is decent but it is loving expensive. �7 a pint expensive.

Thank you!

# ¿ Sep 25, 2013 21:04

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The_Doctor posted:

I have a vegan American visiting and while he's quite capable of finding things to eat on most menus, I thought I'd take him out somewhere he has free reign. Any ideas? Mildred's is the obvious choice, but anywhere else would be appreciated. This is a world unknown to me as I'm too much of a carnivore.

Asian food is often vegan. Cay Tre and Koya in Soho, for instance, have dishes that I'm sure are vegan, albeit unintentionally. Indian food too; think of dal, chana masala, biryanis, naan, etc.

# ¿ Sep 26, 2013 10:49

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

The_Doctor posted:

The couple of times I've been in Brewdog I could barely hear myself think, let alone carry on a conversation.

Is that any different from how you normally are?

# ¿ Sep 26, 2013 15:14

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Lemon Curdistan posted:

Does anyone have any recommendations for a central-ish London (Bond Street is probably as far west as we're willing to go, and Liverpool Street is the eastern limit) restaurant to take someone to for their birthday (so proper sit-down meal rather than something like Meat Liquor)? We both like spicy food as well as generally anything with meat in it. The other person likes shellfish, but I don't (we're both fine with fish, though). We're looking for something that'll work out to ~�30-40 a head, not including wine.

Sadly, Bocca di Lupo is booked out for the night we wanted to go, that was our first choice. I'm leaning towards the Hawksmoor, if only because it's a known quantity, but I know the other person isn't that fond of steak.

I realise this is a bit vague as far as a request goes, but that's why I'm asking - the good food map is a bit hard to use when those are all the restrictions I have.

Great Queen Street

# ¿ Oct 14, 2013 12:19

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ¿ May 15, 2024 03:24

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

knox_harrington posted:

Dunno if this is really the right place for this, but I managed to get my debit card stolen on the way home after dinner + drinks last Thursday and they've completely taken me to the cleaners. Went to Herman ze German on old Compton st and a few bars round soho.

I got some cash out on the way home in Camden and somehow they managed to get my card and pin. All money gone, about £3200, in SE London, mostly in a bookies. Shitheads at the bank gave me a reasonably hard time and someone will call me in 5 days to discuss whether they'll refund the money.

Dean St Townhouse was fairly good for drinks, but the wurst at Herman's were excellent.

They probably targeted you as they recognised you as the well-known performance artist.

That really sucks though.

# ¿ Oct 30, 2013 23:25

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Goons with Spoons > Where to eat in London, England

«‹›6 »