London Travel Recommendations

[richardfinegold]

Richard, its many years since I ate out in London and I cant offer any specific recommendations, but you will be spoilt for choice. One thought occurs to me, if you feel a bit adventurous, try some Indian and Chinese restaurants. There are lots of them, the English national dish is said to be chicken tikka marsala (which ironically, isnt Indian at all, it was invented here, or so I am told). However, a word of caution: in my experience, American food is good and plentiful, but a bit bland to my taste. Bland is not a word you can use about our Indian restaurant dishes and if the proprietor says a dish is hot, it'll probably blow your head off!

About 2/3 of our party steadfastedly refuses Indian, and the rest of us are addicted to it. My wife likes it mild and I prefer to eat mine with a fork and fire extinguisher.

[Petrushka]

fork and fire extinguisher.

[Serial_Apologist]

I usually find a toothpick sufficient...

[jean]

...We will be staying at the Millenium Bailey Hotel in South Kensington...

The venerable Polish restaurtant Daquise is in South Ken - I think it still exists.

And for a liturgical feast in the area, and a determined refusal to move into the twentieth century, don't miss Brompton Oratory.

Further afield, still a favourite of mine after many years is the vegetarian Food for Thought in Neal Street, Covent Garden. Very good value, but very crowded at lunchtimes.

...the English national dish is said to be chicken tikka marsala (which ironically, isnt Indian at all...)

No - I think that's the Sicilian version...

.

[umslopogaas]

You may be right, I only report what I hear. Anyway, it doesnt really matter if the dish was invented in India or here, it is indisputably Indian style.

I have an Indian recipe book which lists it, and makes no comment on its origin.

But Sicilian? I thought that was where you went for chicken vendetta?

[P. G. Tipps]

There are lots of them, the English national dish is said to be chicken tikka marsala (which ironically, isnt Indian at all, it was invented here, or so I am told).

English national dish or no, like most other things it is said to have been invented in Scotland ... in the West End of Glasgow, for those committed to pin-point geographical accuracy. It is marvellously tasty fare, for sure, right up there with deep-fried Mars bars.

Still, it's haggis and neeps for some tonight ...

[jean]

You may be right, I only report what I hear...

A cheap joke: masala/marsala. Sorry.

[Flosshilde]

A cheap joke: masala/marsala. Sorry.

But a good one.

[Flosshilde]

Further afield, still a favourite of mine after many years is the vegetarian Food for Thought in Neal Street, Covent Garden. Very good value, but very crowded at lunchtimes.

An understatement. It's usually also packed in the early evening, & I think that the low stools & beanbags that are the seating might be a bit awkward for Richard's mother. If the food (good, but a bit un-reconstructed 70's wholefood-ish) appeals then the best thing would be to buy take away (carry-oot here, to go in the USA) & eat it in the garden/churchyard behind St Paul's Covent Garden (designed by Inigo Jones; his patron, the Duke of Bedford, said he wanted it to be as plain as a barn -Jones replied that it would be the noblest barn in England)

[umslopogaas]

No apologies needed, except perhaps from me, because I missed the connection between marsala and masala. But Marsala is a sort of Madeira-like fortified wine, n'est pas? I must seek out a bottle, I'm very fond of a drop of Madeira.

"Have some Madeira m'dear, you'll find its an excellent year. Now if it were gin you'd be wrong to yes, the evil gin does would be hard to assess. Besides, its inclined to affect my prowess ... so have some Madeira, m'dear!"

With thanks to Michael Flanders.

[richardfinegold]

An understatement. It's usually also packed in the early evening, & I think that the low stools & beanbags that are the seating might be a bit awkward for Richard's mother. If the food (good, but a bit un-reconstructed 70's wholefood-ish) appeals then the best thing would be to buy take away (carry-oot here, to go in the USA) & eat it in the garden/churchyard behind St Paul's Covent Garden (designed by Inigo Jones; his patron, the Duke of Bedford, said he wanted it to be as plain as a barn -Jones replied that it would be the noblest barn in England)

We have 1 card carrying Vegeterian in our party, so my wife was excited to see the recommendation. As for my Mother In Law, if her food didn't say "moo" or "oink" at some time then she won't eat it.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

As for my Mother In Law, if her food didn't say "moo" or "oink" at some time then she won't eat it.

Sounds as if it could do with a couple more minutes in the oven!

[Flosshilde]

We have 1 card carrying Vegeterian in our party, so my wife was excited to see the recommendation. As for my Mother In Law, if her food didn't say "moo" or "oink" at some time then she won't eat it.

Richard, I have a feeling that you'll be sending everyone across to London while you stay back home, relaxed, with a smile on your face!

[richardfinegold]

Richard, I have a feeling that you'll be sending everyone across to London while you stay back home, relaxed, with a smile on your face!

I'm starting to wish that was an option...no, seriously, we all can't wait. Just got my updated passport in the mail. Tally ho!

[Flosshilde]

Sounds like you'll all have a fab time - I hope London is prepared!