Wagamama - we ate here every day. there are three locations. one near the
shaftsbury (where rent is), one near soho, and one someplace else. japanese
soba noodes, etc. the best, cheapest and cleanest restaurant in london.
there's a queue tho, no booking allowed. be prepared. my favorite dishes: kare
lomen (shrimp curryish but light and delicious) and yasai cha han (rice, fried
tofu, corn, scallions, etc.). When you get the yasai cha han, ask for oil and
soy sauce and mix it in. And always get fruit juice. And edamame. What I
wouldn't give to eat here again... cafeteria style seating, and a high
turnover, so be prepared for a quick meal (30-45 mins unless they're really
busy). Plus the food comes up as it's ready, not in order usually...
Food For Thought - Really cheap veggie takeout on Neal Street. Like a lower-
rent Angelika's kitchen. VERY VERY Cheap. Cheapest, perhaps, besides
McDonalds. Not open very long; there are a few places to sit inside but it's
cramped and you'll usually end up having to share a seat. But the food is
better than it looks.
Balans - in Soho. It's a gay area, so the waiters are all gay and most of the
clientele is too, it's open really late (after hours you have to pay a few
quid for entrance cause they serve liquor after they're suppoed to) and the
food is really good. It's basic continental fare: pastas (penne arribiata,
etc.), steaks and chicken dishes, great desserts. If you're tired of British
food you won't find it here. Be prepared to be stared at. There's one waiter
that looks like Johnny Depp that likes to kiss people. Thankfully, he didn't
kiss me. But i watched it happen to several friends..
La Pont De La Tour - REALLY expensive. The second most $$ on this list.
It's right by the Tower Bridge, ont he South Bank. It's really good. I would
say go there with your parents. Make a booking. It's a fancy expensive
restaurant. Other restaurants of this ilk are Bluebird (which is VERY nice -
not as beautiful decorated but better food, IMHO) and other Conran's
restaurants.
Oxo Tower - THE restaurant in London right now, also the most expensive.
Bookings are gone months in advance. The foods the same as you'll find in ALL
upscale British eateries (like the Conran's restaurants, La Pont, Bluebird,
etc.) - eclectic continental. But the view can't be beat in all of london.
If you can't get into or can't afford Oxo Tower, try the Brasserie - it's the
same view, just half the price (they share the space). The Brasserie is easier
to make bookings for. You must go here, if just for the view: have a drink if
that's all you can afford.
Giotto - If you're really lonely and miss solid Italian food, this is right on
Oxford Street near Wagamama and the Shaftsbury theatre. REALLY cheap, and
great american italian fare. they make EXCELLENT bruscetta, and I loved their
gnocchi with cream and tomato.
Wok Wok - On Frith street in Soho. Very trendy, medium priced (you could
afford it yourself, i'd imagine). Make sure you get the mango juice - it's
freshly squeezed and really thick. Asian cooking, but unlike anything you'd
expect. Small menu, but everything's pretty good. The waitstaff look like the
negatives for the Mondrian staff (i.e. dressed in black).
Pharmacy - Go here for a drink. Way up in Notting Hill. Restaurant designed
by Damian Hirst. See and be seen place. But also a place to see; I'm sure
you've heard about it, or will. Drinks in beakers, etc.
Vereswamy - Don't trust just ANY Indian in the city. This is the oldest, and
in my opinion, the best. Also not that expensive. One of my favorites in
London; sad I didn't get there more than once.
Live Bait - The BEST seafood in London. There are two locations, one in
Waterloo (South Bank) and one in Covent Garden, right off the Strand next to
the Lyceum theatre. Menu changes daily. Semi-expensive, but worth it.
Really, really great.
Orso - 50 feet up the street from Live Bait. Yes, there's one in NY but this
menu differs. It's expensive, of course, ut worth it. Also worth it: stuffed
courgette flowers. Try em.
Joe Allen's - in the alleyway between Live Bait and Orso. I know it sounds
cliche, but go here. It's open late, it's always got famous people, and the
food can't be beat - MUCH better than its NY counterpart. Make a booking. A
good place to have a long, long dinner.
Nobu - off Hyde Park. Better than the NY counterpart. Easier to get into.
Get the cod with miso appetizer. You need a booking, so book in advance. VERY$$.
Yuzo - looks are decieving. really good sushi, on monmouth street (off seven
dials). i didn't get sushi here, tho. i got the chicken tatsua - which was
really good. and if you ask nicely they'll make salmon that way too. it's not
on the menu, but it's worth it. Not very $$, but not cheap, either.
Juice - off of the seven dials, in covent garden. your basic semi-homo juice
bar (smoothies and stuff) with great soups and sandwhiches (i got the cheddar
with mango chutney regularily). oh, and if they have the tarragon lemon
chicken soup - you MUST buy it. a really good atmosphere here, and you can
smoke, and it's not crowded.
Pret a Manger - AMAZING, cheap, sandwhiches. eat here once a day, you'll want
to. it's really, really good. the ONLY sandwiches i'd trust in all of the city
(and they're all over the city).
Seattle Coffee Co. - the ONLY place to get coffee. like starbucks, but better.
try their caramel mochas. they're everywhere in the city; the ones i haunted
were on longacre and endell street, and right off of waterloo bridge on the
strand. My Old Dutch Pancake House - more like crepes, with chicken and meat and
stuff. crazy but fun, won't break the bank.
CIGARETTES
are the american equivalent of 5.50 a pack there... that's right, a PACK. And
their tobacco sucks. So, bring over the two cartons that you can duty free,
but if you desperately need to get cheaper cigarettes, i know a place... and
even though i don't smoke anymore, i can still be helpful...
MONEY ALWAYS
change your money over the ATM. NEVER at a changeover place, or a
British bank. The exchange rate is the best on ATMs and you don't get a fee.
Also, know your password for your ATM machine by numbers -- they don't do
letters over there, they're not even printed.
MOVIE THEATRES
Buy Time Out, of course. But they are EXPENSIVE (movies, that is). Seriously,
after 5pm and on weekends, they're the equivalent of 12-16 dollars. But
before, they're cheaper (@4-6 dollars). Best cinemas are: Odeon West End and
Odeon Leicester Square (HUGE). Empire (in Leicester Square) -- Screen #1. 2
and 3 are normal-sized. ABC Shaftsbury -- HUGE (both screens) and amazing. I
personally love the Warner Village, just because it reminded me of home, but
it was WAY too expensive most of the time. The Virgin cinemas are allright.
Stay away from the Odeon Mezzanine, Swiss Center or Panton Street if you can-
they're smaller than the Quad. But, sadly, most often the movies you'll want
to see will be there. The Shafsbury is by far my favorite cinema there. It's
just plush. Time Out lists the # of seats in the screens, believe it or not,
so that helps.
BUY ME STUFF AT
Lush-- Covent Garden Marketplace. Where I get my bath stuff. So do Julia
Roberts and Cameron Diaz and other notables. Please bring me stuff. Right now
I want snow cake soap.
National Theatre Bookshop - Best theatre bookshop around. Great selection of
published plays.
Army Navy Store - off the Seven Dials. On the street where Juice is. Go in
there, it's cheap. Good clothes.
