Where to eat in London, England

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

Neris: Mar 7, 2004; don't you dare use the word 'party' as a verb in this shop

peanut- posted:

Also, from reading through the last couple of pages this thread is like a Kentish Town goons convention.

Lol, this amuses me so deeply. Pint in the Torriano? (Best local in the area, imo.)

I haven't been to chicken shop but some diehard Nandos devotees (yes, they exist) in my office were MASSIVELY unimpressed. Probably says more in favour of Chicken Shop though, tbh. Sounds like I might have to give it a shot.

I went to Wigwambam last night for the opening thing, on top of the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch. Very very high wanker % but INSANELY good food - pulled pork and roast venison and boar sausage in a bap with really lush gravy (�4) in a giant teepee on top of a pub, with smoke and firepits and smores and a lovely view and lots of covered areas to smoke. Really cool.

I recommend the hot buttered rum, in particular. Apparently they're going to be doing hot chocolate with absinthe too (none on offer yesterday) though steer clear of the lemon whiskey fudge thing, tastes like lemsip.

# ? Oct 26, 2012 13:01

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# ? Apr 20, 2024 00:33

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Neris posted:

Oh poo poo, this reminds me. I went The Cube Electrolux thing for a work lunch (the most amazing treat in the world) the other day and it was ASTOUNDING. This extrodinary glass building shoved on the side of the Royal Festival Hall looking over the river. Shame the weather was pissing it down.

Look at the menu!

Apparently it's worth £175 a head for a lunch like this. The chef kept coming out and talking us through the food, the wines were matched, the waiter would crouch and explain to us all why the tastes suited one another and why.

The best part was easily the salmon, my god. I spent forever working my way through that beautiful thing.

(Problem with a six course taster menu with matching wines and champagne on arrival is by the time you get to pudding you're so lashed you can't really taste it though.)

That sounds AMAZING. :jealous;

Does anyone have a recommendation for Sunday lunch in West End, preferably near Holborn, for godparents in their late 60s/early 70s who appreciate good food? I've booked the Delaunay but feel like I might be missing something.

# ? Oct 28, 2012 23:12

distortion park: Apr 25, 2011

therattle posted:

That sounds AMAZING. :jealous;

Does anyone have a recommendation for Sunday lunch in West End, preferably near Holborn, for godparents in their late 60s/early 70s who appreciate good food? I've booked the Delaunay but feel like I might be missing something.

Dabbous is nearer Holborn and would be pretty cool, no idea if you'd be able to get a table though. Their lunch menu is only �26 for four courses.

Otherwise the Savoy Grill is both good and similar to Delauney. What's wrong with Delauney though?

# ? Oct 28, 2012 23:20

Paragon8: Feb 19, 2007

Neris posted:

I haven't been to chicken shop but some diehard Nandos devotees (yes, they exist) in my office were MASSIVELY unimpressed. Probably says more in favour of Chicken Shop though, tbh. Sounds like I might have to give it a shot.

I will never understand the cultural fascination with Nandos and why people are so compelled to tweet/facebook when they're there.

# ? Oct 29, 2012 03:08

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

pointsofdata posted:

Dabbous is nearer Holborn and would be pretty cool, no idea if you'd be able to get a table though. Their lunch menu is only £26 for four courses.

Otherwise the Savoy Grill is both good and similar to Delauney. What's wrong with Delauney though?

Thanks. Delaunay is probably spot-on especially as we have a baby with us; the only issue is I could only get a table at 1:30 which is a bit late. Was just wondering if I'd missed anywhere.

# ? Oct 29, 2012 09:02

Spuckuk: Aug 11, 2009; Being a bastard works

Paragon8 posted:

I will never understand the cultural fascination with Nandos and why people are so compelled to tweet/facebook when they're there.

It's the cheapest 'restaurant' that doesnt scare people away with things like vegetables or flavour.

I'd rather eat KFC if push came to shove, least they have gravy (northern prejudice).

# ? Oct 29, 2012 14:23

distortion park: Apr 25, 2011

Spuckuk posted:

It's the cheapest 'restaurant' that doesnt scare people away with things like vegetables or flavour.

I'd rather eat KFC if push came to shove, least they have gravy (northern prejudice).

Same here (well not the northern bit). IMO Nandos has nothing to offer over a traditional fast food place and is about twice the price. Leon on the other hand is worth paying for and doesn't pretend to be a proper restaurant.

e: \/\/\/ Maybe it's just me then, but I've always found their chicken a bit bland (like most chicken) with all the flavour coming from their sauce, which is only OK. If it was cheaper I wouldn't mind, but as a student I can get a burger from GBK for a fiver, which is infinitely better. Or go to some cheap ethnic restaurant for the same price as Nandos. I still eat there occasionally, but when it's my choice.

distortion park fucked around with this message at 17:49 on Oct 29, 2012

# ? Oct 29, 2012 16:00

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Nonsense. Nando's is pretty good. The chicken is tasty and free-range, the chips are good, and so are most other sides. Its cooked to order and not sitting in a heating cabinet. It's decent-quality proper food: miles better than a KFC or (insert US state or descriptor here) Fried Chicken. I don't love it or post on FB about it, but I eat at Nando's every now and again and I enjoy it. I'm pretty picky, by the way.

therattle fucked around with this message at 16:54 on Oct 29, 2012

# ? Oct 29, 2012 16:32

Loving Africa Chaps: Dec 3, 2007; We had not left it yet, but when I would wake in the night, I would lie, listening, homesick for it already.

On saturday i went to spuntino and christ it was good. Had to wait 20 minutes for a seat but had some great mixed drinks whilst waiting. For those who don't know it's basically new york tapas so you have to order a few dishes which can get expensive fast. We chose mac and cheese which was a good shout as it was nice and filling if a little on the bland side and under seasoned in comparison to the other offerings. The sliders were incredible, we got the pulled pork with pickled apple and the beef with bone marrow which is the best burger thing masquerading as a burger i think i've ever eaten, shame it's so small. A salad made it seem slightly healthier then it was went for the ham hock one which was beautiful although there were several others i could have gone for.

Food+drinks for two was �56 and absolutely worth it, 100% going back to work my way through the rest of the menu.

# ? Oct 29, 2012 18:25

tentish klown: Apr 3, 2011

St John in Soho went into administration at the end of last week - does anyone know if this means they're closing down or will they be doing a behind-the-scenes restructuring while trading as normal?

# ? Oct 29, 2012 18:35

Paragon8: Feb 19, 2007

therattle posted:

Nonsense. Nando's is pretty good. The chicken is tasty and free-range, the chips are good, and so are most other sides. Its cooked to order and not sitting in a heating cabinet. It's decent-quality proper food: miles better than a KFC or (insert US state or descriptor here) Fried Chicken. I don't love it or post on FB about it, but I eat at Nando's every now and again and I enjoy it. I'm pretty picky, by the way.

Yeah, it's not *bad* but just everyone bangs on it about it like it's the second coming. Like the obsession with percy pigs. It might just be that I'm in a weird niche industry that's unreasonably obsessed with Nandos and Percy pigs.

For the price point of a Nandos I'd probably take Wagamamas over them every time for mid-tier chain dining.

# ? Oct 30, 2012 01:10

powertoiletduck: Feb 19, 2004; dance dance dance

Byron is the king of mid-tier chain dining.

# ? Oct 30, 2012 01:17

RazorBunny: May 23, 2007; Sometimes I feel like this.

powertoiletduck posted:

Byron is the king of mid-tier chain dining.

While we're not exactly burger aficionados, my husband and I really like a good hamburger and have tried a wide range. We both thought the burger at Byron was one of the better chain burger-place burgers we've had. There are a lot of American burger chains that I'd place in the same tier as Byron that have much lower quality. The fries were really good, too.

The onion rings were ridiculously greasy and under-seasoned, though.

# ? Oct 30, 2012 01:59

NLJP: Aug 26, 2004

Been invited to Morgan M at the Barbican tomorrow night! The reviews are on the upper end of decent so I'm really looking forward to it.

Any of you been and can tell me what to look out for?

# ? Oct 30, 2012 02:31

distortion park: Apr 25, 2011

RazorBunny posted:

While we're not exactly burger aficionados, my husband and I really like a good hamburger and have tried a wide range. We both thought the burger at Byron was one of the better chain burger-place burgers we've had. There are a lot of American burger chains that I'd place in the same tier as Byron that have much lower quality. The fries were really good, too.

The onion rings were ridiculously greasy and under-seasoned, though.

The best thing at Byron is their courgette fritters. I wish more places did them.

# ? Oct 30, 2012 11:17

MOAR: Mar 6, 2012; Death! Put your jacket on or you'll get frostbite!

NLJP posted:

Been invited to Morgan M at the Barbican tomorrow night! The reviews are on the upper end of decent so I'm really looking forward to it.

Any of you been and can tell me what to look out for?

Quality place, little too formal for me. Seared Monkfish and a Crab Millefeuille thing I remember as really nice, not much into desserts not sure what I had.

The wine was really good as well.

# ? Oct 30, 2012 16:19

therattle: Jul 24, 2007; Soiled Meat

Byron is pretty good. I'm no fan of chains but they are rather decent. A good £3-4 more per meal than Nando's though, which I do prefer to wagamamas - haven't eaten there for years. I can't say I've ever bragged about eating at Nando's though!

# ? Oct 30, 2012 23:49

sweek0: May 22, 2006; Let me fall out the window
With confetti in my hair
Deal out jacks or better
On a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets
But I lie about my past

Mid-tier chain dining discussions are required to have Wahaca mentions, JFYI.

Wahaca is pretty good. Not authentic in any way but then again the whole striving for authenticity thing is also a bit silly.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 00:11

cyberia: Jun 24, 2011; Do not call me that!
Snuffles was my slave name.
You shall now call me Snowball; because my fur is pretty and white.

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 :psyduck:

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.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 00:54

Vlex: Aug 4, 2006; I'd rather be a climbing ape than a big titty angel.

sweek0 posted:

Mid-tier chain dining discussions are required to have Wahaca mentions, JFYI.

Wahaca is pretty good. Not authentic in any way but then again the whole striving for authenticity thing is also a bit silly.

I've had Wahaca recommended to me in the same breath as Mestizo by actual Mexicans (plural, on separate occasions). Make of that what you will, I love the place.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 00:57

Neris: Mar 7, 2004; don't you dare use the word 'party' as a verb in this shop

Pretty daycent post on Mexican food in London here. As of yet, I'm not convinced by anything I've tried so far, but I think there's a good chance I simply don't like Mexican.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 11:16

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

MOAR: Mar 6, 2012; Death! Put your jacket on or you'll get frostbite!

Come on guys, what about the Burrito? You have to love a Burrito!

# ? Oct 31, 2012 12:41

The_Doctor: Mar 29, 2007; "The entire history of this incarnation is one of temporal orbits, retcons, paradoxes, parallel time lines, reiterations, and divergences. How anyone can make head or tail of all this chaos, I don't know."

I like the Taco Bell end (fnarr) of Mexican food, ie, cheap and horrible and great, but the Wahaca end does nothing for me, either.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 14:58

drgitlin: Jul 25, 2003; luv 2 get custom titles from a forum that goes into revolt when its told to stop using a bad word.

cyberia posted:

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

It's South African, not Portuguese. Well, it's technically Mozambiquian, but either way, Africa, not Europe.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 19:04

Spuckuk: Aug 11, 2009; Being a bastard works

Neris posted:

Pretty daycent post on Mexican food in London here. As of yet, I'm not convinced by anything I've tried so far, but I think there's a good chance I simply don't like Mexican.

Theres a place near victoria that does a mean burrito, and contrary to that article, it's run by a guy from california. (Picante) Definitely on the fast food end of the spectrum, but then that's all I really want from mexican food.

They're right about the portions being smaller than in america but, uh, thats all cheap restaurants, it's half the reason there aren't as many fat fuckers here.

Good chance you dont like Mexican food Neris, nowt wrong with that.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 19:58

Spuckuk: Aug 11, 2009; Being a bastard works

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.

Thats how most people think of it here, I hope.

And their chips are crap.

# ? Oct 31, 2012 19:59

cyberia: Jun 24, 2011; Do not call me that!
Snuffles was my slave name.
You shall now call me Snowball; because my fur is pretty and white.

drgitlin posted:

It's South African, not Portuguese. Well, it's technically Mozambiquian, but either way, Africa, not Europe.

In Australia they lean heavily on the Portugese angle; I don't think I've ever heard or read that it has South African / Mozambiquian origins.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 00:34

Randyslawterhouse: Oct 11, 2012

Loving Africa Chaps posted:

On saturday i went to spuntino and christ it was good.

Seconding this. Went with the wife earlier in the year and the food was brilliant.
We got there around late lunch-time on a weekday, so managed to get a seat straight away, but expect to queue at more popular times.

We tried a decent selection of the tapas-y dishes, which were all good, but the truffled egg on toast really stood out. It was a huge toast doorstop, egg in the middle, and truffle cheese grilled on top - like an unfathomably brilliant cheese on toast. The peanut butter and jam ice cream sandwich is also definitely worth a try.

The cocktails are worth a mention too - first time I've seen a sazerac outside of New Orleans and it was really well done, even it did come in a hipster-friendly pewter teacup.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 01:48

Spuckuk: Aug 11, 2009; Being a bastard works

cyberia posted:

In Australia they lean heavily on the Portugese angle; I don't think I've ever heard or read that it has South African / Mozambiquian origins.

I know a few South africans, and they seem pretty sure it's originally from SA.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 12:56

sweek0: May 22, 2006; Let me fall out the window
With confetti in my hair
Deal out jacks or better
On a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets
But I lie about my past

Spuckuk posted:

I know a few South africans, and they seem pretty sure it's originally from SA.

Ehh, just look at Wikipedia.

Nando's is a South African casual dining restaurant group originating from the Mozambiquan-Portuguese community with a Portuguese/Mozambiquan theme.

South African restaurant meaning that that's where they were founded, not that they serve South African cuisine.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 13:15

MOAR: Mar 6, 2012; Death! Put your jacket on or you'll get frostbite!

sweek0 posted:

Ehh, just look at Wikipedia.

Nando's is a South African casual dining restaurant group originating from the Mozambiquan-Portuguese community with a Portuguese/Mozambiquan theme.

I Learned something right there. It's actually a nice idea, but I always find the chicken is too cold by the time it gets served, I hate this anywhere, but in my experience in Nando's it is always the case.

Different food, but I would always go to a "Zizzi" over a Nando's.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 13:33

Mousepractice: Jan 30, 2005; A pint of plain is your only man

The worst chips I ever had in my life were from Nandos in the Brunswick Centre. By contrast, I had take-out from Chicken Shop the other night, and it was top stuff. Really crunchy chips, well-roasted juicy bird, and good hot sauce. I reckon it works better as a takeaway, eating in there is a little too cramped. Just don't bother getting the salad or slaw to take home, both are easily replicated at home in seconds.

On the subject of takeaway (in the eating out thread, no less), is anyone else a fan of Kris Wines on York Way? If you're anywhere near Camden Road / Holloway / Kentish it's an important destination. They stock more amazing beers than you could hope to sample in one blurry, cirrhotic lifetime.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 17:52

sweek0: May 22, 2006; Let me fall out the window
With confetti in my hair
Deal out jacks or better
On a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets
But I lie about my past

Mousepractice posted:

The worst chips I ever had in my life were from Nandos in the Brunswick Centre. By contrast, I had take-out from Chicken Shop the other night, and it was top stuff. Really crunchy chips, well-roasted juicy bird, and good hot sauce. I reckon it works better as a takeaway, eating in there is a little too cramped. Just don't bother getting the salad or slaw to take home, both are easily replicated at home in seconds.

On the subject of takeaway (in the eating out thread, no less), is anyone else a fan of Kris Wines on York Way? If you're anywhere near Camden Road / Holloway / Kentish it's an important destination. They stock more amazing beers than you could hope to sample in one blurry, cirrhotic lifetime.

Yes it's an awesome shop.

Very expensive but worth going to every now and then for the awesome variety. The actual wines are great too. It feels like supermarkets have no more decent wines left under �8 these days, and this place comes in really handy for that.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 18:22

Spuckuk: Aug 11, 2009; Being a bastard works

Nelson Wines near South Wimbledon station has a pretty amazing selection of beer. Walked past there dozens of times in two years before poking my head in as well. D'Oh!

# ? Nov 1, 2012 18:32

Gegil: Jun 22, 2012; Smoke'em if you Got'em

Any suggestions for a Pub / Restaurant that is worth visiting in Southwark London?

# ? Nov 1, 2012 18:48

ynohtna: Feb 16, 2007; backwoods compatible; Illegal Hen

Gegil posted:

Any suggestions for a Pub / Restaurant that is worth visiting in Southwark London?

It's been quite a while since I last noshed'n'sloshed up there, but Baltic always hit the spot for me whether I was with friends, family-types, colleagues or potential clients.

ynohtna fucked around with this message at 19:02 on Nov 1, 2012

# ? Nov 1, 2012 18:56

Gegil: Jun 22, 2012; Smoke'em if you Got'em

Thanks you so much! Baltic looks great.

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

# ? Nov 1, 2012 19:12

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

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# ? Apr 20, 2024 00:33

drgitlin: Jul 25, 2003; luv 2 get custom titles from a forum that goes into revolt when its told to stop using a bad word.

MOAR posted:

I Learned something right there. It's actually a nice idea, but I always find the chicken is too cold by the time it gets served, I hate this anywhere, but in my experience in Nando's it is always the case.

Back when Nandos first opened in the UK it was great, although their chips always tasted like oven chips but with peri peri seasoning. I moved to the US in 2002, and the last time I ate at one in London was Christmas 2003 at the O2 center on Finchley Road and it gave me proper food poisoning. Then we moved to DC a few years ago and they started opening up here. It was a nice taste of home the first few times but I find the chicken has a really odd texture so haven't been in a while.

But as wikipedia says, they're def. South African. There's even a poster signed by Nelson Mandela in my local one.

# ? Nov 1, 2012 21:04

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