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Glad to see this thread is back! An informative OP, too. I thought it might be worth mentioning chains, as some people might want to know where they can get some decent-ish food anywhere in London without worrying about going into a random restaurant and being disappointed. As far as pizza/pasta chains, Strada is fairly decent. I can't stand ASK or Pizza Express. GBK isn't bad for burgers, despite being owned by Nando's. I prefer Byron though. When I can think of some more I'll post some.
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Nov 7, 2011 12:21
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Torquemada posted:It's really not, since the entire purporse of this thread is to tell people where to eat in London, removing the 'randomness' entirely. The only place you mentioned worth going to is Byron, and they ain't all that. Additionally, the other places have branches outside London, making your post equivalent to saying 'If you visit New York, you simply must go to an Olive Garden'. Nice strawman. I don't see why this thread can't have both recommendations for independent and decent chain places. Sometimes people might want cheaper food or something they're more familiar or comfortable with, while avoiding lovely places. Sorry if this offends your sensibilities. Anyway, for content, I'd recommend L'absinthe near Chalk Farm, I had a nice meal with my girlfriend a while back. It's a very small place so advisable to book ahead if it's a Saturday evening or something. Lady Gaza fucked around with this message at 17:45 on Nov 7, 2011 |
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Nov 7, 2011 17:40
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therattle posted:Does anyone know any good Ethiopian restaurants in N London? There's a fantastic one on Shoot-Up Hill, but it's a bit far. Neris posted:But, there is apparently a legendary one in West London that does epic tibs so I hear, but I'll need to get forums user Lady Gaza or Kaiho to say what that's called.. Represent. Kaiho showed me one in Ladbroke Grove, it's called Gojo, left out the station, less than a minute up the road. It's not the kind of place I would usually venture into; it's below an off-licence and is a bit run down, so it's not fine dining or anything. It's cheap though (about 6 of us went last time and it came to about £15 a head including a few bottles of beer each), and the food is amazing, the derek and goden tibs are by far the best. The other meat dishes are good too. The staff are lovely, and it's usually completely empty, which is strange. The only time it was busy was when it was filled with Ethiopian people, which I took as a sign it was authentic. I go past it on my bus to/from work and keep meaning to go back. Need to check if they do takeaway... VVV 
Lady Gaza fucked around with this message at 15:43 on Dec 1, 2011 |
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Dec 1, 2011 15:37
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powertoiletduck posted:The Euston/Cider Tap and the Bree Louise (linked earlier) are about a 5 minute walk away from each other, so ideal for cider/real ale drinkers. I think the Bree has gone downhill lately, last few times I've been I've found their beer disgusting. Not a fan of the Tap either, it's always rammed and there are better pubs for ale. I'd recommend the Harp near Trafalgar Square. It gets busy too but their selection is amazing.
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Feb 3, 2012 07:04
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I went to Chili Cool after I came back from China to get some decent Sichuan food, and it definitely was good. I had some lamb skewers which were the spiciest thing I've ever eaten. Unfortunately I somehow ordered tripe or something, which almost made me throw up. edit: not complaining about the restaurant, I just hate eating stomach lining Lady Gaza fucked around with this message at 12:42 on Feb 3, 2012 |
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Feb 3, 2012 12:39
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Neris posted:I think I ordered pasta with tripe in Bocca Di Lupo and it was actually excellent. That's the problem with offal though - unless it's done perfectly the first time you have it you'll be put off forever. That said I probably will always probably be a bit fussy about liver and kidneys. (That's where the stuff that's in your piss is made, etc. ) Yeah I think it wasn't done very well too. It was just pieces of tripe swimming in a really bright orange oil, bleurgh it makes me feel sick thinking about it. Lamb was amazing though so more than made up for it.
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Feb 3, 2012 13:44
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If it's that pub off Stroud Green Road that does Thai food I'd recommend it too, it was fairly decent. The pub and garden were spacious and it wasn't too busy either. I don't remember the road or the name but yeah it might be the one you are talking about. The garden had multiple levels of decking and such.
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Mar 22, 2012 12:39
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Ragingstiffballs posted:Camden is always a dogey place, but there is a good place to eat here and there. Just don't go walking down the river on your own, or with your girlfriend. They will rob you there. What??
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Jul 10, 2012 12:05
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angor posted:The Gate is (unsurprisingly) booked up for the night, so it looks like I'll be visiting Gojo*! Glad you enjoyed Gojo, I found it through a fellow goon and we've been going regularly. The staff are so nice and the food is so cheap and delicious. The other day a meal for 4 cost £30, although we didn't have any alcohol.
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Sep 1, 2012 11:43
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Had a really nice lunch at Da Marios in South Ken the other day for my graduation. I found it on the map from this thread but would like to second that recommendation. Good wine, amazing pasta and pizza, not too expensive either.
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May 4, 2013 12:21
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I once had amazing steak in Buen Ayre in Hackney. Went there with a few friends and two of us shared the Parrillada Deluxe platter; sirloin and rib-eye steaks with sausage, black pudding and provolone cheese. It was absolutely amazing, the steaks were absolutely giant but cooked perfectly. I highly recommend it, I haven't been to Hawksmoor but it was by far the best steak I've ever had. It cost about £45 per person but that included the platter, sides, beer, and some spirits. I'm so hungry now. Lady Gaza fucked around with this message at 15:18 on Jul 25, 2013 |
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Jul 25, 2013 15:14
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What's Buddha Bar in Knightsbridge like? Going there for the office Xmas do.
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Dec 5, 2013 12:20
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I'm going to do that regardless, I was just curious if anyone had tried the food
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Dec 5, 2013 16:23
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Is there any difference between the various hawksmoors in terms of quality? Also would anyone recommend a similar steak place over hawksmoor? Got a birthday meal coming up and we want that kind of food but I thought this thread might have some more suggestions.
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Apr 18, 2014 15:04
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The_Doctor posted:I've been to Seven Dials and Air Street, and Seven Dials is much better by far. There's just something about Air Street I didn't like at all. Even though it had barely been open a couple of months by that point, it had this stuffy, dusty, very dated atmosphere that sucked all the enjoyment out of it. Good to know, thanks! Think I might book Seven Dials then...
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Apr 19, 2014 21:12
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GiantAmazonianOtter posted:I adore Flat Iron, so delicious and such good value. I went there the other week for the normal service (best steak ever, got a giant porterhouse cooked to perfection), but the express menu did catch my eye. I do like a good burger.
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May 27, 2014 16:28
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wickles posted:The Bree Louise No it's terrible now
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Aug 6, 2014 05:45
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I found the beer really flat, stale and tasteless last time I went. Also the pub itself isn't a very nice building.
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Aug 7, 2014 09:18
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Rolled Cabbage posted:I made the mistake of looking at the Time Out website at the weekend and its suggestions were total pants. 50% expensive and obvious hotel restaurants, 50% ???. Like recommending Opium as a dim sum restaurant. Their food is nice, but it is by no stretch of the imagination a restaurant. Might as well as add Mahiki in there too if that's the case. They're most likely sponsored suggestions.
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Nov 24, 2014 13:46
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Not really 'eating' in London but this seems like the best thread for it. Does anyone have recommendations for independent shops where I can pick up decent roasted coffee beans? Ideally round the Holborn area, but most of central would be fine.
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Apr 23, 2015 20:45
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Thanks everyone, I think those shops will be more than enough! I'm probably check them out on my lunch next week.
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Apr 24, 2015 06:00
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Lemon Curdistan posted:Have cocktails Shoryu do nice ramen, I went to the one on Regent St and really enjoyed it. I got the extra-brothy bowel while my partner got the extra spicy.
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Jul 9, 2015 21:37
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I've heard good things about Garufin for steak but haven't been myself yet.
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Jul 29, 2015 13:10
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sweat poteto posted:Where's the best fruit ice cream in London? All the supermarkets are pushing vanilla / chocolate / caramel or B&J marshmellow cookie dough junk. Where can I get a good raspberry ripple (or blackberry, blueberry, apricot, boysenberry (!) ripple for that matter) I'd also be interested in this as I love a good lemon ice cream or sorbet.
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Nov 17, 2015 18:29
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Not so much a dining question but still related to food: Any recommendations for cheesemongers in London? I want to pick up some cheese for my girlfriend that we had when we went to Chile, it seems quite rare and hard to find outside South America so I'd probably need somewhere that's quite specialist.
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Nov 30, 2015 13:08
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It's called Queso Mantecoso. I had a feeling it would be difficult to find  If I can find a decent cheesemongers they might be able to help me find a similar cheese - it was hard but very creamy and buttery.
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Nov 30, 2015 13:30
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Kaiho posted:Found an Ethiopian restaurant to rival the food at Gojo. Zeret Kitchen, SE5. Completely and utterly unexpected, and turns out Ethiopian shiraz is decent! Ooh, I might have to check that out soon. Do they do derek tibs??
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Feb 10, 2016 10:23
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but the main point of afternoon tea is delicious gluten-filled cakes
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Apr 3, 2016 22:49
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I would also recommend Hawksmoor for a roast. I've been to Tayyabs and while it was better than most standard Indian restaurants I didn't find it amazing. I did go to Veeraswamy with work a while back and that was nice but I suppose more pricy.
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Jul 23, 2016 00:23
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Pizza recommendations? Been thinking about the amazing pizza I had in Florence (simple, very quick) and can't really fly back there for dinner.
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Jul 25, 2017 22:30
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Awesome, thanks.
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Jul 26, 2017 18:12
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I went to NY Fold and it was....ok. I suppose I should have anticipated it, being an American-style place, but they were way too heavy on the toppings and the cheese. If I was to go back I'd probably order something a bit simpler, and ask them to cook it for a bit longer - I much preferred the pizza that was closer to the crust as it was crispier. I think Pizza East and Franco Manca are next on my list.
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Jul 31, 2017 18:39
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Yeah I really don't like overloaded pizzas, I find it makes them too dense. Too many toppings means that the dough can feel soggy, and the cheese makes it too heavy. NY Fold also didn't cook the pizzas long enough, which added to this. I had this type of pizza in Florence and it was perfect for me. http://allafiorentina.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gusta-pizza-calabrese.jpg
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Jul 31, 2017 18:48
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Pleas elaborate on the wine story
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Aug 8, 2017 07:05
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Could you have stopped your neighbours drinking your wine? Or asked them to pay for it? Or were they gone by the time your bill came?
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Aug 8, 2017 15:53
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I imagine the tables were close together, or were the kind that are shared between different groups. I believe the wine mix up happened I'm just amazed the OP paid for wine they didn't drink.
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Aug 8, 2017 16:04
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sweek0 posted:Lamb chops. Seconding this
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Nov 29, 2017 20:41
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Korean BBQ recommendations?
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Jan 3, 2018 13:34
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My local chippie is nice but I’m in zone 4 of south London so probably doesn’t count. I even refer to my commute as ‘going into London’.
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Mar 28, 2018 19:34
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What about a lobby of a big and busy hotel? Some have big arm chairs. If it’s got enough people going in and out of the lobby you wouldn’t attract attention.
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Feb 9, 2019 14:03
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