I'd get the hotel to reserve/do the admin for any nice restaurant that takes a credit card number when people book.
― jedi slimane (suzy), Monday, 4 April 2016 23:55 (Yesterday) Permalink
UUuuuuuugh I so don't want to play the reservations game, but I will if I have to.
OK so current list of restaurant contenders is: St John, Barrafina (no reservations, so we'll try for a walk in), Clove Club, Anchor and Hope, Ledbury, Dinner, Petrus, Ducasse, The Square, Fera, Quality Chop House, Palomar, Honey and Co. Plus I gotta fit in an Indian meal--chowhound mentions Dishroom, Trishna, Gykhana--any thoughts?
Too many restaurants, not enough days
![Frown :( :(](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
xpost Thank you, Suzy. I'll try to narrow down to two "blow-out" meals and ask for reservation help.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Monday, 4 April 2016 23:57 (Yesterday) Permalink
Barrafina rewards those who queue at around noon - there are obnoxious execs that send their PAs down to save them a place, so the key is to beat them to the front.
― jedi slimane (suzy), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 00:08 (12 hours ago) Permalink
Borough Market is a bit crazed - would avoid on weekends as in firm Not Fun territory but weekdays are ok. London is generally a bit shit with food markets as destinations like in Montreal or Paris or whatnot, but they're worth a visit if you're nearby. (Personally I prefer wandering round Selfridge's market or the mahoosive Whole Foods in Kensington but, er, they're not holiday winners.)
Bars - I have hearing damage and like quiet spots - the Connaught and Langham are both have great cocktail menus. I love Duke's in St James which is vv old school (Ian Fleming's old bar) but it's intimate, the staff are friendly, and there's usually lots of interesting non-scumbag posh people to eavesdrop on. I also like Heights in Oxford Circus, which is a merely average bar but has a superb views over London and the new BBC building, especially in the loos. If you can stand it, the Centerpoint bar near your hotel also has an excellent London view, but don't stay for long (and you need to book in advance).
― Chuck_Tatum, Tuesday, 5 April 2016 00:12 (12 hours ago) Permalink
Duke's sounds like my kind of place, for sure.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 00:15 (12 hours ago) Permalink
Any superb coffee near Rosewood? I'm going to need it after all these cocktails.
― mom tossed in kimchee (quincie), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 00:16 (12 hours ago) Permalink
The Espresso Room is my local, and is still pretty good even though the owner changed last year. I also go to Fleet River Bakery which is about 100m from the Rosewood (and they do nice coffee in the Holborn Delicatessen onsite).
― jedi slimane (suzy), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 00:25 (12 hours ago) Permalink
I probably wouldn't make Dishoom a priority, especially as you can't book. I hear very good things about Gymkhana and Trishna but they are edging towards one off blowout territory.
I would also avoid anything with a no-bookings policy, which rules out Dishoom. This does include the Anchor and Hope BUT that is basically a pub and it's easy enough to drink in relative comfort if there isn't a table. (NB I love the Anchor and Hope).
Booking most of the other places online should be pretty straightforward.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 5 April 2016 08:13 (4 hours ago) Permalink
Maybe don't go to Borough Market, or if you do, prioritise going to Maltby Street and/or Druid Street market first. Better food. Borough has more of the quality of an event but the cooking at the food stalls is p shit.
I wouldn't avoid anything with a no-bookings policy - not least Barrafina or Anchor and Hope, which are pretty easy to get into. And make it easy to wait as you say. The no-bookings hell is more like burger restaurant du jour.
The queue in Barrafina is like "grand I'll have a glass of wine", unless it's manic, which it doesn't tend to be - the Drury Lane one is p easy to get into anytime at lunch, and before 1930 or so on weekdays. Even after that it's not bad. Barrafina is actually really nice for a weekend lunch imo - it has a very bright and relaxed feeling.
I wouldn't specifically go to that area to go to Anchor and Hope but given it's beside the Young Vic which was my theatre recommendation, then I probably would.
― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 09:16 (3 hours ago) Permalink
If you do end up at Maltby Street, there are a few good restaurants there. A small St John, a tapas bar called Tozino, and a wine bar called 40 Maltby Street. There are also many many breweries around that area which open on a Saturday, if either of you are into beer. If you only tried one, I'd go to the Kernel. They get a bit overcrowded but it can be a fun thing to do.
― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 09:18 (3 hours ago) Permalink
Personally I prefer wandering round Selfridge's market or the mahoosive Whole Foods in Kensington but, er, they're not holiday winners.)
lol I was actually going to say maybe go to Selfridges, I mean if you're on the kind of holiday where shopping might appeal. Also Liberty. Beautiful building and a nice shop.
― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 09:21 (3 hours ago) Permalink
I wouldn't specifically go to that area to go to Anchor and Hope but given it's beside the Young Vic which was my theatre recommendation, then I probably would.
Or if they're on the South Bank, from which it's a short walk, especially given most South Bank food options are best avoided.
It should be pointed out that if you're in Holborn you're in really excellent walking territory, right between the City and the West End, with Bloomsbury to the north and the aforementioned walk down to the river southwards. In fact you're really well placed for a lot of zone one stuff. Bloomsbury especially can be quite peaceful and worth a wander round if things are getting hectic.
― Matt DC, Tuesday, 5 April 2016 09:30 (3 hours ago) Permalink
yeah otm. you can walk everywhere from there. another recommendation - i'd probably go to the delaunay or its small adjoining cafe - it's very old school, viennese themed but essentially quite british, brilliant service. particularly good for breakfast.
― japanese mage (LocalGarda), Tuesday, 5 April 2016 09:47 (3 hours ago) Permalink