Question: what's the most prolific restaurant-type in England today?
Answer: curry houses (no longer the much loved Brit. fish & chip shop!).
In my opinion Britain's reputation as an island inhabited by the culinary challenged is a thing of the past. I don't think that food was ever particularly bad in the U.K., but it certainly lacked any sense of adventure. Today that's all changed, particularly in London.
I read somewhere that the capital has over 7,000 restaurants. I have no idea if that's true but it certainly seems that it could be - there are truly a massive amount of choices. Set out in this post is information regarding a cross-section of restaurants that I personally enjoy visiting when I'm in town; I'm hoping there will be something for all tastes and budgets.
- Okay, let's start with an undisputed classic, Simpsons in the Strand (http://www.simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk/). If you're looking for the quintessential, formal roast beef dinner experience this is it served up in an exclusive, traditional British club-like setting. Simpsons first opened its doors in 1828 and I doubt that its tone has changed much since then, other than women are now admitted to all its rooms!. This will certainly not be an inexpensive dining choice, but if you want to do it up in vintage Brit. style while in London you can't go wrong at Simpsons. There is a definite dress code, and I assume that reservations would always be a good idea. The closest tube station is Charing Cross on the Northern and Bakerloo lines
- A fun, classy (dare I say trendy) fish restaurant is Geales in Notting Hill (http://www.geales.com/); a neighbourhood favorite since 1939. As their web site points out they have two restaurants in London, however I'm only familiar with the Notting Hill location. The restaurant is by no means large and is set back a block or two to the south of Notting Hill High Street which frankly is nothing to write home about. However, the moment one ventures off the High Street things get very cool very quickly. Geales is surrounded by quaint, undoubtedly expensive mews houses, some painted quite vivid colours. Geales is not cheap but not crazy expensive either. Lots of fish choices, including a classic fish & chips. For the younger crowd, it seems like a great place to take a date. The closest tube station is Notting Hill Gate on the Central line.
- My favorite Spaghetti House is located in Sicilian Avenue; it's a family run operation that opened its first restaurant in 1955 - they now have several around London (http://www.spaghettihouse.co.uk/). It's your basic warm, friendly, relatively inexpensive Italian restaurant that specializes in northern Italian cuisine. The lasagna is delicious. Sicilian Avenue is interesting in and of itself - it's a very short, pedestrian only thoroughfare demarcated by classic Italian pillars at either end. The closest tube station is Holborn on the Central line.
- Given that curry houses are so popular in England it would be a shame not to check-out at least one Indian restaurant while in London. The Bengal Clipper (http://www.bengalclipper.co.uk/) is a good call for a number of reasons: it's a great location in the heart of old Butler's Wharf and it's a fairly stylish linen tablecloth restaurant with a wide selection on the menu. The Bengal Clipper is a moderately large and expensive place. A simpler option (perfect for anyone staying up in Lancaster Gate) is Spice of India at 12 Bathurst Street, London W2. Spice of India is a small, neighborhood eatery but the food is excellent. For those that have been reading all posts in this blog will recall that Bathurst Street is perpendicular to the front entrance of The Lancaster Hotel.
- If you are a Gordon Ramsay fan, and I am, why not check-out one (or more) of his twelve London restaurants? (http://www.gordonramsay.com/). Ramsay is an interesting character; he comes from a very modest, somewhat troubled background. As a teenager his chosen career was professional soccer. He joined the Scottish club, Glasgow Rangers, but suffered a bad knee injury fairly early on. Apparently the knee did not heal perfectly and so he was confronted with the choice of either always being known a footballer with a bad knee (presumably affecting his play) or doing something else. He considered joining the Royal Air Force or the police before 'falling' into the restaurant business. He is now at the top of his profession with restaurants on four continents and a TV career. I've only eaten at one of his restaurants, Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, but I have to say it was a great experience and well worth the money. Again, I assume that reservations are always in order at any of his places, and it's probably a good idea to book on-line several weeks in advance if you want a 8.00pm or 9.00pm table. On my next trip to London I've promised myself that I'll be eating at his pub, The Narrow, located in Limehouse (a formerly very dodgy part of East London, but now somewhat gentrified - I hope). The Narrow is located on the banks of the Thames between Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.
- 'Eat' is a chain of inexpensive, high-quality, healthy food lunch places that are to be found all over London and in the food courts of shopping malls (http://www.eat.co.uk/). Each Eat prepares all of it's sandwiches, soup and salads etc. on-site and the offerings have a self-life of no more than 24 hours. Eat is an impressive story: it was started by husband and wife team in 1996, and they now have over 100 locations. If nothing else, in my opinion, they deserve huge kudos for the coming up with the name and getting the web address.
- Marks & Spencers is a very highly regarded chain store with numerous locations throughout Britain; they are know for high-quality products at fair prices. Although they are primarily a clothing store, they have branched out with other product lines including food. Marks & Sparks, as it is affectionately known, is another good place to pick-up a nutritious, tasty sandwich or salad etc. without breaking the bank.
