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London: Difference between revisions
→Good Things Nearby
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* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmXzGI0XP7M | * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmXzGI0XP7M | ||
= | = Food and Drink = | ||
London has a full range of culinary experiences ranging from some of the best restaurants in the world through to terrible tourist traps. This is an incomplete guide to some of the eateries in the vicinity of the office. If you have a particularly good — or bad — experience elsewhere, please add it to the wiki to help future Mozillians. | |||
== Coffee == | == Coffee == | ||
* | * Notes - about a minute's walk down St Martin's Lane, this is the closest good coffee shop to the space. Be warned - you aren't going to get a bucket of coffee, like you may from Starbucks - but it's going to be well worth it. If you plan on visiting a few times, or there are a bunch of you then it may be worth getting a loyalty card - 1 free coffee for every 8 stamps. | ||
* Monmouth Coffee ( [http://is.gd/caOQC3] ) excellent espresso and pours. Tiny, quite busy, has communal tables in the back. | |||
* Monmouth Coffee ( [http://is.gd/caOQC3] ) providers of the office coffee beans, this has excellent espresso and pours. Tiny, quite busy, has communal tables in the back. | |||
== Bars and Pubs == | == Bars and Pubs == | ||
=== Close to the space === | === Close to the space === | ||
* The Harp - Quaint little bar usually overflowing with local workers having a pint after work. Very convenient to the space. (Covent Garden, 47 Chandos Place) | * The Harp - Quaint little bar usually overflowing with local workers having a pint after work. Very convenient to the space. (Covent Garden, 47 Chandos Place) | ||
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* Graphic Bar - This bar in Soho stocks 180 types of Gin and serves their gin mixes in paint tins..! (15 minutes, 4 Golden Square) | * Graphic Bar - This bar in Soho stocks 180 types of Gin and serves their gin mixes in paint tins..! (15 minutes, 4 Golden Square) | ||
* Fernandez and Wells - Small wine bar, suitable for groups of two or fewer. (20 mins, Lexington St) | |||
== Chain restaurants == | == Chain restaurants == | ||
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However there are a few ‘safe’ chain restaurants that offer medium range food for medium range price if you’re happy with such compromises. The other benefit of these are that they can often accept large groups at short notice. If you really have to, our recommendations for these are: | However there are a few ‘safe’ chain restaurants that offer medium range food for medium range price if you’re happy with such compromises. The other benefit of these are that they can often accept large groups at short notice. If you really have to, our recommendations for these are: | ||
* Pizza Express - Ubiquitous chain favoured by middle class families, offering a reasonable selection of thin-crust pizza and pasta dishes. | |||
* Wagamama - Fusion Japanese. Not recommended if you are anywhere near china town. | |||
* Nando’s - I have nothing nice to say about this, so maybe someone else could try? | |||
* Jamie’s Italian - Reasonable chain Italian owned by the celebrity chef. Does a selection of pasta, meat and fish dishes but not pizza. Should always have some tables for walk ins (and booking isn't possible on a Friday evening or Saturday), but it's popular so you should be prepared to wait. (2 minutes, 11 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9FB) | |||
Stay away from: | Stay away from: | ||
Steak & Co, Bella Italia, Angus Steakhouse, Prezzo, Spaghetti House, All Bar One, Masala Zone, TGI Fridays | Steak & Co, Bella Italia, Angus Steakhouse, Prezzo, Spaghetti House, All Bar One, Masala Zone, TGI Fridays | ||
== Chinatown == | == Chinatown == | ||
Why would you go to an average chain restaurant when the London space has Chinatown on its doorstep? London’s Chinatown is more Hong Kong-style due to British-Hong Kong historical relations so the food may be a bit different to your SF local. While not nearly as big as San Francisco’s it’s still a good place to get a meal. Try these few: | Why would you go to an average chain restaurant when the London space has Chinatown on its doorstep? London’s Chinatown is more Hong Kong-style due to British-Hong Kong historical relations so the food may be a bit different to your SF local. While not nearly as big as San Francisco’s it’s still a good place to get a meal. Try these few: | ||
* Tokyo Diner - a top lunch choice for London Mozillians, this is a popular Japanese restaurant serving a large selection of unpretentious dishes at reasonable prices. (2 Newport Place, WC2H 7JJ) | |||
* Plum Valley - More modern style Cantonese dim sum (8 minutes, 20 Gerrard St W1D 6JQ) | * Plum Valley - More modern style Cantonese dim sum (8 minutes, 20 Gerrard St W1D 6JQ) | ||
* Abeno Too - Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, a Japanese omelette with your choice of fillings (4 minutes, 17-18 Great Newport Street WC2H 7JE) | * Abeno Too - Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, a Japanese omelette with your choice of fillings (4 minutes, 17-18 Great Newport Street WC2H 7JE) | ||
* Koya - Japanese Udon noodles. Just a note to Californians that Udon is not like Ramen.. it’s better! (10 minutes, 49 Frith Street W1D 4SG) | * Koya - Japanese Udon noodles. Just a note to Californians that Udon is not like Ramen.. it’s better! (10 minutes, 49 Frith Street W1D 4SG) | ||
* Young Cheng - Dim sum and also famous for Lobster noodles (5 minutes, 22 Lisle Street WC2H 7BA) | * Young Cheng - Dim sum and also famous for Lobster noodles (5 minutes, 22 Lisle Street WC2H 7BA) | ||
* Dumplings Legend - Dim sum, and fantastic Peking Duck. Prime-location in Chinatown, but very good (15-16 Gerrard Street London, W1D 6JE) | * Dumplings Legend - Dim sum, and fantastic Peking Duck. Prime-location in Chinatown, but very good (15-16 Gerrard Street London, W1D 6JE) | ||
== | == Burgers == | ||
With the emergence of a fashion for street food, upmarket burger joints have been growing like a mold across London. Despite, or perhaps /because/ of the wealth of choice, the topic of which are acceptable is a topic of much debate amongst London Mozillians. | |||
* Five Guys - American import and reportedly favoured by president Obama. However very few people leave to oval office for careers as food critics, and perhaps with good reason. There seems to be general agreement that the burgers are flavourless and the fries are over-salted. Also, for reasons best left unexplored the interior decor gives the impression that you are eating in a public urinal (1-3 Long Acre, WC2E 9LH). | |||
* Gourmet Burger Kitchen - | |||
* Shake Shack - | |||
* Byron - People disagree about the quality of the burgers, but the Oreo milkshake remains a popular choice. | |||
* Meat Market - Tucked away in the streets behind Covent Garden, this is an outpost of the London street food mini-empire that started with the "MEATwagon" burger van. Good selection of burgers, with the patties medium rare and juicy. The dead-hippie fries are practically a meal in their own right. (The Deck, Jubliee Market Hall Tavistock Street, WC2E 8BE) | |||
* Patty & Bun - Not near enough to the space for lunch, but if you are out and about a better burger than you will find anywhere in the Covent Garden area. Delicious, thick, medium-rare meat in a variety of inventive flavour combinations, sandwiched in a toasted brioche bun. (54 James Street, W1U 1EU) | |||
== Other Restaurants Near the Space == | |||
=== General === | |||
* Mishkins - Jewish cafe/restaurant with a good line on cocktails, busy so small groups only. http://mishkins.co.uk/ | |||
* National Portrait Gallery - The portrait gallery also has a rooftop restaurant open from 10am - 8:15pm http://www.npg.org.uk/visit/shop-eat-drink/restaurant.php | |||
* Terroirs - Wine bar/restaurant offering small plates of French-style food, including charcuterie and cheese, for sharing. http://terroirswinebar.com/ | |||
=== Spanish Tapas === | |||
* Pix (10 mins, 16 Bateman St W1D 3AH) | |||
* Brindisa (20 mins, 46 Broadwick Street W1F 7AF) | * Brindisa (20 mins, 46 Broadwick Street W1F 7AF) | ||
=== Fish & Chips === | |||
===Fish & Chips=== | |||
* Rock and Sole Plaice (10 mins, 47 Endell Street WC2H 9AJ) | * Rock and Sole Plaice (10 mins, 47 Endell Street WC2H 9AJ) | ||
== Meat == | === Meat === | ||
* Bodean’s - American ribs, pulled pork, burgers and so forth to be eaten whilst watching American sport replays (10 Poland Street) | |||
* Pitt Cue Co - The same American BBQ style but more expensive and more exclusive is the (25 mins, 1 Newburgh Street W1F 7RB). | |||
* Hawksmoor - Famous steak restaurant. Hugely busy you’ll almost certainly need to book first and take your largest, most uninhibited credit card. (3 minutes, 11 Langley Street WC2H 9JG) | |||
== Indian / Pakastani / Bangladeshi == | === Indian / Pakastani / Bangladeshi === | ||
One of London's greatest culinary offerings is the wide selection of Indian restaurants. Of particular note: | One of London's greatest culinary offerings is the wide selection of Indian restaurants. Of particular note: | ||
* Veeraswamy - said to be the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the UK. Now, one of the Capital's best with a Michelin star (make sure you're ready for the bill!). (Mezzanine Floor, Victory House 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS) | * Veeraswamy - said to be the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the UK. Now, one of the Capital's best with a Michelin star (make sure you're ready for the bill!). (Mezzanine Floor, Victory House 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS) | ||
* Dishoom - Super authentic Bombay restaurant. Right down to only serving "local" soda pop. And only steps away from the space. (12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9FB) | * Dishoom - Super authentic Bombay restaurant. Right down to only serving "local" soda pop. And only steps away from the space. (12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9FB) | ||
* Red Fort - the best Indian restaurant in Soho, and previous winner of TimeOut's best Indian Restaurant (77 Dean Street London, Greater London W1D 3SH) | * Red Fort - the best Indian restaurant in Soho, and previous winner of TimeOut's best Indian Restaurant (77 Dean Street London, Greater London W1D 3SH) | ||
* Area: Brick Lane (http://goo.gl/maps/oacsF) - synonymous with Indian cuisine in London. Not all restaurants here are worthy of the address however - those of particular note: Aladin (132 Brick Lane) and Cinnamon (134 Brick Lane). | * Area: Brick Lane (http://goo.gl/maps/oacsF) - synonymous with Indian cuisine in London. Not all restaurants here are worthy of the address however - those of particular note: Aladin (132 Brick Lane) and Cinnamon (134 Brick Lane). | ||
= | === Vegetarian === | ||
Most restaurants will offer some vegetarian food, with some — such as Dishoom listed above — offering an excellent selection of meat-free choices. However there are also a few destinations that specialize in vegetarian food. | |||
* | * Food for Thought - A simple lunch/dinner cafe-style restaurant (5 minutes, 31 Neal Street, WC2H 9PR) | ||
* | * Mildred’s Vegetarian - A more upmarket sit-down restaurant. Lexington Street, Soho (15 minutes) | ||
=== Lunchtime Favourites === | |||
There are a few places that are popular to get lunch, but didn't really fit into any other category | |||
* Spud - Baked potato with a selection of fillings that go well beyond the student staples of beans and cheese (26 New Row, WC2N 4LA) | |||
* | * Tobiko - Tiny Japanese takeaway offering either sushi or Donburi (8 Garrick St, WC2E 9BH) | ||
* [http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/ Belgo] - All things Belgian. Their specialities are Moules (for people not fans of seafood, there are plenty of other options) & a [http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/beers huge selection of beers & ales]. Well priced, but often busy, be prepared to wait 30-60 mins on peak nights if you do not have a booking. Atmosphere is pretty unique - most seating is an underground cellar/cavern, serving staff are dressed as trappist monks etc. (5 mins, 50 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LJ) | * [http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/ Belgo] - All things Belgian. Their specialities are Moules (for people not fans of seafood, there are plenty of other options) & a [http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/beers huge selection of beers & ales]. Well priced, but often busy, be prepared to wait 30-60 mins on peak nights if you do not have a booking. Atmosphere is pretty unique - most seating is an underground cellar/cavern, serving staff are dressed as trappist monks etc. (5 mins, 50 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LJ) | ||