Dukey1

Staying at the Savoy; looking at various restaurant reviews. Will have theatre seats two out of three nights so will eat as/where we can (which is our usual).

But for the one free night I have a reservation at the Hawksmoor (Seven Dials) and am wondering between the Brits who are whining about waiters not being in the "proper uniform" so it was impossible to tell them from the patrons (yeah, like that woman sitting at the next table is likely to jump up and refill your water glass) to complaints about "improper chips" maybe I should pack a bunch of SlimFast on the plane.

We'll keep the Hawksmoor res but any other ideas for other nights. Prefer food without movement, eyes, sushi, or "a curry."

Bedar

In a pinch, eat in the Savoy Grill. Glad to hear you're staying there. Did you get a deal ? Please tell.

annhig

you poor thing, Dukey having to slum it at the Savoy.

I'm afraid that if you can afford to stay there, with or without a deal, your restaurant choices are probably going to be out of my price bracket.

I've heard that the Ivy can be quite nice.

Dukey1

Thanks, Bedar, and I read the reviews of the Savoy Grill, also.

I should really know better than worry about any reviews unless they are uniformly poor and that thing about the "improper" uniform sounded, well, so stereotypically British somehow.

Anyway, yes, we got a "deal" I suppose at the Savoy by prepaying we got three nights for the price of two. Normally we stay in Firmdale hotels because we like the locations, etc., but thought we'd give this a try.

Of course, there were a few reviews about how Fairmont has "ruined" the place but we'll see how it goes.

Dukey1

Quite the CONTRARY, Annhig. The hotels I stay in have absolutely NOTHING to do with where I eat and that assumption I find a little off-putting somehow but I also understand why people would make it.

I remember a person here once saying the Savoy is the place to stay, and I quote, "Because it's The Savoy" as if that alone answers everything.

I gather I am getting the reputation of being some sort of pompous a-hole around here so forget I asked.

Tulips

The Delauney is close, that's a nice place. Great schnitzel, and good service, with properly attired waiters.

We will be going to Hawsksmoor next week, another branch.

tower

Dukey:

When first traveling the UK in the 60's when its "food" was a punch line, I seriously considered fasting for the three days we were in London. But even the fast tasted bad.

You may be pompous, but I like grit like that! Keep on truckin'...

jamikins

Dukey - I always use www.toptable.co.uk to find restaurants. They have good reviews and you can search by area and price range. You can even get specials for booking online.

Enjoy!

annhig

Quite the CONTRARY, Annhig. The hotels I stay in have absolutely NOTHING to do with where I eat and that assumption I find a little off-putting somehow but I also understand why people would make it.>>

did you not perceive my tongue was in my cheek, Dukey? anyway, put it down to naked envy on my part. i hope it lives up to its reputation.

<<I remember a person here once saying the Savoy is the place to stay, and I quote, "Because it's The Savoy" as if that alone answers everything.>>

Lauren Bacall obviously thought so - she lived there for years.

talking as we weren't about nearby restaurants, there used to be a really superb indian restaurant just over the other side of the northern end of Waterloo bridge. it looked like nothing, but the food was excellent. perhaps others will know if it's still there.

flanneruk

I think annhig means the India Club at 143, The Strand.

Its glory days - when India was as much ruled from its High Commission in London (a couple of doors away) as from Delhi, its aspiring politicians were learning diluted Marxism at the LSE (ditto) and you couldn't get a decent curry in London - are at least half a century past.

For those of us with a yen for the curry houses of our youth, it's got all the comfort of decently cooked mid-20th century British Indian food, without the flock wallpaper. It's also got the gloom and dankness of an out of season hill resort 50 years after the last memsahib retreated to Bournemouth: every few years I stumble over somewhere similar in the backwoods of once-British Asia.

It's still there. The High Commission staff mostly seen to eat at fusion places in Covent Garden, or in the regional restaurants in whatever Indian enclave of London suburbia they live in. I really wouldn't recommend it to a visitor, unless they studied here in the 60s or 70s and are trying to recreate those student days.

Even for them: if they want a pint of Red Barrel or Skol lager, they've got to bring their own.

annhig

ok, flanner, i think I made it clear that my info was a little dated; if not half a century old, probably 30 years plus. perhaps not the right place for our friend Dukey.

though if it's so bad, i wonder how it keeps going.

bilboburgler

Nothing wrong with the Savoy, I went to school with at least two maitre de there over the years and back when it was associated with the Operas my family was one of the minor shareholders, I very much doubt there would be any confusion about who was a waiter

Still you should be able to get some good chow there, my Dad had to send some peas back once but that was long ago.

When I first read this I thought you might need help fasting. If you are then the Savoy staff will limit your food, protein and carbs as you require, just tell the waiter. It is what Mrs Bilbo does.

Bedar

The American Bar in the Savoy just got listed amongst the 24 Best Bars in the World (Telegraph). Have one o two for us!

Dukey1

Thanks for all the interesting responses. I'm glad nobody brought up my so-called "advanced age" on <B>this</B>thread. If I'm lucky perhaps I'll actually not die from the food in London and live to drive on Britain's "most congested roadway" next year, and on a Sunday no less.

I suspect we may end up having one meal (besides breakfast) at the Savoy but I'll be sure to have a look at the menu first.