Birthday weekend in London
 

Hello Fodorites !
We are doing a 30-something girlfriend's weekend trip to London England (July 20-23). We are staying in Chelsea, and hoping to see one show (theatre or Shakespearean play) and enjoy one exceptional restaurant moderately priced for a birthday celebration. Any advice out there is much appreciated. Also if there are other suggestions for reasonable bars, cafes, restaurants or special events in the area please send along. All advice is welcome !

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer :)
VM

The only show I saw last month was Wicked but it was excellant. People seem to like Spamalot if that's still going on.

A not too expensive but still good Italian chain is Carluccio's. There's one by the S. Kensington tube station.

The Thai Restaurant & Bar is a tiny little place across the street from the Michelin Building/Bibendum. Also in that area are a few nice little sidewalk cafes.

Pizza Express is a really good pizza chain all over the place. What I've had there is consistently good.

Of course, there is not shortage of pubs & usually less expensive meals are available.

The perennial question...What do you mean by "modestly priced" as what maybe "modest" to an American may not be "modest" in London (which is expensive).

The Phene Arms in Chelsea (which was George Best's local - if that's a recommendation) is a great pub with a really good restaurant upstairs.

Thank you for the replies :)
I am going by "Moderate" in the Fodors world which is considered 30-60GBP (in Canada $75-100 Cdn). If you have any further suggestions please reply!

Happy travelling to all !

For theatre and what's on.

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/shows

For Shakespeare:
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/

Hi VM,

I had a really good meal once at Bluebird on the Kings Rd in Chelsea, but that was a while back.
restaurant http://tinyurl.com/242chl
reviews http://tinyurl.com/226cdn

You could also try the Oxo Tower Brasserie - for good food and a great view over London and the Thames River
restaurant http://tinyurl.com/22brvh
reviews http://tinyurl.com/rraz

Alternatively, you could get out into the English countryside for your birthday meal. I had mine at The Curlew near Bodiam Castle - pics here on my blog (caution, image-heavy page, you may have to wait a moment for them to load)
http://tinyurl.com/ywcc7q

Have fun!

David

or if you want a splurge in what some consider the best restaurant in the world, the Fat Duck at Bray [which is just outside London in Berkshire - I understand that Heston Blumental has recently taken over the pub opposite which is quite a bit cheaper, but still bears his signature].

have a great birthday,

regards, ann

Thank you so much for your replies and links, especially to David & Ann.

My sister had her 40th back in Feb and we agreed to travel from different corners of the world to celebrate in London, her city of choice.

If you have any last thoughts, please send along ... we are flying out Thursday ... V

I haven't been there, but Arbutus in SoHo is getting a ton of buzz and is pretty reasonably priced. I'd love to go.

The Oxo tower is pants - if you want to see the views just go for a cocktail in the bar below the restaurant. Just don't eat there. It is however the subject of what must be the best ever restaurant review (not for the prudish):

http://www.sevitz.com/blog/2003/11/t..._oxo_tower.asp

The Coopers Arms in Flood St is a good pub - popular with the locals.

I have also found out that the Phene Arms has shut - which is a shame, but obviously George Best's death dented bar takings.

It might be a bit steep for your budget but San Lorenzo is good for celeb spotting (it was Princess Diana's favourite, if that counts for anything - she was famoulsy bulimic after all.)

Tom Aitken's and Tom's Kitchen are also good (but not cheap - the Kitchen isn't too bad though)

With that budget, try Bibendum. Or for French, Racine on Brompton Rd. in the vicinity of the V&A.

You are all wonderful with the replies !

I have 2 more questions:
1) If you had 4 days and you wanted to see one really unique site or place in central London where would that be?
2) Any recommendations for some unique and "reasonable" shopping (clothing items ir shoes 20-50 GBP)? I know the chains, just looking more for local deisgners and hoping to maximize on seasonal sales ;)

Thank you thank you thank you !

If by unique you mean not popular with tourists (and reasonably central) I would recommend a couple of the Wren and Hawksmoor churches.

The Sir John Soane museum in Holborn is something esle as is Middle Temple (although since the Da Vinci Code it is hardly unknown).

For "unique" clothing - try camden market or Portobello Rd Flea Markeyt. Also in Notting Hill is teh Notting Hill clothes exchange which sells second hand designer and vintage togs pretty cheaply.

Not unique or off the beaten path at all - but a champagne flight on the Eye is a great way to celebrate at a reasonable price compared to some things you could do.

You get a hostess, champagne, and nice illustrated book for £29.50 pp.

I did the champagne London eye thing, I really enjoyed it and it made it special having the capsule to yourselves with the host dishing out glasses of champagne.It was a thabk you gift for our team in work. We did the london eye followed by a nice meal in a resturant afterwards it was great. I would highly recommend it as a birthday treat.