TexasAggie

Before everyone slams bigboy from Arkansas, do keep in mind that salaries are almost always adjusted for cost of living. So while it is very true that the cost of living in NYC and Europe is much higher than in Arkansas (and thus having a net worth of a million isn't much to speak of), the average salary is accordingly much higher in these areas. Amassing a net worth of a million dollars really does mean something in an area with a very low cost of living.

m_kingdom2

All this talk of money, and comparisons, oh how vulgar it all is. Who cares how much someone has?

Tallulah

m_kingdom1:

Umm...I think that it was in fact you who asked for a definition of 'rich'...? But I must concede that there is something of a 'tongue-in-cheek' tone to your query.

However I do agree that discussing money is terribly vulgar. Hence my response.

rockhopper7

TexAggie, It's clear to me the singular reason most of the repeat posters are here is to tout their own perceived financial & travel superiority. That can only be achieved by putting down ikarpiloff and bigboy. It's a sport on this forum with m_kingdom being the clear leader.

And what is this beau business? Ewww.

m_kingdom2

Absolutely.

P_M

Here's my definition of rich: Rich means being happy, healthy, surrounded by people you love, and able to do the things you want to do in life. Based on that, I am very rich. If one does not have these things, then they are very poor indeed, regardless of what their bank statement says.

m_kingdom2

As I always say, people living in the Mediterranean are always rich because they have the sun.

Patrick

Pret a Manger was mentioned for coffee, but it is oh so much more. It is a nice place for a cheap and good breakfast. They sometimes have wonderful straight from the oven croissants filled with bacon, cheese, and tomatoe (I became addicted, but then two years ago my Pret didn't have them -- thankfully this year they were back). They also have more healthy food like granola/fruit/yoghurt combinations. And don't be put off by limiting yourself to standard "breakfast" items. There's nothing wrong with one of their smoked salmon sandwiches, or chicken and bacon, or even a container of sushi for breakfast!

mclaurie

Lordy, lordy. It's amazing how a simple request for breakfast turns into a major cause celebre about almost everything except breakfast.

When we stayed in that area we found a place called Vingt Quatre on Fulham Rd. It's a bit of a hike (near the Gloucester Rd tube) but it's open 24/7 and had reasonable eggs at a reasonable (but not cheap) price along with other English breakfast fare like beans on toast.

Tulips suggestions are good. There's also a Richoux (part of a chain) right across from Harrods that serves breakfast all day.

Tallulah's point about some of these places being too small to be listed in guides is true. On my last stay at a "posh" hotel (the Landmark hotel in Marylebone)where they did offer some exorbitantly priced breakfast, we found a small "local" place directly across from the back of the hotel and across from the Marleybone train station serving a well made hot breakfast.

Despite that, you should look at www.hardens.co.uk/ an excellent restaurant guide. Doing a search there a number of places already mentioned (Eat, Pret a Manger, Richoux) are mentioned with reviews and links to maps. While you'll probably find some places even closer to your digs by just walking around, it will be a good starting point.

A few more places I saw listed...
Patisserie Valerie
http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/
17 Motcomb St SW1 phone 7245 6161   
"The best croissants in London", "fantastic" cakes and "the definitive non-greasy cooked breakfast" (some branches) are among the attractions of this "bustling" café/pâtisserie chain; service, though, can be "disappointing".
Not sure whether the branch nearest you serves breakfast.

A bit further afield...

Giraffe is a chain of pancake places. I think the closest to you would be
7 Kensington High St W8 7938 1221
It was rated the No 1 place for breakfast and weekend brunches in Hardens.

Also, Amatos is a pastry place that has great coffee and serves breakfast all day
14 Old Compton St W1
here's the menu
http://www.amato.co.uk/frmMenu.aspx

Searcy's Cafe inside the General Trading Co store (a great home furnishings place) serves breakfast but doesn't open until 10am
2 Symons St, Brompton sw3

nytraveler

Rockhopper -

Sorry if the beau bothers you. But I don;t really think boyfriend is appropriate for anyone over 25 - it just sounds too silly. And when you say lover it gets a lot of people nervous. Do you prefer significant other (pretentious), partner (then they think you're gay - not a shot - just incorrect), or finace (but we're not planning a wedding - and what's with this 6 year finace thing?).

Tulips

Didn't know that there's a Patisserie Valerie in Motcomb Street; check that out! Its a very nice street too. There's also a Patisserie Valerie on Brompton Road, not far from Harrods, towards the Brompton Oratory.
And where did Baker & Spice go? Used to be in Walton Street, with the best pastry and bread. I'm sure they moved somewhere in Knightsbridge.

highledge

The Chelsea Kitchen is on the King's Road. A bit of a walk for you- but probably what you're looking for. Also try near Ebury St. Starbuck's is not bad for a quick breeakfast- think juice, muffin and coffee. Cafe Richoux is a good bet for eggs and pastries.
Don't both with Giraffe- over priced and small portions.

mclaurie

Tulips, I didn't mention Baker & Spice because Harden's said it was overpriced but they have a few locations, one at 54-56 Elizabeth St., Belgravia

http://www.bakerandspice.com/

bigboy72712

To the person who said, "the cost of living in arkansas is lower then manhattan" I have this to say, we paid
yesterday $1.82 per gal. of gas, $3.19
for a 12 pack of pepis, $2.67 for a loaf of wonder bread, $3.95 for a pack of Camel lights, we saw CATWOMAN at the Malco $8.50 each plus $3.75 for pop corn
$3.75 for a large coke, we ate at APPLEBY'S last night (borboun steet steak) 2 drinks each $64.87 with tip,
we both drive 2004 tahoes $39,500 each,
the newspaper cost $11.50 per month, I don't know what part of Arkansas you have been in but here in Bentonville, the Media price of homes are at about
$180,000.00 and higher! Please tell me,
is the cost of living in New York more
then here?

WillTravel

Bigboy, you must be joking.

m_kingdom2

$1.82 per gal. of gas.....$3.95 for a pack of Camel lights"

In London it's well over 4GBP per gallon of petrol, and 5GBP for top high street cigarettes, and 16GBP for treasurer ones!

bigboy72712

I said NEW YORK not ENGLAND

bigboy72712

What must I be joking about, willTravel?

nytraveler

Bigboy

Yes - everything here is much, much higher.

Gas is at least $2.50 per gallon. A movie is $11. And cigarettes last I looked (don;t smoke) were $8 plus per pack.

Can;t comment on food - frankly I don;t really look at prices in the supermarket - since you can;t do anything about them.

Don;t eat at Applebee's so can't comment. but a pleasant neighborhood restaurant dinner for 2 - with drinks - would be in exess of $100.

Obviously car prices don't differ by part of the country - but by negotiating skill.

As for housing - in Manhattan the AVERAGE apartment (2 - or if you're lucky 3 bedrooms) costs in exess of $1 million (this latter figure is not mine - but is culled from actual sales figures filed with the city.)

For $180,000 you might be able to buy a small studio.

Can;t compare directly with houses - since Manhattan doesn;t really have any - but for a modest townhouse the cost would be $2 million plus.

Hope this gives you a little dose of reality.

WillTravel

Bigboy, consider real estate and parking expenses in Manhattan for starters.