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Fish & Chips .....
can anyone tell me where "the best f & c" in London are?
I heard that the Sea Grill at Harrod's was probably a good bet ... speaking of Harrod's, is that a must see if one has only 6 hours in London? Thanks for any suggestions. |
My personal favorite is Rock and Sole Plaice on Endell (near LongAcre) in Covent Garden. In nice weather you sit outside at picnic tables, and they offer up to six or seven choices of fish.
People rave about Geale's in Notting Hill, which we found awful, after we finally got our order which they lost! |
Do a search for fish and chips on here. There are SEVERAL threads... I know - because I wrote one of them ;)
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I almost forgot, I also asked that question on chowhound.
http://www.chowhound.com/boards/intl/intl.html An easy way to find it is hit CTRL + F and type in "Fish and chips" :D |
<i>"speaking of Harrod's, is that a must see if one has only 6 hours in London?"</i>
Definitely not! If you had six days, maybe. 6 hours is not much time to see anything in London. Don't waste it at Harrods. |
I second the recommendation for the Rock and Sole Plaice. They definitely have the best fish n' chips I've ever had in London.
I also agree that Harrod's is definitely not a must see if you have only 6 hours in London. |
I wasn't going to mention this because I wasn't sure how "sacred" Harrods is to some people on here ... but now it looks like I can express myself freely:
As you know, the guy who owns Harrods now is the father of the man who died with Princess Diana. He is trying to cash in on it. I am sorry to say it, but it is true. He has a HUGE shrine to them in the store. (It is disgusting) Not only that, his vanity is disgusting as well. He spent $$$$ to make a sculpture of himself as a Pharoah (sp?) as part of the "Egyptian Escalator area Then let's not forget that it cost 1GBP to use the toilet! and even more money to check your bag (packbacks/rucksacks/big purses - no matter how small- have to be checked in) And everything is overpriced. (The Harrods of today is not the same Harrods it was years ago. But like a comfortable shoe, people just don't want to let it go) It just isn't worth it!!! |
I really loved Geale's when I went there, the service was incredible and the fish was lovely. I'm sure that, due to all the recommendations on this board, it's probably become much more touristy, though.
Earlier this year I went to Jack Horner's, which is near the Tottenham Court Road stop. It was highly recommended by a hotel concierge--before you balk, keep in mind I grilled him on whether HE would eat there, and he swore he would because he'd be able to get a pint during his lunch break. I had fish but substituted mash for chips and it was very nice. It was huge, though, and could have fed 2-3 people. The place looked like it was frequented by locals and tourists alike so it should be good. |
How about trying the 'Sea Fresh' on Wilton. Near Victoria Station. "Best" will depend on the cook that is working at the time. Most important is the quality and temperature of the cooking oil. Many shops are using fish caught the day before. Sunday and Monday may not be the best days to order F&C. Comment anyone?
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Agreed that Harrod's is a waste of time - Londoners don't shop there, it's strictly for tourists, and Muhammad Al Fayed is a tax dodging crook.
However, it actually ISN"T overpriced compared to most department stores. My father supplies goods to Harrods, and says their mark-ups aren't nearly as high as standard stores. The goods are expensive because they're expensive, not because they're in Harrods. However, when all's said and done, it's just a department store. Of all the things to do in London, it's got to be way down the list, unless shopping is a fetish. And it certainly isn't the place to get true fish and chips - the working class staple! |
I'm not much of a shopper so I can't comment too much on the goods there, except that a number of years ago I picked up a Baccarrat crystal "animal" that was less expensive than anywhere else I had priced it -- yet seemingly wasn't on sale there.
But no one mentioned the food halls -- that's what makes Harrods worth a walk through if anything does. |
I will "second" the food halls at Harrod's. I would tell any one to put it on the list of things to see in London.
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Geales at Notting Hill Gate has long been a fovorite of mine . . as is SeaShells on Lisson Grove. SeaShells is the larger of the two and somewhat easier to get a table . . also has take-a-way . . notice all the London Cabbies out front! Enjoy . . Rich |
Seashell on Lisson Grove gets my vote - my husband is taking a solo business trip next month to London and I've asked hium to sneak some home for me on the plane (do you think it would smell too bad?)
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North Sea Fish Bar in Leigh St in Bloomsbury - Accept no substitute. (apart from Brady's in Wandsworth of course - but that's a bit of the beaten track).
If you are familiar with the British (brilliant) comedy "Black Books" - that is shot in Leigh St. |
To FromAtlanta - forgive me for being picky about your comments about Harrods, but I did want to update your info - the narcissistic statues of Harroods' owner al-Fayed depict him as the Sphinx, not Pharoah, and they have scrapped the £1 fee for the loo, probably due to the complaints from tourists. (There's still a charge for bag checking but you do not HAVE to check them. You can carry them with you if they're not tatty looking. The last time I was there (April 2004) I did check my bag because it was heavy and I didn't want to lug it around. The bag check counter was actually rather difficult to find.) So think what you will about the store and it's owner, but at least you don't have to pay to pee there anymore.
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Fish and Chips: I agree Patrick. Geale's has to be the worst. GSteed: SeaFresh on Wilton is definitelt our favorite. A bit of a walk from Victoria but worth it . You are right about the quality etc. but SeaFresh has hardy ever been a disappointment.
Harrods: Forget it!!! |
Daisy54,
Thank you for letting me know that info! I remember asking one of the sales people if they had a "less luxurious toilet" I could use, and they gave me the coldest look! :D About the statue, I actually meant sphinx. Sometimes what I see in my mind and what word my brain decides to interpret don't always match. :"> I HATED having to check in my bag. - If I don't have to anymore, then I will probably go to Harrods again. (I guess I am one of those people who can't let it go) - I do enjoy the food hall - but I never gave the food halls at any other store a lok. I heard some of them were just as nice. I agree that my comment about being "over priced" wasn't entirely fair ... I was mostly thinking of having to spend the money to check in my bag (which is always a nice looking bag!) plus having to pay to use the toilet ... I am so happy about the news! |
True fish and chips should NOT IMO be a gourmet or expensive experience. It doesn't feel right to me tucking into fish and chips in Harrods.
The real joy of eating fish and chips is out of paper strolling along the street. Good fish and chips shops in central london are scarce. Fish and Chips made to a traditional recipe can be found at Harry Ramsdens (a chain that developed from a v famous yorkshire restaurant) which is just off Picadilly Circus below the Regent Palace hotel. |
If you want real fish and chips, with a view, try The Grapes Pub on Narrow Street. It's out near Canary Wharf and overlooks the Thames. I have family who live in the neighbourhood and we hit the Grapes as soon as we get off the plane. They get voted as one of the best seafood resaurants in London all the time. They have an upstairs and down. The upstairs is more upscale and pricey, but downstairs you always chance running into Sir Ian McKellan who lives next door.
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Here are a couple additional fish & chips choices:
North Sea Fish Company on Leigh St. 3 or 4 blocks north of the British Museum. A small, cozy neighborhood place that also has take away service. Good fresh fish too and a reasonable and surprisingly decent wine list. Cafe 7 - the restaurant on the top floor of the Tate Modern. Spectacular views of London, creative menu choices and also good value wine list. In spite of all the negative comments about Harrod's - it's worth going through, if only for the food hall. However, this would be far down the list of places to see if you only have "6 hours in London." JoeG JoeG |
With the exception of the dreadful egyptian room and escalators, I would agree Harrods is well worth a visit, in particular as previously mentioned the food hall is excellent. I also like the the Hi, TV and Video shop - seriously Hi Tech.
The loos are now free! |
frankly with only 6 hours I don't think I'd be wasting it looking for fish n chips either!
do you have a full 6 hours, or 6 hours including getting back to LHR or LGW? |
Randall & Aubin on Brewer Street in Soho http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=81098
Every time I go I tell myself to have something else but the fish & chips are just too good here! Other than that, as previously mentioned, the Sea Shell on Lisson Grove is generally regarded as having the best fish & chips in London. http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=81189 Enjoy! |
Harrods is not a 'must see' if you have only 6 hours; lots of other things to see. But it's not true that it is just for tourists. Locals do shop there. They couldn't survive on tourists buying Harrods mugs and teddy bears. Thought the Egyptian hall is definitely over the top, not to mention the 'memorial' Fayed has done a great job upgrading nearly all departments.
And the 1 pound fee has indeed been scrapped (and there always were 'less luxurious' toilets for free; the ones on the fourth floor, in Way Inn, are particularly nice by the way, all original tiles and carved wood). If you do not have a lot of time in London, the food halls are not a bad place for lunch; don't know about fish and chips, but there's a good oyster bar! |
If you're going to be one of these tourists who simple walk around cooing and ooing "oh look at that, have you seen the price?", then please don't bother going to Harrods.
Harrods is a superb store which has fantastic selections from the collections of virtually every major and not so major designer. Please disassociate it with a place for tourists. That said, if you want to do some serious shopping, the by all means please do see Harrods. |
I imagine that Fish & Chips are not the culinary experience that many foreigners might expect. I sampled F&C from a few different pubs while in London last week and was not impressed. This food is the same quality as a Friendly's or Bob Evans' restaurant platter..
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Optimistic
Whilst F&C are not the height of haute cuisine - but cooked fresh in crisp batter with plenty of salt and vinegar it can be great - but never from a pub - the only way is from a proper fish and chip shop out of the paper. A great place is Masterfish on Waterloo Road further down the road behind the Old Vic theatre ? always packed with London Cab drivers which is a sure sign of a decent F&C shop ? they do a take away service as well as table service! |
Optimistic: With respect, the average pub food (so called 'gastropubs' aside) serve rubbish food! You don't go to a pub for decent fish and chips!
It's not a sublime 'culinary experience', granted, but good fish and chips (with mushy peas!) can be just what you want every now and again - and it is traditional. When in Rome.... |
Back to Harrods, when we were there in 02, they were charging for using the toilets. However, if you had made a purchase, the loo was free. We had just picked up a few teaspoons, which got me in for free. I handed off to my husband, and he got in free as well. I don't know what floor we were on (near the china area) and the bathroom was quite nice, with a variety of lotions and scents on the counter.
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All Harods Loos are now free!
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<i>"All Harods Loos are now free!"</i>
When did that change? |
The last time I had to make use of the facilities was at Christmas time (I never normally need to) and I never had to show my account card (which gained me free access). I thought that this was perhaps in conjunction with their Sunday opening, perhaps I was wrong?
It doesn't reallly matter really for those who patronise it regularly as we are all account holders, and if you're not you can go on the second floor. I hope they haven't dropped the charge, the guards standing inside were always highly amusing. |
Th food hall is impressive to me. But there is gaudiness above.
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The housewares department is interesting to look around. And at Christmas, they have a nice Christmas shop.
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