I am in London right now, for another 9 days. if you have any questions...
 

Hi all, <BR><BR>Just thought I would put this out there - I am in town now. If you have any generic (or time-specific) questions - ask away. If I can answer them, I will. <BR><BR>Beth

How's the weather right now? I've been thinking about hopping across the pond for a long weekend visit, but not sure if it will be too miserable to provide enjoyment.

What's the weather like?

As a single woman, where do you stay that you find comfortable and reasonable? I'd like to visit, but am a little afraid to go it alone. You're providing braveness for alot of single women.

Hi, <BR><BR>It has been pretty mild actually. Today was the first real rain in a while - but not too hard. <BR><BR>Yesterday had GLORIOUS blue skies. a little windy/nippy, but very nice. I went on a Little Venice London Walk. very pretty area, would love to really walk the canals when the flowers are out.<BR><BR>I have to admit, Claire, I have been very very lucky - I usually always (now) have friends take me (or, very very kindly enough - friends of friends, none of whom knew me before this trip - now how often can you say that??!! EXTREMELY generous and kind. )<BR><BR>that said, what parts of town would you think you would like to stay? I think Marylebone would be nice & fairly central, and I've also stayed near Golders Green as well as at the Radisson Grafton near Warren Street tube. <BR><BR>I am currently staying in South Wimbledon - v. nice area. Had only been to Wimbledon once 8 years ago so it is nice to be able to check it out again, esp. for more than an afternoon.<BR><BR>London is very visitor friendly. You will have a super time here. Londoners are very friendly as a whole I have found. <BR><BR>Beth

Hi Beth, we will be going in late March for 6 days(whoohoo). I ordered from Amazon.uk, the Harden's Guides to Restaurants. Any new finds in the restaurant area? How about recs from your London friends? <BR>Thanks, Judy :-)

Beth, I'm heading out to London and Paris in a couple of weeks. Museums are at the top of my list on both cities. I heard that there are a number of museums in London that are admission free. Have you heard anything about this?<BR><BR>By the way, best of luck in all your endeavors, be in London or anywhere!

I bet most guidebooks and London tourist bureau websites would provide the information of what is free. The V&A has recently become free, but the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum are free. I hope, however, that you make a generous donation when you go, however.

Hi Judy, <BR><BR>What sort of cuisines do you favor? For Indian, try going to Tooting Broadway/Tooting Bec. We had a super dinner the other night, 3 appetizers, three main courses, drinks, etc - for 26 pounds total. I even saved the card - Mirch Masala.<BR><BR>I also like Cafe Spice Namaste very much. It is close to Tower Hill tube stop. (maybe a ten minute walk).<BR><BR>I have been to Mezzo on Wardour Street - also very good. Belgo's remains a favorite for me (you can find one in Covent Garden) and there are super sushi places around town - even one in Paddington Station! I think the one in Paddington is Yo Sushi - the food goes around on a conveyor belt, which is pretty nifty.<BR><BR>There are great Thai places right on Old Compton Street too.<BR><BR>I went to dinner with Kavey and friends the other night, La Scala, near West Finchley tube (again, maybe 15 minutes walk?) as well as Poons in Leicester Square.<BR><BR>Let me know if there are other cuisines you like..<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Maira - yes, many more museums are free now. The Imperial War Museum (I try to visit this one each time I am here - if you never have, please do try to! It is fascinating.) The National Gallery is as well, the National Maritime Museum, and I think the Natural History Museum. In the tube stations they have many adverts about the new 'freebies'.<BR><BR>Have a super time in London/Paris!!<BR><BR>thanks for the kudos, I am meeting 4 people today... just heading out now.<BR><BR>:-)<BR><BR>Beth

didn't complete the thought - La Scala was REALLY great Italian food. The staff was really friendly and helpful too - we all got hugs before we left.<BR><BR>Poons was good too - I think it was only 16 pounds a person, and we each got an appetizer and a main course as well as a bottle of wine and water...

Hi Beth, thanks for the recs. We really love great Italian, Mediterranean, and French. Did you like Bertorelli's? We are staying on the Strand, so Covent Garden and Soho, will be the closest places. We are going to the theater twice, and will probably do pre-theater diiner. <BR>You are one lucky lady, thanks again, Judy :-)

Judy, I wouldn't recommend Bertorelli's (when you get your Harden's guide, I can guarantee it will get a slating.<BR><BR>Off the top of my head, for good eats in Covent Garden, try Palais du Jardin (large, smartish, noisy, seafood bar at the front, plusher restaurant at the back), cafe du jardin (quieter, cosy, French), cafe des amis (new british/french, less formal, great wine bar in the basement with a large cheese platter).<BR><BR>Soho, try Circus, or Teatro if you want to see a few stars. (both modern world cuisine). Try Red Fort for posh Indian, or Soho Spice for modern Indian decor.<BR><BR>But if I were you, I'd study the Harden's Guide in detail, it's the most reliable (and honest) restaurant guide around, and will list any new places plus any especially good for pre-theatre.<BR><BR>God I'm salivating - I'm on a 3 week detox at the moment so restaurants are definately out for me at the moment.<BR><BR>Kate<BR>London

Is St James Tavern just off Piccadilly Circus still a cool pub with great beer and food?

Regarding Bertotelli's : We had reservations for dinner,they were not crowded but made us wait a very long time before seating us, then another long wait before bringing us menus-I ordered Risotto and when it arrived, the rice was still very crunchy-I told the waiter and was told "Madame,that is risotto-it is supposed to be crunchy"-it was not a good meal,nor was the service good,I think there are many nicer restaurants in Covent Garden.There are excellent Italian places on and around Firth Street,nearby.(ps-I live and eat out a lot in NYC-risotto is supposed to be creamy,not crunchy:)

Thanks Kate and Michelle for the feedback. I guess I will steer clear of Bertorellis. I was also thinking about Orso and Salieri's. How about Mon plaisir? Michelle, where else did you go?<BR>Kate, I ordered the Harden's guide and should be getting it soon. I also accessed their web site, and found it very useful.<BR>Thanks for the info about them!<BR>Judy :-)

Hi,Judy-I found my little book that I record all names of places I liked on trips.These are the names of restaurants we liked in London...<BR>13 1/2 on Beauchamp St<BR>Blue Elephant-Indian<BR>Chutney Mary-Kings Rd -Indian<BR>in Soho/Covent Garden :<BR> Giovannis (candle lit tables & opera)<BR>La Campanina-Soho<BR>Hillaire on Old Brompton Rd<BR>Bangkok-Thai in So Kensington<BR>Mandalay- Edgeware Rd<BR>Alistair Little- Soho<BR>teas/lunches<BR>Browns<BR>pubs<BR>the Wrenn Cafe in St James church<BR>The Tate Gallery Cafe<BR>Wagamamma-Japanese<BR>These are over a few years so I am not responsible for quality or if they are even there anymore :0) Happy dining!<BR><BR>

ah, how could I forget WOK WOK. LOVE that place... on ken High Street, for one. Wagamama is also good, practically across teh street but also in Covent Garden among others.<BR><BR>Blue Elephant is good too.<BR><BR>what is Mandalay like? sounds really good.<BR><BR>Silk and Spice is a great Thai place - near Goodge Street as well as Camden I think.<BR><BR>more later..<BR><BR>Beth

The silk and spice we went to Beth was in Camden/ Chalk Farm - half way walk between both tube stops.<BR><BR>(Camden Town not Camden passage in Islington).<BR><BR>I like wagamama's for a quick meal but it's a hard push not be out of there in an hour or less so if you want leisurely chat it's a no no.<BR><BR>Criterion is wonderful for the food and decor, which are both outstanding, especially on the pre theatre menu prices, but the service can be mixed, though it's always been fine when I have been.<BR><BR>Circus is one of my favourite places for a nice low key meal with excellent food and service, and the kind of place where I don't worry because if a dish is not up to scratch (a rare occurence) I know it will be dealt with politely and without agro or suggestion that I don't know how it should be cooked.<BR><BR>Funnily enough, the only dish which I had to send back was a risotto, which was also too crunchy, and they immediately took it back, apologised, and said it would be a few minutes as the chef would cook me a fresh one, and also came back to apologise again during those 10 minutes, and of their own accord, because I didn't get to eat with my companion, took the whole dish off the bill, though it was perfect second time around.<BR><BR>I went there recently with Linda (from this board) and her travel companion and we had a lovely meal before going on to the theatre. The pre theatre menu here is an absolute BARGAIN...<BR><BR>Bertorelli's - havent been for a while though service and food were good when I went. Been twice, once to Charlotte Street and once to Covent Garden, preferred the first one.<BR><BR>Used to like Brown's in St Martin's Lane but the food quality seems to have dropped substantially in the past year.<BR><BR>Will see if can think of anything else.<BR><BR>Meeting Beth in 5 minutes for tapas at El parador, just a few minutes walk from Mornington Crescent tube station, a fabulous tapas restaurant.<BR><BR>Kavey

Mandalay-on Edgeware Rd, you can walk to it from the tube stop.When you get off the train and you are facing Edgeware Rd,go right...It is owned by two men from Maylasia,Dwight and Gary.Their father was in some sort of diplomatic business,their mother loved everything American..and cowboys:)<BR>The restaurant is small, you must reserve ..it is not fancy,very casual,lots of young people and Londoners who know yummy food at a good price.The food is delicious, they visit while you eat,and if you are an American they will stay and chat forever! which was fine with me, they are very interesting.Their parents now live in Sweden!! So you can imagine their conversations~do go if you can.C

Hi Beth - love reading about your adventures...have you heard anything about when the Millennium Footbridge might be opening again? Thanks.

Hi Bonnie, <BR><BR>funny, I was just telling Kavey tonight that I always take a alk along the South Bank on my visits, and have not done so yet. I will report back once I do... I hear rumblings of it, but don't recall a specific date..<BR><BR>CDF - thanks! I love Malaysian food. I 'discovered' it in NYC a few months ago (had never been to a purely Malaysian resto before)<BR><BR>shall check it out, to be sure!<BR><BR>Beth<BR><BR><BR><BR>

ttt

It's a beautiful sunny day today!<BR><BR>WHEE! and mild too - we have had pretty mild weather.<BR><BR>had a super dinner with Kavey last night - El Parador - tapas - v. good! near Mornington Crescent. It was 19 pounds each, good value. <BR><BR>heading out in a few hours, I have a meeting today, a reception to attend, and I am meeting Baroness Barker (a friend of Sheila's) for tea today at the House of Lords.<BR><BR>have a great day y'all!<BR><BR>Beth

Blimey Beth, you've only been in London 5 minutes but your connections are amazing.<BR><BR>I guess as Cherie Blair is a prominent Barrister you next luncheon will be at Downing Street!

We has a good meal at Bertorelli's on Charlotte St. last June. We were downstairs in the cafe, which is a bit noisy, but both the food and the service were excellent.

Woo Hoo <BR>Beth for next Prime Minister!<BR><BR>Yep, El Parador is one top tapas restaurant... very nice food, and you can eat as much as little as you like... always an advantage of tapas...<BR><BR>YUM YUM

Kate, <BR><BR>you know, I think to a certain extent, being an 'ignorant foreigner' has gotten me far. Not only do I not necessarily know how important the people I am meeting, may be (thus obviating any need for me to feel completely shy and perhaps not willing to make a fool of myself by approaching such important people)..<BR><BR>I also may have the added bonus of being a bit of a novelty - many people I've met on interviews are fairly amazed (they say so anyway) that I just kinda picked up, asked for a severance package, and am doing my darndest to find a job over here, with no family ties or anything of that sort. (or maybe they just all think I need help and take pity on me??)<BR><BR>at any rate... here I am, still.<BR><BR>I have a funny story which I will post under a separate thread, about nearly bowling Margaret Thatcher over. (read it you will understand).<BR><BR>Beth<BR><BR>

Beth, it all sounds great. Wish I could run into Blair. I'm in London through Sunday. Let me know if you and Kavey have room for a third, I'd love to meet another "fodor". If you don't want to waste board time with directions, etc., email me at the above address. Mike.

Hi Mike. <BR><BR>I didn't meet Tony Blair. Only someone who worked with him 'in the day'.<BR><BR>(excuse my name dropping, I just think this is such a hoot.)<BR><BR>this weekend is gonna be tough. I have a friend coming into town - I honestly don't know if we will stay in London. I have plans with friends every night this week, now. <BR><BR>Kavey and I might be able to meet for lunch one day, it depends on both of our schedules (I have a couple of lunch meetings.) we can let you know. how often do you check emails?<BR><BR>Beth

Could you go over to the Dorchester, order afternoon tea for 1, have it wrapped up and sent to me here in the states. The Assam tea. I'll pay postage. Thanks.

tooop.

I'm coming to London in March for 5 days. I'm looking for a small clean good value hotel in Paddington, Bayswater, etc. area. Any suggestions? I've been leaning toward the Comfort Inn Bayswater, Quality Hotel Paddington or Best Western Paddington Court.

Beth -<BR><BR>How exactly did you simply ask for a severance package and get it - just like that - if the decision for you to leave was entirely your own and not your employer's? This seems, to say the least, a bit strange, unless you were being fired,, laid off, forced to quit, passed over for partnership and they were hoping you'd leave, or you have some potential lawsuit to file (e.g. sexual harrassment). I'm not trying to pry, and normally I wouldn't ask, but you were very blase about. A lot of people here are following you very closely and I hope they're not getting the idea that negotiating a severance package is as easy as quitting your job.<BR><BR>Good luck to you! Sounds like you're having quite an adventure.

Hi Beth,<BR>Lunch sounds great if it works for you. I usually jump off at Victoria station around 9 or 10am and check my email at easyeverything. I would certainly be able to meet for lunch on short notice. <BR>I understand what a push it is to "knock on doors" so if I don't catch you this time, maybe next time. And good luck! Mike.

hi emply atty<BR><BR>my employer laid off SCADS off people. 11000 as a matter of fact.<BR><BR>my director asked me to stay, she wanted to base her team (what was left of it) around me and a few other key people.<BR><BR>she also knew that I have wanted to make the jump over here, for a very long time.<BR><BR>she respected my decision to opt for the package rather than stay with the company. (actually, her exact words were, 'life is too short, you should go for it while you can')<BR><BR>pretty simple, actually. <BR><BR>Beth

...and frankly i've just about had enough of listening to you drone on about how great you are. Do all the non-sycophants a favor and find something to do other than emailing fake reports to Fodors Europe Forum.

Well said, I thought I was the only one getting sick of her.

You're not the only one, believe me.

Mr. Atty: Beth's explanation is exactly what happened to me. The Fortune 200 company I was with for 12 years downsized by closing all district offices. I was offered the opportunity to transfer to the home office or take the package, which was six months severence pay. (I took the pay and landed a great job).

I'm meeting Posh in London for brunch tomorrow, Inky. We must meet up.