I Guess We Need To Eat In England, Too - Recommendations?
 

Tracy's already practicing her British slang by saying, "Tom, you plonker!"

Anyway, although we usually spend 18 hours a day sightseeing, on occasion our little group likes to stop and grab a bite.

I was hoping you guys could help us out on our restaurant search. We will be staying in London (six nights), Salisbury (one night), Bath (two nights), Tetbury (three nights) and Chipping Campden (three nights). I don't believe we are going to pack dressy clothes, so casual to nice casual will work. Any price range.

Is there a best fish and chips place? Tracy wants to see if they can beat the fish and chips she had at Pastis in NYC. Also, would be interested in a good Indian restaurant, but we will eat most anything from anywhere.

I have a list of pubs a mile long. I know I want to go to Ye Olde Mitre (looks very cool). Is there one pub you might recommend for food (in any of the places we are visiting)?

How dressy is Simpson's In The Strand? I know it probably is touristy and might not be the best choice, but this was a place I dined with my parents back in the late 60s when I was just a young lad on my first Europe trip (gave me the travel bug for life), so it would be more of a sentimental choice if I decided to go.

Thanks for all your help, and we promise to try and not run down any of you locals while we are in your country.

((H))

From Tetbury you could do worse than a trip to the Weighbridge Inn between Avening and Nailsworth for their 2 in 1 pie. The Pie of Legend.

<<Is there a best fish and chips place? Tracy wants to see if they can beat the fish and chips she had at Pastis in NYC. Also, would be interested in a good Indian restaurant, but we will eat most anything from anywhere.>>

Good Indian in London? Fish, barrel, shotgun.

"Best" F&C? One pub? You're asking an unlimited number of economists for one forecast here.

Check out Timeout.com - at least that will put you on track. You've traveled enough to understand London's size, look nearby your temporary abode.

You'll get tons of recs for London, but one off the usual radar is the cafe/restaurant at Sotheby's auction house. Very nice.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/inside/se.../overview.html

Because you're in California, you've got great Japanese restaurants at home, but we still highly recommend the cocktail bar at Zuma. Very groovy. The food is excellent too, but it's expensive.
http://www.zumarestaurant.com/zuma-l...ar-and-lounge/

Where are you staying in London?

ps. for my trip in April I did a lot of research and mapped some likely looking places on Google Maps.

Here is my map (hope this works):

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...3e246a3c&msa=0

Our favourite Indian is Bengal Clipper in Shad Thames.

http://www.bengalclipper.co.uk/

He area is cool and there are some great places for a drink overlooking tower bridge and the Thames in Butlers Wharf

"Where are you staying in London?"

South Kensington area at London Regency on Queensgate.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

((H))

Tom,

it's so long since I lived in London that I really can't recommend anywhere to eat, though a friend says that the indian food down Tooting high street is hard to beat.

in Tetbury, we like the Snooty Fox for morning coffee, lunch, tea, etc. I've never had dinner there though. if it rains, they have scrabble and monopoly to entertain the troops!

In London, I would avoid anything that claims to be some sort of American something or other like that so-called "Texas Steakhouse" or whatever it is.

Also, Mexican seems to be a particular stumbling block.

And then there's "pub food" which is apparently an acquired taste for some folks.

Overall I think the cuisine has improved markedly since I first visited London back in 1970 and we've found some fun, if not inexpensive, places to eat in Covent Garden which can be a fun place to be.

"And then there's "pub food" which is apparently an acquired taste for some folks."

Dukey, It looks like I might have to acquire a taste for peas looking at some of the menus. Doubt that will happen.

annhig, a little scrabble game sounds like fun.

((H))

Had to try a Pimms Cup; didn't like it.

Our best meal was at an Afgani restaurant in West Kensington, sorry don't remember the name.

Just in case you want a pint here is a good pub thread

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-londoners.cfm

And another

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-london.cfm

Is Simpson's still open? Must admit I was there in 197? and then it seemed a thousand years old. As was the food.

Was also then at Sheekey's? and the Ivy. I understand the latter is still going strong. The former seemed very expensive for very bland fishy stuff.

In Salisbury: Cote Brasserie at St Thomas Square!

You can also get great deals and reviews on www.toptable.co.uk I always use it to book reservations.

<i>It looks like I might have to acquire a taste for peas</i>

Also get in the habit of turning your fork over, scooping up some mashed potatoes, and then scooping the peas into the sticky mashed potatoes with your knife. They have a British name for mashed potatoes but I forget what it is.

Bar food is not high cuisine but at least the prices won't make you sick. The best that I remember was a steak salad at the pub Brewmaster. I tried to find it again but couldn't. I think it is on a side street in the theater district.

They have a British name for mashed potatoes but I forget what it is. >>

mmm - that would be mashed potatoes. very occasionally "creamed potatoes" but don't get excited, they probably haven't seen any cream.

tom- here's a little rhyme you may find useful:

"I eat my peas with honey, I've done it all my life;
it makes the peas taste funny, but it keeps them on the knife".

<i>Thanks for all your help, and we promise to try and not run down any of you locals while we are in your country.</i>

It may be the other way around. Only mad dogs and Englishmen drive in London, midday sun or not, and it's usually not.

Tom and Tracy. I looked in on your website. That is fantastic! I love it. I could spend all night going through it. Check out mine. It's not as pretty but it has plenty of information about Europe.