Barbican is not that far from Smithfield Market, where you'll find clusters of restaurants (incl some poush ones). Leadenhall lost some merchants but still has some food stalls during weekday lunchtime.

That is fabulous! Is Smithfield Market within walking distance (30 minutes or less?)

I was interested in eating at St. John, which I believe is in or near Smithfield...I would love to read comments about the restaurant and whether or not I need to reserve weeks in advance..

Many thanks!

ekscrunchy: Smithfield Market is just down the road from the Barbican. The Barbican tube station is about the closest one to Smithfield - a long block from the eastern end of the Market. Faringdon station is close to the west end of the market and St John is about midway between Barbican and Faringdon stations.

The Barbican is a massive place so parts would be just 4 or 5 minutes from St John, while other bits could be 10 minutes farther.

Smithfield's a wholesale meat market - the perfect antidote to all these prissy veg shops springing up everywhere else: the last person to bring a veg into Smithfield was executed for his cheek - and that was in the 16th century (the place historically was where both cattle and criminals were executed. There are a fair few meat shops around, too, but it's not that easy for a civilian to buy anything in the market itself: for tourists, the early-morning market atmosphere is the thing.

The specialite de la region is a real breakfast. The Fox and Anchor used to be good, but it's gone poncey. The Cock Tavern is reassuringly hideous, and serves real food. Smiths of Smithfield is for girlies.

I'm really not sure there's much point talking about advance bookings at more conventional restaurants. The state of the London restaurant market, places like St John will probably be paying you to walk in off the street in a few weeks' time.

I have taken note of the admonishment to guard all my body parts when visiting Smithfield!

We only have 3 nights in London, so I have to plan my meals accordingly! No room for poncey places on the ekscrunchy agenda!

I am thinking of Indian one night, St. John one night, and a good British seafood house on the third night..and fish and chips for lunch one day.

We are staying with a friend who has a flat near, but not In, the Barbican. He said he is "across the street from Barbican," but I realize based on the information above, that this will not help me pinpoint the actual location. I will gather more information soon....maybe start a new thread about this short visit....

There's a good restaurant in the Barbican Centre - Searcys:

http://www.barbican.org.uk/restaurants-bars/searcys

If you walk up towards Old St you will pass lots of local restaurants and pubs. Be a bit carefull - don't stray too far from the road as there are large estates on either side of the road, which while not inherently dangerous, are complete rabbit warrens and you'll never find your way out.

First the danger of a rogue taking a swipe at my cheeks and now the fear of being trapped in an estate! Would this mean some sort of public housing, of the sort referred to in novels as "council housing?"

Many thanks, CW!!

The Barbican is hosting the 15th Annual Aussie Film Fest so my husband and I were in the area on Saturday. I absolutely disagree it's a graveyard at night. The Barbican itself might be quiet but then it's a residential zone. The area around it is not dead at all.

We had our first "date" weekend in a hotel called The Rookery but the area has changed a lot in even 8 years. There is a Gaucho grill, across from Smithfield Market, which was packed. We were after a juicy steak so had to try elsewhere. Many of the restaurants were full. There are loads of glamourous looking pubs (chandeliers, etc) which, while girlie, looked lovely from the outside. We wandered down a few dimly lit passages but were never alone and never felt unsafe. Throw in some fog and you've got serious atmosphere. I would positively jump at the chance to stay in the Barbican. There was an article in one of the weekend papers about some of the flats in the crescent coming on the market. The Barbican has about 2,000 flat seekers for every available flat so really popular! I like the feel of the place. It would definitely be an adventure. Plus, as others have said, there is loads to see and do in the area.

Would this mean some sort of public housing, of the sort referred to in novels as "council housing?" >>>

Yes - owned by Islington Council.

I am really looking forward to visiting London..even if it is only for 3 nights! Glad to learn that the surrounding ares will be interesting..

Does public housing in the UK have the same connotation that it does in the urban US? (Hotbeds of crime, etc)

Does public housing in the UK have the same connotation that it does in the urban US? (Hotbeds of crime, etc)>>>>

It can do. However not in the case of these particular estates - which aren't too bad. But I wouldn't want to be lost on them after dark.

Thanks!! Can I call you Cholley?

If you must my dear. If you must.

For the record.

Islington is a London borough that parodies right-on chic and political correctness to a point that strains even my credulity. Among its many incompetences is an inability to own a rabit hutch without its turning into a hotbed of crime, drug dealing and bad maintenance within seconds. It doesn't own the Barbican.

The City of London has no truck with silly modern fads like democracy. It's close to being the least accountable institution on the planet, just after the Vatican, and probably regards North Korea as an absurd example of democracy running riot. Among functioning units of civil government, I THINK the City of Winchester is the only entity in Europe that's been around as long, though some might point to Venice.

The City of London's ability to run its property efficiently and sensitively is therefore second to none.

The City owns and maintains the Barbican (though I think some of the Barbican IS now in the Borough of Islington, but no-one would let that shower within a light century of the management office). That's why the Barbican is in such good nick.

Islington starts about half way up old St.

Actually they're not as barkingly right-on as they used to be - they're lib dems now. They are still institutionally incompetent.

I used to work for them in the dim and distant in the old Finsbury Town hall which is a victorian masterpiece, and even that was falling down. I used to eat my lunch in the nuclear bunker underneath (which means I now have to find you all and kill you, cos it's a secret, you see)

Good nick??? Death threats?? Barkingly right on?? North Korea??

Not only is this visit shaping up to be dangerous, but I will need a dictionary to understand my captors when I am taken hostage!

And how do you pronounce Cholmondley? Is it Chol-mond-ley, as it is written?

Good nick means in good condition. People who are mad are said to be Barking*, Right on means that kind of balls aching 1980s leftyism.

Cholmondley is pronounced Chumley. Obviously.

*Those that are really mad are said to be Dagenham - which is several stops past Barking.

Yep - you're going to need an interpreter for sure

(Barking = mad as in crazy -- not angry)

I love it! Maybe I will become one of those Americans that visits London for a few days and returns home with a British accent!

I am really chuffed (just getting ready with my slang!!) about my trip--I've not been to London in about 15 years!!!