Hello,

I am doing a stopover in London. I have been to London and done the touristy things. Going to be there dec. 28 and dec 29. Planning on going to one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurant and maybe...maybe visit Madame Tassaud's museum.

Love to dine, and love wine. Like the social scene. Can anyone recommend something.

Thanks,

Have you already booked a table at one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants if not you may be out of luck.

I have booked it already. Boxwood Cafe. Hoping it will be good.

We thought Madame Taussaud's was very touristy. It was also very crowded, so if people are off work/school that week, it might be busy. We did have fun there, but it was tacky.

Thanks for the info. It's off the list !

I found the wax models got 'tacky' when they get hot...


;-)

Muck

Ha ha.

You say you've done the "touristy" things but have you been to the Cabinet War Rooms or the Imperial War Museum? I found both to be fascinating, especially the Cabinet War Rooms. I highly recommend either (or both).

if you fancy a bit of ice skating prebook tickets for the rinks in either Somerset House or Natural History Museum - great fun and stunning locations

What about areas where you can just walk down the street and look at little shops and stop have a coffee. No shopping malls please.

Try Marylebone High St.

Covent garden is a bit like that too, but aimed at tourits. You might also like wimbledon village.

Thanks Betty but I am not a history museum person.

Wander around Mayfair, and have a coffee in Dover St. Market which is a unique concept in clothes retailing, as well as furniture in an almost museum like space - by the ultra cool Comme des Garçons designer (but don't worry they sell lots of others too).

Unless you book early you're not going to get anything at Gordon Ramsay's restaurants. Far more interesting (perhaps) is NOBU in Berkeley St. where it is first come first seved for tables under six. So no booking required.

For attractions? You say you don't really do museums, which is a shame, but fair enough. Harrods is less touristy than Madame Tussauds....and that's saying something!

What's so special about NOBU?

Have you visited the WW2 War Rooms?

It's a very good example of concept food. It's Japanese, but not so Japanese, it's very American Japanese, but the food's interesting, and the décor is excellent. Cocktails aren't bad either.

Gordon Ramsay is going to be oh so passé in a few years' time. He's everywhere now which is good for him, but not for everyone else.

I would suggest The Fat Duck in Bray, the food there is utterly unique, but it's hard to get to if you don't drive.

Sally, you are also talking about the Cabinet War Rooms which I mentioned earlier.

DavRan, I'm not exactly a history museum person either, but the Cabinet War Rooms are the actual rooms used by Churchill and his ministers during the war and they are located underground. The rooms were left just as they were at the end of the war and are truly fascinating. Not at all like a museum.

Hi, Betty, sorry missed your earlier post on the Cabinet War Rooms or wouldn't have been a pest and mentioned it again.

Try to get a copy of The Perfect London Walk by Roger Ebert (and others)- it took me and I woman I got chatting to at breakfast in my hotel all day to do it. It was great fun and included stops at a couple of pubs, a ramble on Hampstead Heath and Keats house.

London Walks where you meet at tube stops are interesting - take you to places where even seasoned tourists don't get to. There's a website for them.

I like Boxwood Cafe. Good atmosphere, nice food, and not as expensive as Gordon Ramsey's Michelin-starred restaurants (although you cannot compare them; Boxwood Cafe is much more casual).