Ladies and gents:

With the greatest of respect (and you all know what that means in British) can I suggest many of you are being less than helpful here."Nit-picking, obstructive, point-scoring and downright unhelpful" might actually be more accurate.

Granted, GLMD isn't brilliant at expressing him- or herself clearly. And is so good at being gratuitously offensive to his hosts, you might imagine GLMD is a troll. But GLMD has asked a number of questions recently all in much the same vein. And they're all perfectly legitimate.

Where in London can a New Yorker eat the kind of simple food he or she is used to in New York?

Now I've little idea what a New Yorker is used to in New York: since it pretends to be a cosmopolitan city, I usually eat its ethnic stuff, and assumed that was what New Yorkers ate too. Frankly I normally find it mediocre, except for the mittel-Europa places that GLMD may not think of as ethnic and probably has described in another post as delis. And they don't really exist in London, except for the odd kosher place in Baker Street or round Golders Green - which really don't hold a candle to their NY oppoes.

Now I can't see the point of coming to London and not eating the way we eat. But lots of visitors come here and do things that strike me as doolally (shopping at Harrods, going to Mme Tussauds, staying in hotels in Bayswater, watching Les Mis...The list goes on). It does indeed take all sorts, and there's little to be gained by belittling other people's tastes. OK, there is a lot to be gained - you get to feel good - but you might get to feel just as good by helping them

So leaving aside cheap gibes about what is and isn't "ethnic", where can GLMD find food that GLMD might like? One constructive suggestion might be to live out of M+S food departments. Another might be to rent a flat and cook for GLMDself.

But it must be possible for someone who's culinarily conservative (not a sin, just an unfortunate self-imposed limit on enjoyment) to avoid starvation in London, mustn't it?

The following link should give you info' on just about any type of restaurant. I would also advise the guide, Time Out London, which I have found to be very reliable.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/listings/restaurants/

IMHO, I would avoid Aberdeen Angus but I think Pizza Express is good - far better than the name implies...

London is full of 'Gatro Pubs' serving a range of food, including American, although Steak, chicken, fish etc has been circling around British restaurants for years...

Happy munching!

I was jesting!

Aberdeen Angus sell steaks for about £12-£15. This is not cheap when wine, starters etc are included. yet is not reassuringly expensive. The fact that it is a chain which looks like it dates from the 1970s does not help matters. The restaurants are frequently empty and (although I may be wrong) when there do appear to be some patrons they appear to hail from the USA! I am sure they leave very disappointed.

I decided some years back that it would be impossible for this business to be operating profitably. There are hardly any customers, many waiters and a chain of properties in some of the most expensive parts of London.

Indeed the business went bankrupt (last year I think) amid much speculation that it had been a money laundering joint...

Have any fodorites been unlucky enough to dine at one of these establishments? i would be interested to hear reviews...

Well I certainly ruffled quite a few feathers by just asking a simple question - where to get a nice meal in London that is good and well-prepared. I am simply visiting my daughter who is studying there and just want to have some nice dinners out. I am not "culinary conservative". It is just with the divirsity of restaurants I wanted to stick with more basic dinners - after checking some restaurants and menus, some of the meals lean towards lamb, meat pies and the like of which I happen not to like. No offense to anybody. Just don't want to be disappointed. Thanks to all that gave real advice. I'll just wing it. No offense to Brits, I'm sure things have improved but Britain does not have the reputation for great food.

And Americans have a reputation for being fat, obnoxious, and horribly dressed. Does this apply to you, darling? Stop stereotyping. You must not be doing your homework very well if you can only find restaurants that offer the odd shepard's pie and lamb (which is served in countless American restaurants). Besides, if your daughter is studying in London why doesn't she know of any restaurants that would appeal to you? Or does she live on a diet of gin and Galois?

My god, sweetie, you can find a hamburger even in Kathmandu these days. Cheer up.

"Message: Well I certainly ruffled quite a few feathers by just asking a simple question - where to get a nice meal in London that is good and well-prepared."

Actually you would have ruffled fewer feathers if you had said this in your first post. It reads a whole lot differently from "good basic restaurants. . .steak, chicken, salads" which indicate a whole lot less variety or special quality than the way you've worded it the second time. Your first post stirs thoughts of "Kentucky Fried Chicken" or steak and salad bar places, not what I think you really wanted at all.

And since you say that Britain does not have a reputation for great food, it indicates you're at least 10 years behind the times. While you would have been right, up until at least about the mid 1980's it certainly does have such a reputation these days.

GLMDesigns, in your original query, you said you wanted "just a good steak, piece of fish, salad, pasta, etc. well-prepared and tasty." Well, that's exactly what British cuisine is! Please do not let what you call Britian's "reputation" for less-than-great food limit you to "American" restaurants when you are in London. What a terrible waste it would be if you were to miss out on the good, honest cooking at which England excels. Having lived in England for a year and living in the U.S. now, I sorely miss Engish food!

I think you may have been looking at some very limited menus if all you saw were lamb and shepherd's pie. There is a lot in English fare that fits your description of the good basic food you want. What about roast beef and Yorkshire pudding? What about the famed Dover sole? And the lovely composed salads (salets)? Give English food a chance by getting past prejudice.

Rent an apartment and cook.

That is the only way to make sure what you have is what you always had.

Makes you wonder doesn't it?

Thank you Sandykins for a nice civilized answer. And ThinGorjus, I am not fat, obnoxious or poorly dressed - just a bit, what is the word -"daft"

Darling, stop playing the shrinking violet; it does not become you. In your original post you asked for simple food, then you went on to say you were a fussy Manhattanite in your second post. In your third post, you asked for non-ethnic and non-British food, upping the ante, and then beyond belief, stated you wanted "non-fussy" food. How could you go from fussy to non-fussy in two day's time???? You are not daft, sweetie, you are Barbara Cartland on muscle relaxers, obviously.

We will give you what you want but you have to learn to heave your heart into your mouth, Cordelia. Speak plainly.

This is a great site, with up to date, your "average Joe" London restaurants reviews, including

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/

The only people who are still convinced that it is difficult to eat superbly in London are those who insist on eating at restaurants catering solely to the tourist trade - restaurants such as the steak house chains mentioned above, as well as chains such as Garfunkels, TGI Fridays etc. These are overpriced and disappointing. And those who haven't visited London for over 20 years.

There are hundreds of absolutely *wonderful* restaurants in London which cost no more than the chains above, often far less, and offer great food, service and environments. And many of these offer great steaks, salads and so on.

Avoiding "ethnic" cuisines is your prerogative

...and does limit your choice but certainly doesn't reduce the choice to problematic levels.

and does limit your choice but certainly doesn't reduce the choice to problematic levels.

Let me re-phrase - when I say "non-fussy" food I mean not restaurants that are trying too hard to be gourment. Looking for more straitforward food. I guess what I am looking for is a good steakhouse. I heard good things about Sophie's Steakhouse, and The Ivy. Anybody familiar with these?

Make that "gourmet"

The Ivy is the most popular restaurant in London, and whilst you may find plenty of food to your liking there, you will not get a reservation without booking AT LEAST 6 months in advance.

If you're stuck on American food, then try Christopher's - a very respectable American restaurant of the quality you require, although not especially cheap.

Also, log onto www.hardens.com and search under "American" cuisine. You'll need to register (it's free). Hardens is like Zagats, only more well respected for its opinions on London restaurants.

ttt

For good french steak and frites I like Chez Gerard restaurants.

http://www.santeonline.co.uk/chezgerard/

GMLDesigns, I was able to make a reservation for the Ivy for a Sunday evening in June about a couple of weeks ago. It might be worth a call even though your trip is less than 6 months out. I was surprised I was able to make one. I even had my choice of times. Susan