I'm taking my 13 year old niece to London in about 10 days.... Although she is not an adventurous eater...she is better than her brother!! I don't think she'll eat Indian food (what a shame) japanese (ahhhh...what she is missing!) But fish and chips and a traditional english dinner (yorkshire pudding and roast) she'll love. We will be staying at Jury's great russel hotel in the Bloomsbury area.

In your opinion where is the best place for:

fish and chips
roast and yorkshire pudding (pub-like atmosphere would be nice)
best outdoor patio-terrace for chips and a glass of wine (for me).
best hamburger place

Parents out there - what does your kids eat at Indian restaurants... maybe I'll take her...I could hide a hamburger in my purse..

And what is wanamama? Sushi?


thanks very much

Think you mean "wagamama" - it is a chain of noodle houses - decent food, trendy-sih - mught appeal to your daughter - check out their website - juts add ".com"

Hi S,

I think that the best traditional English cooking is to be found at Simpson's in the Strand.

http://www.fairmont.com/svy/simpsons/

Regarding Indian food: I think that your niece might like tandoori chicken or shrimp, Samosas and various other finger food.

It would be a shame if she didn't try it.

The Rock Garden (Rock as in Rock and Roll) in Covent Garden used to have a decent hamburger and they have a lovely outdoor dining area for your chips and glass of wine. Your daughter would probably love the restaurant's rock theme and all of Covent Garden in general.

The Lamb and Flag near Covent Garden is one of the prettiest pubs in London. Can't remember the food but I'll bet the fish and chips are pretty good!

Try to find a way to fit in the Indian food! She can eat the naan bread, rice and some plain chicken.

You all should definitely try wagamama. Lots of locations, and food that even a picky 13-year old would like. My husband and I are pretty unadventurous when it comes to food, but we both loved wagamama.

(There's one near the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.)

I have only eaten in one Wagamama in London and although I certainly did not try everything on the menu I did sample my children's dishes and my wife's dish.
Pretty mediocre at best IMHO. Pretty poor imitation of Japanese food when there are much better places in London for such fare.
I agree that Simpson's may fit your needs.
We often feed our "picky" eater before we go out to a restaurant so we are not bound by her wants.

mmm... loved wagamama. Good atmosphere, good food, good service. again, mmmm.

In addition to Sashie's request, I wonder if someone can recommend a good Indian and sushi place (not too expensive).

If you are in the Bloomsbury area, look for a chips place called Rock and Sole, which is quite near the British Museum (and in most guidebooks or on the Internet). It has an outdoor terrace.

I would also suggest you walk along the South Bank (near the British Film Institute and the new Globe theater) for a glass of wine and good eats al fresco. You can try Vinopolis, or if that is too sophisticated, you'll find other pubs with waterview seating.

I simply don't know what to suggest when it comes to palatable Indian food for a picky eater. Everything has spice in it. But many pubs serve Indian food as well as classic British dishes. So you can ordder both and sample. Ask at the hotel for a recommendatio.

For good, fast,authentic and cheap Japanese food (sushi, noodles and regualar meals) in central London, try "Japanese Centre" (next to British Air) by Picadilly Circus; for take away sushi,the food store at the basement has good selections.

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! Before posting I was resigned to PizzaExpress and
Sticky fingers...now I'm defintely going to try Wagamama and an Indian restaurant. I'll let you know what happens.

Funny story: When my niece was about eight we went to a restaurant down by the Jersey shore. The waitress asked her what she would like...she said "I think I'd like something different this evening"... okay so she'll have the hot dog instead of the usual chicken fingers. She said " I'll have the lobster!" And she ate it (no butter either!)

thanks again

Not to diss the Rock and Sole Plaice, but it;'s a poor second to the North Sea Fish restaurant (and takeaway chippy) in Leigh St - which is about 5 mins from your hotel.

We always like the Standard Indian Restaurant in Westbourne Grove. Excellent food at quite moderate prices. Be sure to have the chicken tikka masala.

I can't remember the full story behind it, but Chicken Tikka Masala, the most popular "Indian" dish in the UK is apparently unknown in India. It is an English take on an Indian dish, something to do with the fact that we Brits like more sauce on our rice...

Wagamama, while probably not typical Japanese food is well worth a visit because it is a fun place with reasonably priced food - around 10GBP a head. there is one off Leicester Square too.

Tip#1 - if you have a cell phone, dial 333 for Scoot, a directory service which will advise you of the telephone number and location of almost anyplace in the UK. Last time I used them it was on Leicester Square, when looking for Wagamama!

Also, consider Tiger Lil's in Islington. My kids loved it, because you get a plate, go to the buffet and choose your raw ingredients from a vast selection, then take the loaded plate to the Hot Wokster guys who stir fry it for you in their Flaming Hot Woks, and you can eat as much as you like and that is fun too. Good value at 12GBP a head for dinner.

www.tigerlils.com

Tip #2 - get to Wagamama and Tiger Lil's fairly early, because the queues really start building after 7.30pm.

Have a great trip!

I think North Sea Fish has it all over Rock and Sole Plaice.

Wagamama has their entire menu on line so you can see if there's something there she might like. I'd call the menu pan-asian more than japanese. What 13 year wouldn't like ramen noodles in broth?

Is Wagamama still considered trendy?

Regarding Indian food, why don't you take her out for tandoori chicken or chicken tikka before your trip? If she REALLY doesn't like it, why force it on her in London?

I was wondering if anyone would mention the North Sea. I was in London a few years ago, and my daughter took me there. My first thought was, "I didn't want carryout." Then I tasted it. Then I went to Paris, where I ate very well.

When I returned home, a friend asked, "So what did you have to eat that was good." I couldn't stop talking about the fish and chips. I still can't stop thinking about it.

My daughter liked the food at Cafe Rouge, a French bistro-type chain. I think she was actually more adventurous in London than she had ever been (and she is a picky eater!!!).

She enjoyed Chinese food, traditional British, a French Bakery, Pizza... She actually preferred the food in London to the food in Paris. Go figure!!!

You might want to get a Zagat Guide for 2006 to help make decisions...

There are several Patisserie Valeries in London. There's one behind Harrod's and another just west of there on Brompton Road across from Brompton Oratory. She'll find lots to like there, no matter how picky she is.

Our girls (12 and 15, with sophisticated tastes) love Wagamamma. So do we, as the food is inexpensive and well-prepared, even if not "authentic" Japanese. For Indian food, they (and we) like Masala Zone, a moderately-priced "little sister" to Chutney Mary's and Veeraswamy:
http://www.realindianfood.com/
We've only been to the one in Soho. The decor and atmosphere are very nice; casual but friendly. Last time we were there (last August) we were greeted by a huge and lovely decorative bowl with chrysanthemum petals floating on water as we entered. And the food is excellent.

If you can handle the price, I agree with Ira that Simpson's in the Strand is "the" place for roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Thanks so much! so many great ideas - I'm really grateful.

I do however have one more question.... where can I find a good meat pie? Will I find them at restaurants that serve traditional english dinners or at pubs? Are they sold by street vendors?


thanks again