I have received much wonderful information on this site about London and our hotel. We leave in about 3 weeks and are getting very excited! I was just wondering if any of you could suggest some good/reasonably priced restaurants in London (Italian, Basic American, Chinese, etc.). I would also like to know of any more expensive or upscale restaurants for a nice full dinner that you have actually tried and enjoyed. Also, has anyone been to London during Thanksgiving before? I realize they do not celebrate our U.S. Holiday, but do most of the restaurants recognize that Americans might enjoy the traditional turkey, dressing, etc. of the Holiday and serve it on Thanksgiving Day? Just wondering. I have heard that they consider turkey and all the trimmings part of Christmas foods in London also and they are usually already serving them in November. Any info would be helpful! Thank you in advance. <BR>Michele

There are some good Italian restaurants near Selfridge's (Selfridge itself has a good food store); Maxwell's in Covent Gardens and Hard Rock Cafe near Marble Arch for burgers and fries; Covent Garden for a variety of different eating places (and price ranges); do a search on this forum for Pub Walks for a post from Wes Fowler on some great pub suggestions. <BR>For a good meal and an interesting atmosphere, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese off Fleet St is the oldest restaurant in London, a favorite of both Dr Johnson and Charles Dickens.

I'll also be in London during the Thanksgiving weekend (we have been there a few times before and have found Fourth of July celebrations were not hard to come by). Not sure what "reasonably priced" means....we come from the New York area which makes just about everywhere we go a bargain in comparison..... but we really enjoy Rules. It is the one restaurant that we return to every time we are in town. On Maiden Lane, walking distance from all West End theatres. In fact we'll be having or Thanksgiving dinner there this year....well, Thursday night's dinner anywy.

Dear Michele: I've been to Rule's and consider that an excellent suggestion. You also might want to attend the really lovely Thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral. It starts at 11 a.m., I believe, and it will be crowded--but it's very worthwhile. Have a wonderful time. Joan

We don't celebrate Thankgiving here in England, but turkery is eaten all year round (it's leanest meat!) Restaurants in London have improved tremendously over the last few years, so eating out is a pleasure again. Many restaurants in the West End do pre-theatre set menu and they are very good value for money, some expensive ones do them too. I agree with previous few fellow travellers, Rules is good and has a large game menu, it's too old fashioned and traditional for many, but if you want to see what a traditional English restaurant like, you won't be disappointed. <BR> <BR>If you're going upmarket, you'll be spoilt for choice. The Oak room, La Gavroche, La Tante Claire, La Pont de la Tour (Tony & Cherrie entertained Bill & Hilary there )and The Square are the top notch restaurants which will probably set you back over £100 per head exclusive drinks (they have extensive wine list). Other good and expensive ones are: Alastair Little, The Avenue, Axis, Bank, Bibendum, Le Caprice, Chez Nico, Coast, Fifth Floor Restaurant at Harvey Nichols (forget Harrods, Harvey Nick is the hip place to shop), Gordon Ramsey, The Ivy, Mirabella, Novelli, L'odean, Oxo Tower Restaurant (food is so-so, the view is worth paying for), The River Cafe, Satoria, The Sugar Club and Teatro and I can go on and on. You are expected to pay around £60 per head exclusive of drinks. <BR> <BR>Chinese restaurants are the best value restaurant in London. The dim sum here are good and cheap. A dim sum lunch will probably cost you less than £10 per head. My favourite restaurants for dim sum are: Jade Gardens (long queue), Golden Dragon and London Chinatown. For dinner, I would recommend Fushin, Jen and Mr. Kong. These restaurants are all in Chinatown area (off Leicester Square). Off West End Chinese Restaurant,you should try Royal China, good for both dim sum and dinner. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip to London and don't forget to pack your umbrella.

Ivan, <BR>I had understood that La Tante Claire <BR>had closed since my last visit in '98, to my dismay. Is that not so? <BR>

Rule's or Simpsons would be a good choice for a traditional meal appropriate to Thanksgiving. We always include Brasserie St. Quentin in Kensington when in London. It used to have a two course set price menu for lunch and early dinner. Was a very good value. Last time we pigged out so I didn't look to see if it's still the case.

We'll be in London (our first trip) for Thanksgiving also. Rules is definetly on our list as is the Red Fort - an Indian restaurant that comes highly recommended.

Elaine: No, La Tante Claire has moved to The Berkeley Hotel, Wilton Place. If you want to be sure of good table, book now on tel No: 0171 887 8877 (+ international dialing code for London ). Just to confuse you, the excellent Gordon Ramsey took over the lease of La Tante Claire's old site. <BR> <BR>For Indian Restaurants, I prefer Chutney Mary at Kings Road. But for authentic Indian restaurants, you'll have to go to the East End, Brick Lane. <BR> <BR>