Well, it's getting close! My mother and I leave for London & Paris in a week and a half. I've pretty much got our itinerary set up, but I'd like a few restaurant suggestions in London. We're staying at the Thistle Trafalgar Square.

First, near the London Eye, or on the way back from the Eye to Trafalgar Square. I was looking at the Oxo Tower, but it seems quite expensive. We're not on a real tight budget, but don't really want to spend $50-60 US each for dinner, although we might if it's really worth it. Is the food there really wonderful? I realize it's got great views. Any other ideas?

Second, we'll be going to Buckingham Palace, including Queen's Gallery, then Royal Mews, then later to Westminster Abbey. If we can wait until after the Royal Mews for lunch, we would eat at the Anchor Bar on the way to the Abbey. But, if we're really hungry after Queen's Gallery, is there somewhere right there along Buckingham Gate/Buck Palace Rd so we wouldn't have to backtrack far to go the Mews?

Third, near the Tower of London to go before the Ceremony of the Keys. One I read about was Cafe Spice Namaste. Anyone been there? Any others?
Thanks for any suggestions!

Note on the Oxo Tower - great for a cocktail in the bar (the views are great) but skip the restaurant (or brasserie). Universally acclaimed for being overpriced for mediocre food.

Get a really good food guide - Harden's is the best. You can buy it in most good book shops, or order it online at hardens.com or amazon.

It's my mission to stop people eating in poor places in London when there's so much great food on offer, and Harden's is one of those great guides that gives really HONEST opinions and prices. It's my bible, I don't eat out without it.

Kate, London.

I am afraid my choices will be a little cheap for you.

London Eye to Trafalgar Square. Lunch or supper till 8.30 at Gordon?s Wine Bar, just north of Embankment station

Buckingham Gate. A choice

The Two Chairmen. Corner of Queen Anne's Gate and Dartmouth Street, 100 yards from St James' Park tube station. Useful for visits to Parliament, Westminster, the Cabinet War Rooms, and St James' Park. Some Members of Parliament use it.
Or
The Albert. Corner of Buckingham Gate and Victoria Street. Nearest tube St James Park. Downstairs good hot food, with spices well used, served also in the evening. Upstairs for lunches only a carvery, three courses at 15 pounds. The house beer is Courage, but other and better draught is also served.

The Tower. One underground stop along is Aldgate, and 15 minutes north east of there is Brick Lane, full of good Bengali restaurants. You do not have to eat burning spicy stuff: if you ask me I can e-mail you a note on how to approach Indian food with care.

But I do agree that a restaurant guide ill cover far more places than I know or can afford.

Welcome to London

[email protected]

Thanks for these suggestions. Unfortunately, Kate, it's too late for me to order a copy of Harden's. Amazon only has used ones (plus they're $25 plus shipping) and they would never get here in time.
Ben, I actually meant the Albert when I said Anchor (sorry about that!) for on the way to the Abbey and was looking for something a bit closer to Buckingham Palace. I realize it's not really far, but this is one day where we won't have a lot of time to go there and then back over to the Mews. Maybe that will still be the best choice. I would love to see your info in eating Indian ([email protected]). Thanks.

Any other ideas?

For no charge to register you can get the Harden's guide on line, no need to buy the book.

http://www.hardens.com/welcome/welcome.shtml

I agree - skip the Restaurants at the OXO tower if you are on any sort of budget. But do splurge on cocktails. The cocktail menu runs to the size of a small book and it is full of all sorts of yummt things and the barmen are entertaining (and flirt a LOT) - plus the view is great.

For someplace special in tat area try the Peoples Palace - good food, great views. Then afterwards stop by the OXO for after dinner drinks.

For the Keys ceremony you could go to the Blue Print Cafe which is just across the river from the Tower. or you could go to the Dickens Inn in St Katherine's Dock - a couple of restaurants and a pub in the same flower be-decked bldg and a nice walk to/from the Tower with awesome views of illumunated Tower bridge.

Susan, we stayed at the Rubens HOtel last year which is across the street from the Royal Mews. Can't remember the name, but there is a great little Italian Restaurant right down the street. From the Mews, it would be one block down on your left. The concierge at the hote recommended it to us.

I replied to Ms Payne by re-mail

Ben Haines

DMG, Thanks for that info, also thanks to Janis & bettyk. Those sound like good possibilities, it's good to know there is somewhere so close to the Mews. Also, thanks, Ben, I got the email about eating Indian. Looks like lots of good information.

The Oxo tower is not that close to the London Eye. It's a pretty long walk and I wouldn't say it was 'on the way'. Can't comment on the food though - haven't eaten there.

It is, at most, a 10 minute stroll from the Eye to OXO - and that's with stops for photo-ops.

Hi, Susan. Last May a friend and I had dinner near the British Museum (and I have no idea if that near where you've said you will be), on New Oxford Street called LeBistro Savoir Faire - absolutely divine. I had a starter of smoked salmon on warm avocado with some cheesy melted stuff, a split of white Bordeaux, then chicken breast stuffed with spinach and brie wrapped in bacon w/a comfit of vegetables, including a scalloped potato concoction. Then coffee and mousse. My traveling companion finally had a meal she liked, of chicken soup and grilled chicken dinner with vegetables and dessert. L39 - converted to $64, which included tip. It was a small restaurant (reservations recommended) with friendly staff and a delightful local ambience, music, the ceiling is covered with interesting quotes. ("a husband is a lover who pushed his luck too far&quot I have the actual address somewhere but haven't yet gone through that trip's memorabilia. You should be able to find it in the phone book if it interests you.

I envy you SusanP, for going to London soon. I had hoped to visit this fall, but that's not going to work out. Anyway, here's a couple of suggestions for you: Near Trafalgar Square - St Martin's in the Fields has a Cafe in the Crypt which is decent cafeteria style food - and it's an unusual atmosphere. Inexpensive. For a sit-down meal, though, I love the Sherlock Holmes Pub just south of Trafalgar Square on Craven Passage between Northumberland Ave and Craven Street - it's not as touristy as you might think - but it does have a great re-creation of Sherlock's study. The restaurant is actually upstairs of the pub and is filled with Holmes memorabilia. I had a delicious, vegetarian Yorkshire Pudding for about 10 GBP - entree with salad and wine was under 20 GPB.
Have a great time!

Thanks for the additional info on Oxo Towers, from what I've read, it's not worth the high price.

Shanna, near the British Museum wasn't the exact area I was looking at in this question, but we may just have to go there (it's not all that far from our hotel), as I love smoked salmon, avocado, cheese, spinach, brie & bacon!

Carol, We do plan to go to St. Martn's Cafe in the Crypt for lunch. It's interesting that you should mention the Sherlock Holmes Pub, as Holmes is my maiden name! We'll probably try that as well.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've eaten in the Oxo Tower a few times and you are paying for the view. I'd think you'd be lucky to get out of there for $50-60 including drinks to be honest

Cafe Spice Namaste is my favourite Indian Restaurant. Food is of a high standard and the surroundings are far nicer than the Brick Lane restaurant which I still associate with drunken nights out to be honest.

You have plenty of choice in this area however - if you still want a view, try one of the Shad Thames Conran's (The Chop House is my favourite). I believe there is also a ASK Pizza palce over there too, if you want something more reasonably priced.

another vote for Cafe Spice Namaste. thanks for the tip on the food guide Kate!

The Oxo Tower will cost much more than 50USD per cover. It's naff, dated, forget it. Eat at The Cinnamon Club in Westminster, nearby to the London Eye.

Try having breakfast, then you can avoid having lunch in these locations not noted for their restaurants.