Madam - thanks for the info on Windsor. We were hoping it would be just as you said - pedestrian area, shops, cafes - so that's great to hear! I think we'll be coming from Waterloo as well. I haven't gotten around to mapping things out yet. Also, do you happen to remember the name of the place you stopped for hot chocolate and scones? That sounds wonderful for after a day of playing tourist! :cool:

Macdogmom - I posted this for just that reason - many suggestions of where to eat on our trip, especially if they are favorites of those who have been there many times! While it would be handy to have such places right near the sites we visit each day, we are not above traveling to other areas of the city for really great sounding food! I can understand trying to stick to one area each day, so as not to keep crisscrossing the city, but I also think some take this viewpoint to extremes. With the extensive London transit system, tube and bus, it's just so easy to get somewhere relatively quickly. I just wish we had more of that here in the US (although NYC does come close.)

And I agree with the wonderful multiculturalism (of both London and NYC) and am glad we can afford to experience both, even the few times we manage to travel each year (more in the US, not so much overseas.) Did you ever get to Gymkhana? I looked it up and the menu looks impressive, but some of the reviews were mixed. Would love to hear your experience if you were able to visit! I'm hoping we hit late spring at just the right time - fingers crossed for very little rain and moderate temps! :blush:

Scraphappy - I appreciate your good nature about the well-meaning comments about your plans! I am a "medium" planner, and definitely the trip researcher and planner of my family. By medium, I mean that I have many ideas of things to do in a given location, but only schedule in advance those items that have to be booked ahead, or that only occur on a specific day. Each morning, we decide what we'll do that day. We also don't tend to schedule breakfast (usually something light) or lunch, though I do collect restaurant ideas near places that we're likely to visit. But dinners! Husband gets too anxious if dinners aren't planned and booked in advance. Our detente has been to book all dinners ahead of time, but allowing for changes (notifying the restaurant of course) if we change our minds.

My husband's parents emigrated to the U.S. from Mumbai, so Indian food is always a highlight of our trips to London. We've loved Dishoom for years, mostly lunch and once breakfast. For dinner, look at Chutney Mary, Amaya, Cinnamon Club, Kahani, Quilon, all a bit on the higher end, price-wise. In Covent Garden, I like Punjab Restaurant, because I love their Kadu Sabji (sweet pumpkin curry). Any place that serves kati rolls (like the Kati Roll Company) is good for a lunch stop. I'm tickled by how different Indian food in the UK is from that in the U.S. For example, peshwari naan is popular in the UK - its naan that's sweet, and often has coconut, raisins, and almonds. I've never seen it in the U.S., but I always order it in the UK (last trip, I got some to have on the plane back to the U.S.). Also, balti dishes, a category that I'm not familiar with in the U.S.

My last visit to London, I walked through an area that had tons of Asian restaurants, mostly small and casual, each one it seemed highly specific (such as Korean fried chicken, or one type of pastry). I would have stopped at many of them, if I weren't on my way to an Indian restaurant! Also, I probably can't tell you where I was, though I think it was near the theatre district.

Have no idea of the cafe/casual place we stopped for a quick bite in Windsor. It was probably after 2 PM and the first place we stopped at was getting ready to close as after lunch. Windsor Castle by the way is quite large and it does take time to go through it with the self-guided audio tour. Do take time to see Princess Mary's dollhouse as well as St George's Chapel, so worth it, plus in your mind, you see the crowds cheering for Harry and Meghan's wedding or sadly, Prince Phillip's funeral service.

Lexma - It seems everyone has a different approach to planning, and no one way is correct, only what works for you! I think my approach is similar to yours, in that we try not to reserve anything that we don't have to (Harry Potter studios, Ceremony of the Keys, and the like being the exceptions.) But I need to go a bit further and draw up a framework for us each day. One of my favorite travel quotes is from Churchill: "Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.". Nothing is set in stone by any means, but I think if we didn't at least have that, we'd be falling into the old "I don't know, what do YOU want to do?" trap on a daily basis. We've certainly pivoted on a dime in the past, and I'm sure our plans will flex a bit for this upcoming trip as well. "

And we appreciate all the recommendations for Indian food! Now, if only we had several weeks in London to try them all out! :) I think the Mr. and I will have to make some hard choices there, but regardless, we took a look at most of your suggestions and will be adding a few to the possibilities list. And I have never heard of peshwari naan (or just never really paid attention if it was on the menu)! It sounds good, so I'm making it a mission to specifically try and find it here at home, then order it while we are in London as well, to see if there are any differences in prep between the two countries. Thanks again!

Madam - no worries! We like to meander, so I'm guessing we'll come across the place you remember or a similar one. I will keep in mind that some places close early, though. I've never been to the Castle myself, but dh has and does want to see St. George's Chapel again, so we were very careful to pick a day to visit when it would be open. As for the dollhouse, he's not so interested ;) but I'd very much like to see it.