RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS IN LONDON
 

We'll be staying at the Strand Palace in London. Could you suggest good places to eat in the general area that are moderately priced?

Hi A,

What is your budget?

yes - budget -- and what sorts of food do you like?

You will be walking distance from literally hundreds of places . . . . . .

We found a new place on our last trip and enjoyed the food and the service. It's Biagio on Piccadilly, right across from the Royal Academy.


We also like Carluccio's on Garrick St in Covent Garden.

Also try www.toptable.co.uk it allows you to sort by area, food type, budget, and you can read reviews etc. Then it does the booking for you and you can get special deals. I use it all the time.

You are close to Belgo Centraal. There are cheap menus at lunchtime and in the early evening.
http://www.belgo-restaurants.co.uk/

Sofra is also close:
http://www.sofra.co.uk/SofraCoventGardenIndex.html

A cheap place to eat, serving standard fare, is in J D Wetherspoons pubs. The Lord Moon of the Mall is at 16-18 Whitehall.
http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/

Carluccio's has just been exposed for using tips to bring staff wages up to the legal minimum wage, instead of distributing tips on top of wages.

The Wetherspoons mentioned above is the only one that hasn't got a deep fat fryer in it. The fire brigade won't allow it.

CHOLMONDLEYTRUFACT!!

There is a place just down from the Strand Palace that I use a lot but I would be reluctant to recommend it to strangers as it is a love it or hate it sort of place.

Luigis of Covent Garden...great little Italian restaurant.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I do have the Zagat's guide but thought your input would be even better. We love Italian, Indian and almost any kind of food and would feel comfortable not paying more than $25 per person for an entree. I'll definitely check out the restaurants recommended and jamikins, thanks for the link.

Thanks Londonres for your links also!

Belgo Centraal has a "beat the Clock" deal between 5p-6:30p. If you order during that time, you pay the price of your entree based on the time you order. So if you order at 6pm, your entree will be just £6.

You mentioned you like Indian so here goes....

The place that i like and use a lot is a few yards down from the Strand Palace Hotel and is called the India Club. It's on the second floor of the Strand Intercontinental Hotel (you enter by a not very obvious door).

It was set up to cater for the staff at the Indian embasy. It is tatty and a bit run down - think calcutta railway canteen. The food's generally good and dirt cheap.

Don't blame me if you hate it - lots of people do.

Yes, the India Club. Last time I recommended it, I was chastised. If you like cheap Indian food, but don't mind your surroundings, this is for you. See this review:
http://www.timeout.com/london/restau...iews/6068.html

Masala Zone is more conventianal and has a branch in Covent Garden.
http://www.masalazone.com/

If you want Indian I say Mela is better than Masala Zone and it's also close:

http://www.bview.co.uk/listing/22756...aurant-in-WC2H

Usually don't have to book and has never let me down.