Jeanette

We are staying in the Cartwright Gardens area of Bloomsbury and willing to walk a bit, or take the tube. Looking for nice restaurants that will run in the $30-$40 (20-28 pounds) range for 1-2 starters and 2 entrees, drinks and desert and tax not included. Is this reasonable in London?

Food more important than atmosphere, but anything uniquely historic or charming or romantic would be a great find. Ethnic food most welcome.

Yes, we do know about the North Sea for fish and chips and do plan on eating there our first night.

Thanks everyone.

Judy

Hi Jeanette, in Feb. we only went to 3 restaurants in the Bloomsbury area. We went Cosmoba's(sp?), North Sea, and Denise's. North Sea was for lunch, while it was VERY good, kind of pricey
approx. 18 GBP, no drinks, just tea, FYI.
Cosmoba's(Italian) was ok at best, and Denise's on Southampton Row, was very good. You probably should branch out a bit, and read some of the comments on London better restaurants, or do a "search" on this forum. I loved Belgo Centrall, Livebait, Cafe du Jardins(prix fix- pre-theater) in Covent Garden. Also try rants and raves here on Fodor's. Hope you have a good time, I loved London. Judy

aphra

First tip: Zagats is online (www.zagat.com) and you can search the London database by neighborhood or type of cuisine there.

Since I've done that already in preparation for my own upcoming stay in London, I can pass along a few ideas straight out of the food notes I've stored in my PDA: Efes Kebab House is
@ 80 Great Titchfield St. and 175 Great Portland St. From Fodors: "A very Turkish atmosphere"..."simple, but excellent" fare at "cheap" prices. There's belly dancing and cabaret at the Great Portland Street venue. For Indian, Malabar Junction @ 107 Great Russell St; Zagat's says "fascinating flavours for adventurous gobs"; "wonderfully friendly" service and "cheap" prices. In Picadilly (you're not eating exclusively in Bloomsbury, I hope!) for Moroccan/North African there's Momo @ 25 Heddon St. Fodors says "exotic decor",
"terrific" food...you'll "expect to walk out into a busy Moroccan souk." For Sudanese, Mandola Cafe @ 139-143 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater (adjacent to Notting Hill): "hearty", "interesting" Sudanese fare at "very good prices" in a "cosy atmosphere". Note this one is BYO if you want wine. Haven't tried any of these (yet!) so I can't endorse them myself, but they sound yummy to me--and no, I don't work for Zagat's!

Sue

We also ate at North Sea and Denise's (or at least my husband did while friend and I went to see Mama Mia); he really liked Denise, but we were both unimpressed with North Sea.

Tony

A restaurant recently opened in Bloomsbury is getting rave reviews. It's a Spanish restaurant named Cigala and is at 54 Lambs Conduit St. £28 for 2 courses for 2 people might be a little on the low side although they do have a 2 course set meal price at lunchtime at £15 per head. They also stock 112 wines and a good collection of sherries. Hope you enjoy your stay in London.
PS. Booking would be advisable for dinner.

Lona Valmoro

Jeanette - I live right in that area and have found a great Italian place called Ciao Bella. It is on Lamb's Conduit Street - great food and a piano player on most nights. Very reasonable too and will definitely fall into your price range. Enjoy London!