we will be in London for 2 nights next week ... We are going to see Phantom and the next night my daughters want to go to Soho .....what would be your choices for both ??

not sure what you mean by "both"? Do you want suggestions for places to eat or ??

It depends on your budget - but if you're feeling spendy Richard Corrigan at Lindsey House is as good as it gets. Zilli fish is pretty good and Balaans is full of famous gayers.

You do know that soho is a den of vice and mortal sins (and some rather good pubs) don't you?

for a good pub try the endeavour in berwick street and for differnt type of indian meal try imli in wardour street billed as a indian tapas but very good and marsala zone in marshall street. Both have there own web sites. Be warned if you go much past the endeavour pub away from oxford street it becomes fairly sordid!!!

Northie ...my comment "both" means both locations ...Soho and around Her Majesties Theatre (after Phantom)...I have heard that Soho gets a little "seedy"

thanks for the clarification. We always stay in Soho when in London and I have no difficulty feeling safe, going to shows and movies and walking around by myself-just the usual precautions as per any city.
restaurants in China town-Golden Dragon on Gerrard Street, Joy King Lau in leicester ST, Patisserie Valerie in Old Compton St, Pizza Express which has jazz nights, Balaans , 2 great pubs-The Dog and Duck and The Coach and Horses,Porters English restaurant at 17 henrietta St -good variety of English favorites.

thx Northie !!! just to be sure...are those restaurants near Her Majesty or Soho ...we were also looking for a place to eat after the show ?

I like Andrew Edmunds for a good value meal in Soho
http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/l...andrew-edmunds

Or if you have more to spend then you could try Arbutus
http://www.arbutusrestaurant.co.uk/

&quot;<i>just to be sure...are those restaurants near Her Majesty or Soho</i>&quot;

&quot;<i>we were also looking for a place to eat after the show ?</i>&quot;

All of those are in Soho. Her Majesty's is in Haymarket which is just down the street from Piccadilly Circus. So several of the Soho places mentioned so far are also walking distance from her Majesty's. But Phantom is a long show - more than 2.5 hours. You may be better off looking for places for pre-theatre dinner.

you would need to check if places are open after the show-if it's a night show. Yes all are nearby-compact area.

Lots of restaurants in Chinatown are open late. If you grab something to eat before the show, you can still walk over to Chinatown for a late-night snack.

Yes - I agree that lots of Chinese and other ethnic restaurants are open late. My point was - do you want to still be eating dinner at 11 PM? I usually eat a pre-theatre dinner - lots of the surrounding places have special menus for early dinner. Or, I do a late afternoon tea - like 5-ish and just get a quick bite after the show if I'm feeling peckish.

any ideas or thoughts on pre-theatre dinner ?

dannyyoung- ALL the restaurants recommended above are open all day, whether it's pre or post theatre.

we have decided to eat at Chinatown ( we have 7 with kids so budget is important)we are looking at Golden Dragon but the reviews on Trip Advisor,etc are bad...should we look at another place ? it will be 1045pm before we can get there

There are loads of restaurants in Chinatown. I couldn't even tell you the name of my favopurite (I know where it is - but not what it's called).

You will be spoiled for choice. Walk around until something takes your fancy.

i like 'new china' on the corner just opposite the entrance to the chinatown carpark. this would be my first choice for your requirements.

'cafe tpt' is pretty good and friendly. 'wong kei' is also nice (large, round shared tables and not nearly as rude as its reputation).

cafe jen and hong kong cafe are nice but more suited to a quick snack rather than a full meal.

i would be careful about just wandering into a chinatown restaurant...some are dreadful (e.g. friendly inn, etc).

Re: Cafe TPT in Chinatown. I've eaten there once and thought it was horrible. And it turns out that Fodorite 111op had eaten there previously and he didn't like it either.

I usually eat at HK Diner (on Wardour Street). It's good but very basic Cantonese diner fare.

Good advice and recommendations about Chinatown restaurants. Sounds similar to what we find at home too.

i have reservation at Golden Dragon ...should i cancel and go to New China ?