In case you'd like to stay in London, do not forget to visit Camden Town!

High tea at Fortnum & Mason

Liberty. Conran. Paperchase. Heals. Sources of much cool stuff that is hard to find in the US. Paperchase has amazing croc. and alligator embossed paper for about GBP2 a sheet that makes fabulous coverings for boxes, etc. Heals has I Coloniali soap the smell of which makes my knees go all wobbly. i give it to my beaux. liberty is just plain fun. conran's got great designs

How about

A wander around Liberty's (electic store on Regent Street)

Dinner in the main dining room at Simpson's in the Strand

A boat ride down the Thames for a very different perspective of the city

A trip out of town the Eltham Palace, the art deco home of the Courtauld family and a former royal palace.

kateh: What can you tell me about "Dinner in the main dining room at Simpson's in the Strand?" We'll be staying in that area for a night right before leaving for Paris.

It's traditional British food, very high quality, grand(ish) surroundings, being an American, you will love it.

Sunday morning go to Columbia Road Flower Market and have coffee and pastries while reading the papers at "The Grind"

A couple of questions:
1. We're not beef eaters, but we do love lamb, pork, fowl... Would Simpson's be a waste on us? I did make reservations, but now I'm wondering.

2. I'm a florist. Is the "Columbia Road Flower Market" really flowers, or is it more garden supplies, etc.? ((f))

Katiebug, it's much more garden supplies in the little shops and many booths. When the actual market is taking place (Sunday is the only day I've been there), there are quite a few places selling flowers, but most of the auctioning seemed to be for bedding plants and other potted plants, not flowers. Go anyway. You'll get a kick out of it.

Once again m_kingdom makes a totally false generalization about Americans.
I happen to be American and I didn't love Simpson's. I found it overpriced for what it was, too brightly lit, and just average in food quality. I'm not sure why my being American should have made me want to love that, but I guess no two Americans can have different opinions according to the "expert".

Hmmmm. To cancel reservations, or not to cancel....

I've seen several reviews & yours is the first negative, Patrick. I know everyone is has an opinion, and I respect yours. We live in N. California, are not real beef eaters (think "California cuisine" lovers, not to imply that Californians don't like beef, of course), but I was thinking it would be a special "authentic English" spot for our "last supper" in London. We love a lot of diverse types of foods (including, but not limited to Thai, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, Italian, German, Afghani, Moroccan, vegetarian, etc.). I was looking for something special. Any other suggestions for the area around Thistle Charing Cross? Anyone? (I don't really want to go higher in price than Simpson's, by the way.)

This thread has not made me life easier...not at all. I'm going to London at the beginning of September for the first, so I'm starting to read everything I can about London so I can somewhat structure my day...you guys have made much more difficult now...How am I supposed to cram all these sights and activities in 8 days?!? :)

This is a great thread!

Well for starters if you want traditional British, I'd really go to Rules, a short walk, instead of Simpsons. The setting is so much more spectacular and I think the food is better. If the timing is right go for their pre-theatre seating and you'll save quite a bit of money. It isn't one of those usual "choose-from-the-three-losing-dishes-we-offer" menus, but rather choose anything from their menu at a reduced set price.

I don't think mine has been the only negative Simpson's review here. Have you searched this forum just for "Simpson's in the Strand"? And we did do a big English breakfast at Simpson's that was very good -- although of course pricey.

There is a fun place with good food right along the Strand close to you called Salieri. It is sort of a supper club place, with entertainment. Their starter of oysters baked with spinach and gruyere were fantastic. It's a varied menu as well -- not Italian, not French.

For your final "splurge" dinner, you might also want to consider Indigo or J.Sheekey (primarily great seafood). Both are a fairly short walk for you.
Another thought just beyond Indigo is Bank, rather bustling and "trendy" but quite good food, although you may feel more like you're in a typical trendy California place than London. Since you'll have been there for a few days, you may want to pass by some of these places and pick one. You should normally be able to get a reservation a day or two ahead (with the possible exception of J.Sheekey), depending upon the night and time you want.

Here's a thread to look at. In reviewing it I was shocked to see my own comments in which I said I hated the breakfast. Now in thinking about it, and looking up my journal I guess that was true, I had forgotten. Sometimes the mind plays tricks, or maybe I'm just getting old and forgetful.

As you will see mine was not the only negative however about Simpson's in the Strand.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

Candle light concert of the Academy of St Martins in the Field at St Martins in the Field. Unbelievably exquisite.

Patrick: for some reason, I can't get your link. Nothing happens & I've tried it several times both clicking on it, and cutting & pasting it. Don't know why. I thought I saw as much as possible about Simpson's. Apparently, I'm mistaken. However, you've given us WONDERFUL tips on alternatives! Thank you so much. Everyone else too! Let's keep it coming. I'm sure we're not even close to 100. :-d

Hmm, Katibug, I see what you mean, even though I cut and pasted that link. Go to the search function. Type in simply "Simpsons" (note the lack of an apostrophe) and click UK. The eighth thread down should be titled "Simpson's in the Strand" and has a lot of posts on it.

Patrick: Done. I think I'll cancel our reservations. For some reason, I thought JUST MAYBE m_kingdom was giving me good advise. Silly me. 8} Thanks for helping to straighten me out! I'd hate to be the butt of a $200 joke, missing a truly wonderful dinner for a mediocre one.

"For some reason, I thought JUST MAYBE m_kingdom was giving me good advise. Silly me"

Silly is right! m_kindgom is the same person who when asked for a place for fish and chips suggested J.Sheekey. Now that may be one of my favorite upscale restaurants in London -- but for fish and chips? Through all the nasty bitterness m_kingdom throws around, particularly in showing hatred for anything and anyone (gasp) American -- you also have to realize that there seems to be a definite attempt to totally mislead and embarrass the American traveler to London who may follow through on some advice. Maybe it's just a way this sad person tries to get back at people who happen to be American!

You really do read far too much into my motives, I give advice that I myself would follow. Pre-theatre I usually dine at Simpson's, the foods traditional, certainly not Gordon Ramsay, but I always enjoy it for what it is. The history that accompanies this place is worth bearing in mind too.

If you were to ask me to recommend my "local" I'd say Claridge's Bar, no attempt to mislead, but that is how I see it. Hence, for fish and chips I'd always advise on going to J. Sheekey.