PrintQuestion of the Day: Going to London and Madrid recommend good, cheapish resturants?
Hi
I am heading to London for a week and Madrid for two days for work. I'm near Kings Cross in London and someplace called Arganzuela in Madrid. I have never been overseas- can you recommend good, not too expensive places for dinner (and maybe lunch) in those areas? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
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6 Comments:
Hi! I can address the London half of your inquiry.
Chinese: There is fantastic (cheap!) Dim Sum at a place on Lisle St., which is just north of Leicester Square. I think the place is called Super Star (it has a deep purple storefront), and they do half-price dim sum for lunch, which means two can eat well for ten pounds. Nearby on Wardour St is Misato, which serves very large portions of Chinese and Japanese food for about 7 pounds.
For the best barbecue I've had outside of Alabama, go to Bodean's. There's one in Soho and one just off the Clapham Common tub station. Their specials run between 6 and 10 pounds.
For Mexican food, head to Brixton to the Dog Star on Coldharbour Lane: they serve the best Mission-style burrito in London, for 5.50 (two for the price of one on Mondays.)
If you're around on a Saturday, be sure to visit Borough Market, which is one of the best food locations in the world. It's more retail than dinner, but there's plenty of RTE stuff and free samples. Be sure to check out Neal's Yard Dairy, which is nearby and is ground zero for UK cheese.
Also at Borough is Fish! Kitchen, a market stand that does the best fish and chips in London according to many, for around 8 pounds. Fish! has a sit-down place as well, which is very posh and rather more expensive. I recommend wandering to The Rake for a great selection of bottled beers, and then back to Fish! for your supper.
As to Madrid -- I'm heading there this weekend.
lawforfood at 9:49AM on 07/12/07
Make sure you also sample the many varieties of tapas -- you can get a basic idea of the food culture in Madrid by grazing.
hatlady at 11:15AM on 07/12/07
I'm going to break this down by areas in London you'll most likely visit...
Tottenham Court_ The Rock and Sole Plaice, 47 Endell St, some of the best fish and chips in the city. Listed in most city guide books, but isn't loaded with tourists.
Piccadilly Circus_ If you're interested in art, visit the Institute of Contemporary Art and Design, located on the Mall. They have a great cafe there.
Hyde Park_ Make your way towards Edgware Rd. Every restaurant on that road is amazing, legitimate middle eastern food. Cheap and authentic.
Markets_ all the markets have amazing food, especially Notting Hill and Spitafields.
East London_ Or go beyond Spitafields towards Brick Lane, famous for its curry restaurants.
High tea_ Go to high tea at the Orangery in Hyde Park, located on the NW side of the park. Very traditional high tea, amazing food- scones (have to have the currant!!), pastries, sandwiches, perfect butternut squash soup, beautiful space, outdoor seating, with very affordable prices
mjcapoce at 2:16PM on 07/12/07
More London advice:
For 'curry' in Brick Lane, I would suggest Mai'da or New Tayyabs (you really go to the latter for lamb kebabs). Also, Sweet and Spicy is a good workers' cafe - very basic, but cheep and good. The other Brick Lane places I'd leave alone, as they are invariably disappointing.
If you're in the East End, you can also walk up Kingsland Road and go to one of the many Vietnamese places. Viet Hua and Song Que are good. I also like Au Lac, which is a little bit smarter (the other two are basically canteens).
For a traditional, very good, East End cafe, go to E Pelicci in Bethnal Green Road. It's in a great old art deco (but working class) space, completely un-touristy, and their fried breakfast is really good.
In Spitalfields, go to Canteen, which has great, reasonably priced British food. Leon's, right next door, does fresh, innovative, delicious fast food.
For fish and chips, the most highly regarded traditional place in London is probably The Golden Hind in Marylebone. It's fantastic. Also in Marylebone is La Fromagerie, a fantastic gourmet food shop specialising in cheese. They do lovely prepared foods as well, and you can sit and eat and watch all of the rather posh mothers and their children pick out sweets.
I agree with lawforfood that you should go to Borough Market, but I think you should try to go on Friday, not Saturday when it is so crowded that it's almost not worth it. I'd go on Friday afternoon, once the lunch crowd is gone.
caley at 6:40AM on 07/13/07
Hi,
Just exactly where are you staying in Madrid? Arganzuela is where La Latina is, which is an area with many tapas places, and also very near to Plaza Mayor which is the most typical :)
Greets,
nek0 from Madrid
nek0 at 11:14AM on 07/14/07
Thanks so much for the London suggestions- I can't wait to find all these places. I am hoping to be able to spend a whole weekend in London before the work week starts and I will try to make it to the markets.
My friend's wedding is at the Hotel Rafael Atocha and I am staying nearby- still working on that. Will have a full 24 hours for sightseeing by myself. It looks to be near Retiro, Centro and Arganzuela. Heading to Barnes and Nobel right now for guidebooks to the two cities.
I really appreciate all the wonderful suggestions- You guys are great!
fsmchang at 1:33PM on 07/14/07