Cholmondley_Warner

the fish places we discussed above but did not book either of them yet.>>>>

Booking a table in a chippie is like booking a table in McDonalds. They'd laugh out loud at you. Just pitch up. If they're busy go to the pub for half an hour and come back. You'll be fine.

ekscrunchy

Hi Cholley: I meant that I did not book either of the poncey fish places at the top of this thread--J. Sheekey or Bentley! Actually, I took at look at the prices and felt a little weak, since we will be treating friends!

Fra_Diavolo

I had a memorable dinner at Tayyab about two weeks ago. Here's what I wrote in my trip report:

Dinner -- New Tayyab

Incredible Pakistani food in Whitechapel. Order the lamb chops. It’s BYOB but beware -- the neighborhood has only some pretty barebones Off Licenses. I couldn’t find a bottle I liked, so we had the mango lassi, which was delicious. Make a reservation, as the place is very popular and very crowded.

And if you're looking for something to do Sunday night, this is what we did:

There we liked the look of a place called Leong’s Legends -- and this was a revelation. I later learned that it is famous for its dim sum. As it happens, they keep a few on the dinner menu, too. We had the vegetarian and the crab meat dumplings (astounding), a plate of the green beans with minced pork (vibrant) a fiery dish of chicken and chilies and another of lamb in an aromatic broth (delicious, but the lamb itself was an odd cut and a little gummy). Drank a bottle of NZ sauvignon blanc.

For fish and chips (Monday night) we went to North Sea, also mentioned in the report, which you can find here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-wales.cfm

Fra_Diavolo

Given the interest in Tayyabs, perhaps I should expand on that. The Karahi lamb chops are served as an appetizer and as a main course. You find them listed on the back page along with chicken Tikka dish which my wife ordered, and this too was superb. She pronounced it the best she'd tatsed, and since she orders it in every Indian restaurant, I suspect she knows ehat she's talking about. The chops are seasoned in punjabi spices, then grilled I think, and finished in a spicy sauce. Mine were medium rare tending towards rare, exactly as I like them.

Side dishes were Sag Allo -- spinach and potatoes, and Karahi mixed vegetables bell pepper, eggplant and some others which I can't recall right now, served in a light spicy sauce. Naan and rice pilaf, of course.

The mango lassi, which I'd never tried before, was not as sweet as I feared, and had a nice salty under taste. I really didn't miss my wine or beer. Well, yes I did, but there was nothing to be done about it.

Service is brisk -- you'll be in and out in an hour. Or you'd better be, because the people standing in line are watching you . . .

sessa

I recently made reservations at L'Atelier for lunch and Boxwood Cafe (one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants) for dinner in a few weeks. Any comments on either of those places?

I am now also thinking that we need to check out New Tayyab for a meal as it sounds right up our alley.

ekscrunchy

FraD: Thanks so much! I am planning to read your report today because it sounds as if there is lots of good information! We have to make the most of our short time in London and I want to make sure all of our meals are top notch!

I am not sure if I would know good fish and chips from great fish and chips, but we do want to sample at least one chippie place! (I am sure that is not how you would say it but you get my drift!!)

ncounty

Thanks also, Fra_Diavolo! funny how we are all running in the same circles within a few weeks of each other! I will definitely try to check out those places; your descriptions have me salivating already.....all my favorite orders including the mango lassi.

Sessa- I will be at Boxwood cafe next weekend; if I have internet access, I will post a report/update. I am also going to one of his pubs the next day, Sunday. I forget the name but the decor was gorgeous.

If any Londoners are up for a casual GTG, just let me know. I am staying in the British museum/Covent garden area and would be delighted to grab a pint of beer somewhere.

Cholmondley_Warner

If any Londoners are up for a casual GTG, just let me know. I am staying in the British museum/Covent garden area and would be delighted to grab a pint of beer somewhere.>>>

My mum told me to never talk to strangers. But I ignored her.

I'd be up for it.

ekscrunchy

Give me the dates! How exciting! We have a chance to meet a real live cockney in person!

ncounty

May 14 to 17th. (next Thursday through Sunday) What dates are you there, ekscrunchy? Happy hour in a pub somewhere, CW?

Cholmondley_Warner

Any day is good for me I think. I work in Scotland Yard (ie Victoria) so anywhere in Central London is cool for me.

My email is [email protected]

It's a long story...

ncounty

Let's shoot for Thursday as it may be less busy than Friday and less likely to have a wait.....we'll wait and see if ekscrunchy is there that date and can readjust if his dates are later. CW, can you pick a place in the Covent Garden/West end/British museum area that you like? I'll plan to be there.....is 5 or 5:30 pm enough time for you to get there after work?

ekscrunchy

Oh, well..we arrive next Sunday and are leaving Wednesday, so we will just miss you!

We have so little time--only 3 nights!

Custard Monster is no worse than Ekscrunchy! If I had known what I was getting into when I chose that name...!

ncounty

sorry we'll miss you, ek. just check in here if you want to try to do something Monday but it IS a short trip and certainly sounds like it will be jam packed.

C_W, I'll wait to hear from you regarding where.

ekscrunchy

NCounty: I will let you know here..I am not sure if we will have time because we will also meet up with my sister. Her husband is directing a play and they are living there for a couple of months; please forgive shameless publicity:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle6250580.ece

I do hope to meet you sometime..I will post back if we can do it on Monday..

Cholmondley_Warner

Ncounty - you have limey mail....

ncounty

the show looks fantastic, ek! I will certainly try to get tickets. Thanks for sharing with us.

ekscrunchy

Here is a good site for restaurants:



http://www.hardens.com/

NCounty: If you go (the play is 3 hours long, by the way) let me know what you think! We will be there on Tuesday...

ekscrunchy

One more: Menu from Rock and Sole Plaice:


http://www.hollyeats.com/images/Euro...kSole-Menu.jpg

Golden Hind menu:

http://www.hollyeats.com/images/Euro...nHind-Menu.jpg

ncounty

I'll just miss you again, ekscrunchy....I hope to go on Monday. But, I will let you know! I think I have internet access in my hotel room, wireless, and will update. It sounds great!