London Restaurant Tips by flyingcaribou

Restaurant Name: The Coal Hole

Newly refurbished pub dating back to 1914. Used to be frequented by the coal heavers in the days of London's smoggy days. It eventually was the popular place to go for songs and cartoonists.

Part of the Savoy building; it was designed by Thomas Collcutt. Beautiful Art Nouveau decor. Well preserved. White leaded glass windows, ornate wood carved bar. near the top of the high walls there is an ornate marble frieze of maidens picking vines. Fake wooden beams on the ceiling.

Favorite Dish: We only went for a couple of pints and lunch on a Sunday in the Winter. I had a club sandwich and it was very good...served on three slices of grainary bread with chips. My partner had a cheese and tomato panini with mango chutney and it was also very good. The beer was served cold.

The place soon filled up with people coming in for a quick pint after church. The prices were surprisingly reasonable compared to the Covent Gardens high tourist trap prices.

It is clean and well managed with friendly attentive staff.

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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: less expensive than average

Address: 91 Strand
Directions: Charing Cross station, on the Strand between Trafalgar Square and Covent Gardens. Part of the Savoy building.

Restaurant Name: Pizza Organic

It was my first time there. My friend told me it is part of a chain across London. All ingredients are organic. I had the Calzone Verdura and it was very good. My friend had the Frittata and she also enjoyed her meal. The prices are reasonable.

According to their website, their original menus were designed by the famous British chef, Jamie Oliver.

Favorite Dish: Favourite dish...well I would have to try a few more things first.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 7589 9613
Address: 20 Old Brompton Road, London
Website: www.pizzaorganic.co.uk

Restaurant Name: Wagamama

They have these restaurants allover the UK. Some of their other locations: Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Dubai, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Turkey and the USA. I hope they finally decide to finally open in Canada one day...

They do not offer sushi, it is more of a noodle bar often set in a basement location. It is always very popular. It is oten loud and full of people. They have long communal tables with benches where people sit to eat their meal. The server will show-up with an electronic pad and keys in your order as you make your choices. For this reason they will tell you that the food will show-up at the table as soon as it is ready. There are no appetizers, they are listed to be side-dishes.

This particular location is set in a building owned by the Queen. For this reason there have been certain restrictions put upon the restaurant; no take-away. So even if the some want to bring their leftovers in a small container to bring home, (what we call in Canada, a doggy-bag) they won't be able to do so here. I guess it helps keep a certain type of business out of the building (i.e. fast-food)

If you are looking for a great meal which can be really healthy, I really recommend this restaurant.

Favorite Dish: I never have the same thing and I have never been disappointed!

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: about average

Phone: + 44 (0) 207 376 1717
Address: 26 High street, Kensington, London, UK
Directions: turn right as you leave the tube station, on the North side of the street, just before Kensington Park. Next to Habitat.
Website: http://www.wagamama.com/

Restaurant Name: Papageno Restaurant - The show after the show

We only went there for a few drinks after the show as one of the gang brought us there; she had been there before and thought we might find it interesting... WOW!

If you want to see something really different, you should take a little detour and go there. The restaurant seems to be pretty big and is decorated with what seems to be every single theatre prop in London... There is so much to see... Trashy and "kitch"... really funny! The lavatories, well, if you are brave and open minded, just have a look! Great place to go for a bit of fun with your friends!

I am not sure about the food, maybe next time we'll give it a try... tell me what you think of it.

Open seven days a week including Bank Holidays and Christmas Day. Open from 12.00pm until late with last food orders at 11.45pm.

Children are welcome and high chairs available.


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Theme: Italian

Phone: 020 7836 4444
Address: 29-31 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7DB
Directions: Covent Garden on the corner of Wellington and Exeter Street
Website: www.papagenorestaurant.com
Other Contact: reservations@papagenorestaurant.

Restaurant Name: Pizza On The Park

The food and the service were very good. We were lucky as there were not too many people there at the time. It seems to be a place to "see and be seen". The modern decor did not match it's historical site but worked well. It was light and airy with it's high ceiling and large windows.


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 7235 7825
Address: 11 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LY

Restaurant Name: Richoux

We went there for coffee and a pastry after dinner. We went to the very posh Mayfair part of London. Just before going in, we saw a crowd gathered around the store next door. A very large crowd with security guards standing; blocking the local traffic. It was Michael Jackson shopping with his son... not my cup of tea but it was still nice to know we were in the right spot. LOL! I really don't care about these things but one of my friends does love all the "Star" gossip...

The pastry was good and I enjoyed my cappucino. I was told the teas were lovely!

They also have other locations in London:
89 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW3 1ER tel 020 7584 8300
172 Piccadilly, Piccadilly, W1J 9EJ tel 020 7493 2204
3 Circus Road, St John's Wood, NW8 6NX tel 020 7283 4001


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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 7629 5228
Address: 41a South Audely Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 2PS
Other Contact: email: mayfair@richoux.co.uk