London Restaurant Tips by keida84

Restaurant Name: St Martin's in the Fields Crypt cafe

This landmark church crypt with its brick-vaulted ceilings, pillars and gravestones on the floor is not a place one would put a cafe there. St Martins in the Field Cafe is the home for the Cafe at the Crypt, certainly strange and a bit disconcerting sitting at talbles and chairs placed over and amoung the gravesites of people long ago. We arrived early to have a traditional "English Breakfast" for very little money.

Typical Prices in BPS (British Pound Sterling):
Hot Main Course 5.95-7.50 includes three vegetables
Main Course Salads 6.75
House wine 2.95 per glass or 11.50 per bottle

No-smoking area. Children welcome. Major credit cards accepted.

Opening Times:
Monday - Wednesday 8.00am - 8.00pm
Thursday - Saturday 8.00am - 10.30pm
Sunday 12 noon - 8.00pm

Favorite Dish: The traditional English breakfast consisted of: beans, scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, black pudding, and mushrooms, the 2 latter items I graciously declined. Kristi (dabs) who is what I would classify as an "epicuriean" tried the black pudding prior to asking Stace (beach_dog) what is was. She did not finish it but I give her credit for a good "try" which is more than I would have done.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 020 - 7766 1100
Address: Trafalgar Square London WC2N 4JJ
Directions: St Martin-in-the-Fields is at the north eastern corner of Trafalgar Square. Any bus bound for the Strand or Charing Cross Road, OR take the underground to Charing Cross or Leicester Square and follow the signs to the National Gallery.

Restaurant Name: Galileo Ristorante

After I had been on an airplane for 10 hours I was ready to get out and see London. Since I was "kat-napped" by my friend Kristi, I had very little say in the matter but I knew food would be her first priority. We arrived at Galileo Ristorante, the atmosphere is casual elegance with a lovely chandelier as a focal point to the upstairs restaurant. There were quite a few patrons in the restaurant espeically for a Thursday evening. There is also a larger part of the restaurant downstairs for group events and parties. The restaurant is local to many of the nice theatres in the district and they are a perfect for pre-theatre dinner.

Favorite Dish: I had the Pizza Margharita, it was very very good. I always judge a restaurant in their selections of dessert, if they are not fantastic then I do not consider it to be a great restaurant. There was a unique item on the Galileo menu that I enjoyed-- an orange chocolate mousse. When it was served I almost, now mind you almost, did not want to eat it it was so beautifully prepared and presented. I got past that thought quickly and found it to be delightful. It was not too sweet and the pungent flavor of orange was subtle yet satisfying.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 7839 3939
Address: 71 Haymarket London SW1Y 4RW
Directions: Nearest tube is Piccadilly Circus

Restaurant Name: Tas

I hosted a get together on a Friday night in January. I wanted to find a restaurant that would be different but fun, relaxed and casual without a huge price tag. I selected Tas because it was within walking distance of my hotel, with reasonable prices and a nice environment for us to gather in. The decor has a clean linear look to it. The kitchen was behind a low counter and we could see the chefs preparing the food, every once in a while there would be a flare of fire shooting up from the burners on the stove, it created quite a buzz in the restaurant once we realised they were doing it for "show."

Favorite Dish: For starters we opted for several dishes, one was traditional hummus dip and bread. Another version of that was made with eggplant and it too, was quite tasty. Many ordered the lamb I however, opted for a pasta dish which was quite tasty. I did not have dessert which is unusual for me. Everyone commented on the savory flavor of the food and were pleased with their meal. A long walk back to the hotel was welcomed as i felt I was heavily ladened down with food.

The Tas waitstaff was curteous and efficient. A great restaurant and a great place to meet people. Nect time you are in London give it a try.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 020 7637 4555
Address: 22 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3QJ
Directions: In the Bloomsbury district use the Tottenham Court tube
Website: http://www.tasrestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Giraffe

Giraffe is a chain of restaurnts which can be found in many UK towns and cities. Hampstead, Marylebone, Battersea, Chiswick, Richmond and Kensington to name a few.

This funky atmosphere and good food made for a wonderful get together of 9 people at the spur of the moment. I am happy to report that they were able to handle a wheelchair and even had a restroom separate from the one downstairs to accomodate the disabled guest.

The menu was vast and eclectic with items ranging from Fresh fruit smoothies to full course entrees.

Favorite Dish: I had the Angus burger which was tasty with the right amount of spices on a kaiser roll aka "a Barm". If you like a lot of chocolate well then you must certainly try the chocolate brownie a la mode. It was way too much chocolate for me but then again most chocolate can be too much for me.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 7938 1221
Address: 7 Kensinton High Street London W8 5NP