Also, what should I try from the menu? I was just reading about traditional toad in the hole online. Is it any good? What about Yorkshire pudding? The closest I have come to eating English food here in the U.S. is fish and chips and we probably don't even do it the right way. I may have the chance to visit the UK in June so any helpful suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!
2006-11-20 03:17:31 · 14 answers · asked by Justme 4 in Dining Out ➔ United Kingdom ➔ London
Thanks for the tips my friends! Everything sounds so delicious! I love anything roasted or with lotsa gravy and it sounds like there are alot of menu items right up my alley! I am in love with English culture! I went to Big Ben British Pub in Charlotte, NC on Sunday night which is actually run by a older woman from England. Had a great ole' time there with my co-workers. Chewtills...can I come to your folk's house for dinner? I promise to wash all the dishes! LOL!! Actually, I am not sure myself where I would be staying in London. I would be tagging along with my mother and her high school English class. Here is the intinerary...
http://www.acis.com/trips/tripfound.asp?Code=TAL
It mentions a visit to St Paul's Cathedral and Windsor Castle, so maybe we would be staying near those places.
2006-11-20 04:04:26 · update #1
Sian, sorry I see your correct screename is SiAnYbAbY. Somehow it looked like Chewtills when I fist viewed it.
2006-11-20 04:20:48 · update #2
Wow! How can I pick a best answer? Most all of these suggestions sound wonderful! Since I have never experienced London and it's many fine restaurants, I think I had better put this one to a vote! Cheers!
2006-11-25 08:06:55 · update #3
If you've got the budget and you want very traditional, then try Rules in London. It does traditional English food, mainly game, and is the oldest restaurant in London. Charles Dickens used to eat there.
http://www.rules.co.uk/
Otherwise, try
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk
and do a search for British restaurants - there are a few around.
As for traditional food, these are some of my favourites:
Toad in the hole - sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding - it's OK
Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding (a savoury batter similar to pancakes that rises in the over) and all the trimmings
Roast chicken, bacon rolls, bread sauce, stuffing and the trimmings
Game - pheasant, rabbit, duck, partridge, grouse
Fish, chips and mushy peas
Steak and kidney pie
Steak and guiness pie
Cottage pie (mince with potato topping)
Lancashire hotpot (lamb stew with sliced potatoes on top)
Welsh rarebit (fancy cheese on toast)
Brown windsor soup
and for pudding:
Eton mess (fruit, cream and meringue)
Bread and butter pudding with custard
Spotted dick (sponge pudding with currants) and custard
Apple pie
Summer pudding
Apple crumble
Trifle
Custard tart
Jam roly poly
Jam tarts
Yum!
Enjoy your trip...
2006-11-20 03:32:29 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah A 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you want the ultimate Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding, you will not go wrong if you go to Simpsons-in-the-Strand, in London (any taxi driver will know how to get you there) but be prepared to pay high prices.
On the other hand Toad in the Hole is very very very good indeed, but would recommend that you find someone to make it for you, as in my experience, it is a dish best served home-made and eaten on a very cold and wintery day when you are very hungry. Hope this helps.
2006-11-21 00:28:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you want to have a real special meal in a traditional english restaurant, you definitely have to go to Simpson's in the Strand!A restaurant which has been there since 1828!
You must try the meat that the cooks bring in trays and cut right there in front of you!
Ofcourse the prices are not... fast-food-ish but you will have a meal to remember there. Just make sure you reserve a table and also check out whether they offer a set menu.
2006-11-20 22:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by raz21 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try Porters, just off Covent Garden, central London. It is not stuffy or pretentious and serves traditional British food at reasonable prices. Be warned though, Britain is a lot more expensive than the States for eating out!
While you are in the UK, why don't you pick a cook book of regional British recipes? Most people are pleasantly surprised by the variety of British cooking.
Enjoy your trip and welcome to the United Kingdom!
2006-11-20 03:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by 13caesars 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All the above are to some extent true...but THE biggest change has been in the rise of people NOT going to pubs and drinking at home instead. There are something like 100 pubs closing every WEEK in the UK because they are not financially viable anymore. At that rate, the pub will be obsolete within 50 years.
2016-05-21 22:23:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Toad in the hole is bloody beautiful! I'm a final year student in London and when I go home to my mum and dad's in Southern England for the holidays the first thing I ask me mum is to make is Toad in the hole with loads of gravy! Oh it soooo good! you have to try it!
Sunday dinner is also good, roast chicken (or beef, lamb or pork) with roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, brocoli, pea's, yorkshire pudding, stuffing, little sausages wrapped up in bacon (pigs in blankets!!!) gravy and a selection of sauces is a family favourite every sunday with all of it whacked on one plate! Try and go for a good carvary in a traditional pub for the best sunday dinner.
Fish and Chips....A fabulous meal in itself! Especially with curry sause and ketchup but thats my personal opinion! Great Fish and Chips can be found in the older parts of London, don't buy them in Central London as they are crap, head to Greenwich which is in South London for some great tasting and inexpensive fish and chips. I live in Greenwich and love promoting it! You can eat any cuisine from around the world in Greenwich!
Finally pie and mash is long term favourite in London, especially in east london, where most of the original English Londoners live, try Brick lane, Limehouse or Bow for the best pie and mash houses. Also there are great sausage and mash shops around portobello road and notting hill.
Oh and by the way you didn't say where you are going to stay in London, if you let me know I can direct you to some more great places!
Hope you enjoy your visit!
Sian.xxx
2006-11-20 03:33:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most pubs serve typical English grub. I'd recommend Wetherspoons (branches everywhere) but good ones are Leicester Square and Wardour Street (opposite Starbucks Coffee). Good food and cheap drinks and a very pleasant atmosphere although particularly busy on Match days and weekends (especially Leicester Square). Wherever you live, you should have a Wetherspoons. Try their Chocolate fudge cake and they have sunday lunch offers too including drinks.
2006-11-24 00:01:55 · answer #7 · answered by Lex T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get the plowman's lunch. It's a tiny helping of cheddar cheese and a chutney relish. I just looked at a site in the USA that says it includes a salad and roll, but I don't recall ever getting that. If it sounds delicious, ask specifically what's included.
2006-11-20 03:34:45 · answer #8 · answered by keiko 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You will find a wide range of British restaurants on the following website:
www.toptable.co.uk
There's also Brian Turner's restaurant which is at the Millenium Hotel Grosvenor Square. (Brian Turner is a well-known British chef).
2006-11-21 07:00:08 · answer #9 · answered by Moglai 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You simply must go to 'The Ivy' darling!!
It's simple good Hangover/pub food, like bangers and mash. Although it is a bit pricey... Definitely a must if you're visiting here.
2006-11-20 03:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by Coley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋