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Post by viserys on Sept 18, 2016 5:58:05 GMT
Glad this thread has popped up. Walking down St Martin's Lane today, there seems to be a newish Indian Restaurat next to Jamie's Italian called the 'Dish Room', it always seems popular as when I went past today and many times recently, there is always a line outside. Has anyone been in there? Because I opt to see a lot of theatre, I cannot be so flamboyant in my eating tastes, but I love Pret A Manger and Caffe Nero. Yea I mentioned it above, it's called Dishoom and styles itself as a "classical Bombay cafe". www.dishoom.com/I LOVE the place, as it's not your typical cliche Indian with stiff white tableclothes and waiters in starched shirts but really more like a laid-back cafe with young staff and nice decorations. The food is great too, albeit on the expensive side and they have "real" Indian drinks like Limca lemonade. The black daal is to die for. Unless you go in the middle of the afternoon between the lunch and dinner rushes it's nearly impossible to just walk in and sit down for a meal. I wish there were more Indians like that in Theatreland. |
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 18, 2016 7:05:16 GMT
Leon was replaced by Muriel's Kitchen, which also opened a branch in Leicester Square and was quite nice. I know it has closed again in Leicester Square but I'm actually not sure if it's still in Old Compton Street. I believe Muriel's Kitchen is still open on Old Compton Street. Does anyone have any recommendations for Italian restaurants that are relatively close to the theatre area at all? I've already mentioned a few in my last post that I frequent when I make a trip and I have also been to Bella Italia (for the sake of a quick bite) and Spaghetti House. Just curious for a few more places to try when I'm next down in November. San Carlo Cicchetti on Piccadilly (very near Piccadilly Circus station) is lovely - we sat at the bar pre-theatre and it was quick with wonderfully polite, attentive service and gorgeous food. (And I'm seriously fussy!) Would suggest booking if you want a table at that time. There are also branches in Covent Garden and Bangkok, though I haven't tried those!  www.sancarlocicchetti.co.uk |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2016 7:40:18 GMT
A general top tip if you are in the Covent Garden area - the restaurants around Holborn tube are much quieter pre-theatre, so a 5 minute walk in that direction can be useful. Most of the normal chains are there
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379 posts
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Post by ctas on Sept 18, 2016 9:52:41 GMT
Glad this thread has popped up. Walking down St Martin's Lane today, there seems to be a newish Indian Restaurat next to Jamie's Italian called the 'Dish Room', it always seems popular as when I went past today and many times recently, there is always a line outside. Has anyone been in there? Because I opt to see a lot of theatre, I cannot be so flamboyant in my eating tastes, but I love Pret A Manger and Caffe Nero. Yea I mentioned it above, it's called Dishoom and styles itself as a "classical Bombay cafe". www.dishoom.com/I LOVE the place, as it's not your typical cliche Indian with stiff white tableclothes and waiters in starched shirts but really more like a laid-back cafe with young staff and nice decorations. The food is great too, albeit on the expensive side and they have "real" Indian drinks like Limca lemonade. The black daal is to die for. Unless you go in the middle of the afternoon between the lunch and dinner rushes it's nearly impossible to just walk in and sit down for a meal. I wish there were more Indians like that in Theatreland. I love Dishoom! Worth noting they have another branch right by the King's Cross theatre. I do try to go a little on the early side for a table there, just after whatever show ends and you should be fine! |
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8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 18, 2016 10:08:45 GMT
I miss the Stockpot in Panton Street. Great value for money and where else could you get soup, liver and bacon and steamed sponge pudding and custard with a cup of tea for under a tenner? Was always full of people going to the theatre and great if you were dining alone.
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Post by chrismis on Sept 18, 2016 15:30:06 GMT
I miss the Stockpot in Panton Street. Great value for money and where else could you get soup, liver and bacon and steamed sponge pudding and custard with a cup of tea for under a tenner? Was always full of people going to the theatre and great if you were dining alone. There's still a Stockpot in Old Compton St. as far as I know. I used to eat there regularly about 20 years ago and yes it was amazing value for money! I don't have time for a meal these days on my 'matinee day trips' to London but I have many happy memories of my 'stagey' between show meals there! |
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Post by d'James on Sept 18, 2016 15:38:20 GMT
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1,503 posts
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Post by foxa on Sept 18, 2016 16:13:08 GMT
I'm a fan of Wahaca - there are several. The one right on the South Bank can get crowded, but you can usually find a table at the one near the Old Vic or Covent Garden - but, annoyingly they don't do reservations, so you can be left sipping your passionfruit mojito longer than you might like: www.wahaca.co.uk/locations/ |
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1,103 posts
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Post by mallardo on Sept 18, 2016 16:18:17 GMT
Agree on Wahaca - even though it's not "real" Mexican food it's excellent in its own way. The margaritas are certainly real.
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Post by chrismis on Sept 18, 2016 16:23:53 GMT
Oh how sad! It really was a great little place. Thanks for posting the article,it was a lovely reminder of all the very filling 'set' meals I ate there.and a great tribute to the owners. I always felt I'd had a 'healthy' meal because they served 'piles' of veg. with everything!!! |
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Post by d'James on Sept 18, 2016 16:32:23 GMT
Yeah. It's a shame, I only went there once. I noticed it was gone earlier this year and found that article soon after. It was a sort of reassuring presence in Soho.
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3,580 posts
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Post by showgirl on Sept 18, 2016 16:52:59 GMT
I still hanker after the days when Mildred's (vegetarian and vegan cafe, now in Lexington St) was in its original Greek St location. So handy for the West End; the food was tremendous (and cheap and substantial); the waitresses (they were all female) knew me and so on. I did go a couple of times after it moved but it wasn't the same or as easy to access. It was also great for being somewhere a woman on her own could feel completely comfortable, which I'm not in the major chains, ideal though they otherwise are.
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on Sept 19, 2016 7:36:28 GMT
Benito's hat does good and cheap burrito's, sushi take-aways/subways and chill in the park (When the weather is good), and sometimes I enjoy a steak at Chiquito. Awful atmosphere but the food is pretty good and it's cheap Is he still looking, after over forty six hours, for that perfect place to grab a quick and cheap bite? This reply was so not necessary. I was only trying to help out someone here, maybe he can use my recommendations another time. But I hope you enjoyed pointing this out to me. |
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240 posts
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Post by Anniek on Sept 19, 2016 7:39:40 GMT
I totally forgot about Vapiano (wardour street, Great Portland street, Southwark Street; if going to Menier Chocolate/Globe). Good, fresh Italian cuisine
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2016 8:08:46 GMT
If you're going to the Open Air Theatre, then maybe reconsider your winter goals Francesca on Baker Street has good-sized portions of Italian food for a very affordable sum. Maybe not on Vapiano levels, but I'd still go there again.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 19, 2016 8:48:08 GMT
I think they had one in the 70's in the Kings Road and a couple of others? Ate at Panton St many times. (Lets not go overboard, the food was OK but the price was right. Bring back Chicken Kiev!) |
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8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 19, 2016 9:51:58 GMT
I think they had one in the 70's in the Kings Road and a couple of others? Ate at Panton St many times. (Lets not go overboard, the food was OK but the price was right. Bring back Chicken Kiev!) Yes I fondly remember the Kings Road one too. Stockpots always served fresh cabbage and carrots whatever you were eating. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 19, 2016 14:19:49 GMT
I think they had one in the 70's in the Kings Road and a couple of others? Ate at Panton St many times. (Lets not go overboard, the food was OK but the price was right. Bring back Chicken Kiev!) Yes I fondly remember the Kings Road one too. Stockpots always served fresh cabbage and carrots whatever you were eating. Well the cabbage was fresh when they started cooking it! The present and so far only Mrs Snow, must be very tolerant as I believe it was one of the first places I took her for a slap up meal in London's Glamorous West End! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2016 15:51:30 GMT
Yes I fondly remember the Kings Road one too. Stockpots always served fresh cabbage and carrots whatever you were eating. Well the cabbage was fresh when they started cooking it! The present and so far only Mrs Snow, must be very tolerant as I believe it was one of the first places I took her for a slap up meal in London's Glamorous West End! Mrs Snow must be very tolerant, Mr Snow, or else she was just completely and utterly smitten by you (perhaps you are a dish?) from the off...! The Stockpot served up grub. Cheap, and not always cheerful, and you had to share tables before it was fashionable to do so. Good riddance to it? Where do you take her now to impress her? (Please don't say the Angus Steakhouse!) |
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 20, 2016 7:47:45 GMT
How nice to be asked. (PS Mrs Snow would no doubt echo Liza Tarbucks line. “Darling you’re simply gorgeous…..in the dark”.) We’re always rushing and a heavy meal with wine before theatre is not a sensible option for me. Zzzzzzz However, 1 When we went to Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse we wandered into the ‘food market’ opposite. There was lots of choice and the standard was better than OK, but it was a really fun thing to find. 2 I mentioned On the Bab above. Been twice, cheap, fast and tasty. onthebab.co.uk/coventgarden/3 As others have said Five Guys is a really good quick burger. 4 Surprise no one has mentioned Joe Allens. It would age me terribly to admit how long ago I first went but have been back several times and its always been really good. They don’t pretend to offer ‘fine dining’ and their menu which has hardly changed looks like the fayre you get offered in most ‘restaurant’s’ these days. But sometime the original is still the best and they execute things very well. www.joeallen.co.uk/PS I think it’s an in joke but the Burger is never actually written on the menu. So if you go with friends who are struggling to choose, tell them the Burger is legendary but it’s to special order only. They will have to ask the Waiter if it’s being served tonight? It works every time. Great place to meet friends the staff ensure you’re welcome. 4 There’s an excellent Tapas place on the street outside of Borough Market which is lovely after a matinee at the Chocolate Factory. Name escapes me? To impress or when time allows. 5 Have been to The Ivy Market Grill a few times. On the main Square in Covent Garden its very convenient and not much more expensive than any of the chain restaurants in London. However, the service has been excellent and the food very tasty. No idea if it has links to a more famous restaurant of a similar name. theivymarketgrill.com/ The same friends who recommended this are also saying we must meet next time at www.thedelaunay.com/6 For the first time last week we ate at The Royal Opera House. Two courses before and cheese in the interval. It was surprisingly good food and service but you do pay for it. For the right occasion we will repeat. www.roh.org.uk/visit/restaurants-and-bars/menu-options-and-prices7 The Savoy has an excellent lunch set price menu in a beautiful room. Bottled water, Wine, supplementary options and service can make a ‘bargain’ surprisingly expensive but everyone should do this once. Since the 2008 crash there are lots of these lunch offers to be had in famous hotels, as apparently bankers now have to work a full day. So you’ll be able to enjoy lunch without prats braying next to you! restaurants.lastminute.com/the-savoy-grill/80221 Does anyone know of a Piano Bar in London? Where people actually sing along? |
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Post by avenueqresident on Sept 20, 2016 11:57:13 GMT
Highly recommend Honest Burgers. They have locations between the Stand and Covent Garden and in the heart of Soho (in a tucked away alley). Simple yet delicious affordable options and sit down quick service, make sure you get the bacon ketchup with the rosemary salted chips!
For more adventurous (and still affordable) burger combinations, also try Patty & Bun on Old Compton St!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2016 14:10:16 GMT
Keep meaning to try them. I also recommend Bleeker Street Burgers who have an open-air outlet on the South Bank under Hungerford Bridge over the summer (probably this weekend is your last chance this year though!)
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Post by Nelly on Sept 20, 2016 14:30:28 GMT
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230 posts
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Post by hal9000 on Sept 22, 2016 17:41:46 GMT
How about pre-theatre dinner Funny Girl, aside from Savoy eateries Gordon Ramsay/etc? May well end up going there because it's for a birthday and we want somewhere nice, but I am thinking of options.
We are slow walkers so maybe somewhere between 5-10 mins on foot?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 21:06:31 GMT
Sophie's Steakhouse just up from the Lyceum, or any of the usual chains that side of Covent Garden if you prefer those. Plus Salieri on the Strand as I previously mentioned, and the various chains that also have branches on the Strand.
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