London Travel Tips. Getting around, Food, Sayings...and anything else

[OATEK]

Your guide should even cover pre-arrival into London, eg which window seats (left or right of aircraft) on the flight there would offer the best view of the city skyline as it approaches for landing (particularly LHR)? I'll be interested as I'm flying into LHR in August and arriving during the day time... Anyone knows?

If you are lucky enough to arrive a bit early as a result of a tailwind you might even get a circuit of the city, as we did a year or two back on an SIA A380. We were seated on the left side.

 

[alieninperth]

As you are on a day flight, I would think there is plently of chance for a bog lap or two.

 

[AIRwin]

Thanks! Plan B is to get the right window seat on a short BA flight from DUB to LHR on the same trip also in the day time, although it may use a different runway flying in from the west (compared to long hauls coming from Australia)? I have also been on a flight to LHR once which had to abort the landing and perform a go around - it was at night though...

 

[Mal]

I've watched a lot of planes today. Indeed 747s have flown over south London (near tower bridge) with right hand side being the Thames vantage side.

Then again.. only a small sample, flight tracking websites would assist.

 

[Blinky]

A couple of random thoughts after being there only weeks ago:

Half Tix and other cut price West End ticket sellers are not worth it. The prices are either barely lower and/or have restricted viewing. Better off booking a few days before on the theatre website.

Beware of the "look, kind sir, a gold ring" scam, seemingly the exclusive domain of Eastern Europeans. It was tried on me three times in four days. Someone, male or female "finds" a "gold" ring (actually brass) and offers it to you for 20 quid or more. This scam was tried on us 5 years ago, and it's still happening, so it must work.

Never be tempted to use hotel laundry services. You will always find a nearby laundromat, which will likely be the one the hotel uses, and charges 10 times as much.

More as I think of them.

 

[cove]

This thread has warmed me up for London again starting in July. Tried the winter and it was only super cool when the wind blew or when you stopped walking.
Getting excited about going to Lords for the cricket thanks to our WACA membership.
Mal I think I will pass on the offal and greasy fish and chips. Have never really figured what some Poms are drinking at pubs where they are mixing or shandying. A Sunday pub meal is a huge experience that must not be missed. It tends to start at 3pm for lunch and you have to book ahead for the best ones.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This thread has warmed me up for London .......................Getting excited about going to Lords for the cricket thanks to our WACA membership.

It has me more than warmed up cove - heading to London for first time EVER in late June for 6 nights. Am bursting with excitement at prospect of attending Wimbledon - snagged 2 x centre court tix for Cruiserette and myself via Tennis Australia ballot.

As I said first time either of us there so combing this and other threads for hotel / touristy highlight things to do

 

[Pollywaffle]

It has me more than warmed up cove - heading to London for first time EVER in late June for 6 nights. Am bursting with excitement at prospect of attending Wimbledon - snagged 2 x centre court tix for Cruiserette and myself via Tennis Australia ballot.

As I said first time either of us there so combing this and other threads for hotel / touristy highlight things to do

Lucky you! It's nice to "know" someone that gets tickets via the ballot.

I used to use London as a gateway to Europe but the last couple of trips, I have stayed a couple of weeks each time. I am yet to be bored. The more you scratch, the more you discover.

 

[Edge]

I lived in London for 2 years.

Try this website for booking dinners: www.toptable.co.uk it's free and so many of the restaurants have special offers you can book through there (50% off food, 3 courses for x, etc).

Canal trip from Little Venice up to Camden markets is a great way to spend a Saturday (not too many people know about it)

There is a huge 'Happy Hour' culture - lots of people like to start early and finish early when heading out as cabs are relatively expensive compared with the tube

Don't bother with Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis - if shopping just go straight to Selfridges

Sunday lunch at Kensington Roof Gardens.. beautiful spot

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Suggestions please for an annual Directors Meeting (read that as total nosh-up / swill fest) at a London restaurant July 27, 2013.

Am kind thinkin’ iconic restaurant / preferably not ‘get up ya’ skirt’ pricing but no price ceiling really – 2 male Directors and 2 female much better halves - looking for a ‘knock yer sox off experience’ if that is possible.

Staying at Waldorf if that helps / makes a difference - thanks in advance.

 

[Edge]

Suggestions please for an annual Directors Meeting (read that as total nosh-up / swill fest) at a London restaurant July 27, 2013.

Am kind thinkin’ iconic restaurant / preferably not ‘get up ya’ skirt’ pricing but no price ceiling really – 2 male Directors and 2 female much better halves - looking for a ‘knock yer sox off experience’ if that is possible.

Staying at Waldorf if that helps / makes a difference - thanks in advance.

Sketch is awesome. Two michelin stars, I'd definitely recommend it. Haven't been to Gordon Ramsay but I guess that's as "iconic" as it gets. Besides The Fat Duck (but out of London)

 

[pagingjoan]

Sketch is awesome. Two michelin stars, I'd definitely recommend it. Haven't been to Gordon Ramsay but I guess that's as "iconic" as it gets. Besides The Fat Duck (but out of London)

Oh dear. Sorry to disagree - but would not recommend Sketch. Too pretentious by far, unless my experience is out of date? Were you there recently Edge?

And please don't do GR at Claridge's. An absolute circus, in terms of service and the food was acceptable but only just.

What about Robuchon? Or The Ledbury? Or even Viajante, if you wanted to wander off the beaten path a little?

 

[OATEK]

What about Robuchon? Or The Ledbury? Or even Viajante, if you wanted to wander off the beaten path a little?

The Ledbury just came in at No. 13 on the "World's Best" list (The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013) so must be worth a visit. I think the Chef might be an an Aussie.

 

[Fifa]

The Ledbury just came in at No. 13 on the "World's Best" list (The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013) so must be worth a visit. I think the Chef might be an an Aussie.

The head chef is an Aussie - his name is Brett Graham and he is the cousin of a friend of mine!

 

[Edge]

Oh dear. Sorry to disagree - but would not recommend Sketch. Too pretentious by far, unless my experience is out of date? Were you there recently Edge?

And please don't do GR at Claridge's. An absolute circus, in terms of service and the food was acceptable but only just.

What about Robuchon? Or The Ledbury? Or even Viajante, if you wanted to wander off the beaten path a little?

I went to Sketch back in 2009. I think it only had one star back then but has since been awarded a second (so I assume the food is even better now?). Pretentious? Absolutely. But that's what I enjoyed about it! Each to their own I guess. Not sure if you're familiar with Melbourne at all but I'm the sort of person who is happier to go somewhere like The Smith or Spice Temple than something more 'old school' such as Jacques Reymond. Or having been to New York last year I'd choose Per Se over Eleven Madison Park one hundred times out of one hundred, even though EMP was just rated significantly above it in the latest survey that came out this week. Not sure what the OP's preferences are, just offering my 2 cents.

Back in London in October myself (courtesy of the .br special) so keen to try some new places.

 

[pagingjoan]

I went to Sketch back in 2009. I think it only had one star back then but has since been awarded a second (so I assume the food is even better now?). Pretentious? Absolutely. But that's what I enjoyed about it! Each to their own I guess. Not sure if you're familiar with Melbourne at all but I'm the sort of person who is happier to go somewhere like The Smith or Spice Temple than something more 'old school' such as Jacques Reymond. Or having been to New York last year I'd choose Per Se over Eleven Madison Park one hundred times out of one hundred, even though EMP was just rated significantly above it in the latest survey that came out this week. Not sure what the OP's preferences are, just offering my 2 cents.

Back in London in October myself (courtesy of the .br special) so keen to try some new places.

Not at all quarreling with your choices or preferences, Edge. Would be interested in hearing more recommendations from you. Personal recommendations are worth much more than two cents, so do give us some more.

Yes, I am very familiar with Melbourne. I live in the CBD, so have favourites around the inner city area, and few of them would be "old school".

In NYC, Per Se is one of my favourites, there or anywhere in the world, in fact - and, while I've enjoyed Eleven Madison, I am constantly surprised to see how highly it rates in a variety of rankings.

So, you see: We do have overlap in our preferences. Just not Sketches. (Must admit that my judgement of it was based on one visit only, probably about the same era that you were there.)

In London, I have recently made a booking for a visit later this month at the new restaurant that has just taken over the old Nahm premises, and is a project headed up by Elena Arzak and her father. Arzak, in San Sebastian, must be one of the nearest things to perfection in the restaurant world - in my opinion - but the London opening has had very mixed reviews. The only way to test it is to go see for yourself, so that's what we are doing.

Will try to remember to report back.

 

[pagingjoan]

The head chef is an Aussie - his name is Brett Graham and he is the cousin of a friend of mine!

He is indeed! And his reputation continues to grow. Lovely to see and well deserved.

 

[Blinky]

Suggestions please for an annual Directors Meeting (read that as total nosh-up / swill fest) at a London restaurant July 27, 2013.

Am kind thinkin’ iconic restaurant / preferably not ‘get up ya’ skirt’ pricing but no price ceiling really – 2 male Directors and 2 female much better halves - looking for a ‘knock yer sox off experience’ if that is possible.

Staying at Waldorf if that helps / makes a difference - thanks in advance.

Two big thumbs up to Amaya in Knightsbridge. A Michelin starred Indian restaurant which is just sublime. We went for lunch about 6 weeks ago, and it was the best lunch we have had. We had the six course tasting menu, which was more than enough. With a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine, it came to about 160 quid, which I consider a bargain. Much more for dinner, of course, but it was in our top 5 restaurants in a lifetime of dining.

 

[pagingjoan]

Two big thumbs up to Amaya in Knightsbridge. A Michelin starred Indian restaurant which is just sublime. We went for lunch about 6 weeks ago, and it was the best lunch we have had. We had the six course tasting menu, which was more than enough. With a couple of drinks and a bottle of wine, it came to about 160 quid, which I consider a bargain. Much more for dinner, of course, but it was in our top 5 restaurants in a lifetime of dining.

Will add that to my To Do list, too, Blinky. Have not checked but I doubt that there are many Michelin starred Indian restaurants, so would be interesting to try.

 

[pagingjoan]

Here is a link to the 2013 Michelin stars for the UK, for those who like the Michelin style.
Michelin Red Guide 2013 restaurant stars revealed - MSN Food | MSN UK