In this thread I started the ball rolling for a GTG in London in early March. In that thread, dinner on Tuesday the 4th of March seemed to be the best date.
My daughter and I are open to suggestions of a good place to gather - and I hope the local residents will chime in with recommendations. Let me know if you can join us, and if you have a suggestion, share it. Also let us know how early you are available - so that those who either have to go to work (Maria) or catch a train home (Hugh) won't have to rush.
I'm looking forward to another great gathering -- by that time I should be well recovered from the California GTG in Paso Robles!
Judy
Posts: 1708 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Back to the "where shall we eat" question. I just had an email exchange with Maria, who said she wouldn't mind returning to the George Inn. So that is one option.
The only place I can remember from prior trips to London is a small restaurant we found while looking for somewhere else, and liked well enough to return a second time. If you are up for good Italian food, this is a possibility. It is called Carluccio's; we went to one just off of Oxford St. on Market Place. They have several other locations around London -
quote:
The Brunswick Canary Wharf Covent Garden Bond Street, Fenwick Market Place Smithfield South Kensington Spitalfields St. Christopher's Place
Judy
Posts: 1708 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Originally posted by MariaV: Judy, you'll be in England -- no Italian food!
Shouldn't that read: You'll be in England so it has to be an Indian!
I've been smacking my lips reading Amy's restaurant suggestions. Anyone else interested in Indian? Some of Amy's were quite central and not too expensive sounding.
Beebee
Posts: 1948 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 09 September 2002
Beebee, you're absolutely right -- how could I have thought otherwise?! I guess it's because I've got four of them in a four block radius so I'm always eating it.
I'm always up for it though, since I obviously like it
I didn't see any list. There's an incredible place I've been to a couple times, and gets the highest of marks in every write-up and review (even professional reviews) it gets. It's over in the Covent Garden area, and was about a block from a Travelodge. Now what the heck is the name... it's sort of a Bollywood-themed place. Almost looks like a theatre (good spelling huh?!) outside. They bring the food out piecemeal, sort of like appetizers, a few things on a plate at a time. It's all-you-can-eat for one price and you can just keep asking for more of whatever part you like the most, and they just keep bringing it. I've never been able to finish what they give, without asking for more! Amazingly good food. I think it's under £20 if I'm not mistaken. Sitara? Sitaya?
Okay, I was kinda close -- Sitaaray 9 kebabs, 3 curries, brought to table constantly, £19.50 (the dinner one)
I feel a bit of a fraud, not being much of an eater-out in London and therefore not having much in the way of recommendations. I'm happy with Maria's recommendation.
Patrick - I am always at a loss when it comes to recommending restaurants in my home town!
Beebee - Indian is OK with me - though as a sometimes carnivore, I'm not too excited at the idea of a all vegetarian such as Sagar. (please Pauline, accept my weaknesses).
Let's see if Hugh and/or Susan chime in.
Judy
Posts: 1708 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Judy, at Sitaaray they have a vegetarian option if you wish. What I like about the place is that you get some of everything on the menu -- you don't have to worry about choosing! And their lentils are amazing. Oh yeah, and their chutney they give you in the beginning, served on one of those cool tower things. And a bunch of nuts to keep you busy to graze on while the food's on its way, that are spiced. And hot nan with the lentils. And poppadoms with the chutneys. I never would have even known about the place, had the manager marketing woman not come to the hotels around here with a menu. I've recommended it many times. And you know what? They have the nerve to ask if you want dessert after all that food!
Sorry I've been so long in replying - trying to pin down husband's movements. He is away, so we will have a family celebration on the following weekend. Daughters have given their blessing to my absence - but want me back not too late, as the evening will be spent creating a special cake. (Visions of coming back to a less than tidy kitchen.... )
So, count me in - I love curry, so the place you have chosen sounds great . I have never heard of it before, so good to have the horizons stretched!
Posts: 876 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
Panda - glad to hear you will be able to join us. What seems a reasonable gathering time for you - to allow you to get home in time for cake and kitchen clean-up?
Judy
Posts: 1708 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Gosh, don't know - I'm aware that there will be some either coming straight from work or possibly wanting to go home first, which would affect their possible arrival times. 7ish ? Earlier ? I can always slip out early if I feel time pressing.
Posts: 876 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
How does 6 or 6:30 work for people? Too early? (I realize in re-reading my earlier post to Maria that it was ambiguous --I meant reserve for 7, 8 or 10 people, not to reserve a table for 7 pm, etc). I'm hoping we can have a relaxed meal and still let folks get their train/tube home without rushing.
Judy
ps: Pauline -- have you and Steve decided yet if you are staying on??
Posts: 1708 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
And let it be known to all and sundry-- I love pub grub. I just don't have a pub to recommend. 
)