Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Guide to the Restaurants of London, England

Gastronomic delights abound in London and vary from upper crust ritzy cuisine to cheap eats at a fish 'n chip store. Whatever your budget may be, London will not disappoint.

Fans of Gordon Ramsay's style of cooking (made famous by the reality show "Hell's Kitchen") will be happy to know that he has several restaurants set up around London that cater to various preferences. Some of these restaurants include "Restaurant Gordon Ramsay," "Petrus," "Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's," "Boxwood Café," "Maze," "Plane Food," and "Foxtrot Oscar."

For those who would like to venture into something more exotic, try "Tamarind"-an upscale Michelin star restaurant that serves Indian food. Japanese food is served at the trendy "Roka" on Charlotte Street. Due to its strong popularity, advance reservations are an absolute necessity. The tasting menus offered are often the most satisfying of all.

British food is best sampled at restaurants that specifically cater to that preference. "Butlers Wharf Chop House" is arguably one of the best English restaurants in the city judging by the rave reviews it continues to receive despite the modest ambience.


For a gourmet lunch at not-so-high prices, "Bibendum" serves up a varied feast from fish 'n chips to open ravioli of lobster and samphire with girolles. "The Capital," a French restaurant that bears a two star Michelin recommendation, offers wonderful 3-course set lunches and dinners at very reasonable prices.

Traditional pub grub at the local gastropubs is also very popular in London. Here you can get delicious food at great prices. The "Anchor & Hope" is as renowned for its no-nonsense style of business as it is for the food. Guests are well-advised to arrive early as the wait for a table can be quite long as the night draws on. (Reservations are not entertained at this pub.) "The Atlas," another famous gastropub, offers a cozy environment with an old-fashioned charm.

A visit to London's best restaurants is incomplete, however, without at least one visit to the renowned "Beefeater." More than just another opportunity for a good meal, Beefeater provides for an entire experience that cannot be missed. Themed for medieval times, the restaurant-a torch-lit vaulted cellar-goes all out on ambience, putting out a medieval banquet complete with King Henry VIII, minstrels, troupers, dancing wenches, jousting knights, and strolling players. The mood is upbeat and there is plenty of excitement and entertainment to be had through the night. Get more information at London Indian Restaurants