craigdonove: Urbanspoon Travel Guide: London

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Urbanspoon Travel Guide: London

Tower of London photo by Kate

For this edition of the Urbanspoon dining guide we are travelling to merry old England - London to be exact. We asked for guidance from two Londoners: one of our top bloggers, Laissez Faire, who has published 94 reviews (and has wish-listed a whopping 208 more restaurants!) and Gino, an Urbanspoon Prime member who's written more than 50 restaurant reviews, posted 125 pictures on Urbanspoon, and is a self-proclaimed "culinary open-minded Italian based in London and travelling around the world."

Opera Tavern photo by Grumbling Gourmet

For the tourist in all of us, Laissez Faire suggests Opera Tavern and Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden, a former fruit and vegetable market that is now a popular shopping and tourist site.

However if you're more interested in mixing and mingling with London's most stylish citizens check out 10 Greek Street or Ducksoup in the Soho neighborhood.

Laissez Faire also recommends Amoul in Maida Vale (a great brunch location) or Odette's in Primrose Hill. Both of these restaurants may be a little off the beaten path, but the meal is worth the effort.

If you're travelling in London, you probably want to experience an authentic British pub serving traditional English dishes, so Gino suggests the Great Queen Street as a great place to start. Also as you hop from one neighborhood to the next, Gino suggests ducking into any Gaucho Grill with 11 locations spread all over central London for "simply the best fillet steak in the capital."

Viet Grill photo by Perth Food Journal

Feeling more adventurous than bangers and mash? Travel into any one of the amazing ethnic neighborhoods London has to offer. Gino points out two gems: Shoreditch/Hackney with over 20 Vietnamese restaurants along the road (favorite hot spot is Viet Grill), and a variety of proper Turkish houses – try out Mangal Ocakbasi.

Now that you have all of your restaurants selected, what will you do between meals? Fiona, another expert Urbanspoon diner, recommends a walk through one of London's well-known markets, Bermondsey Street. "Bermondsey Street itself is full of good restaurants while it sits in between Borough Market and Maltby Street (each have their own restaurants but are better known for markets)."

There are so many amazing food options, from pubs to fine dining, that you may need to extend your holiday!

Upcoming London-Area Events

RAW - The Artisan Wine Fair (May 20)

Old Truman Brewery, London

This event will feature a wide variety of exciting artisan food stalls, providing visitors with the perfect accompaniment to the 800 wines on offer at the fair. Ducksoup, the Soho bistro, is hosting a pop-up café and visitors can also enjoy posh hotdogs with proper sausages by Hoxton Beach. There will also be a selection of stalls from Maltby Street market and Borough Market’s Elliot’s Café will be hosting an oyster shucking stand.

The Real Wine Fair (May 20-22)
B1, Victoria House, London

The inaugural Real Wine Fair is a wine tasting event, celebrating skilled individuals who work organically or biodynamically in the vineyards and winery. Three leading London restaurants, Ottolenghi, The Modern Pantry, and Morito, will provide a spread of delicious tapas-style dishes for the Real Wine Café.

Great British Food Festival (June 4-5)
Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington

This year, the Great British Food Festival is a great big, traditional, British summer party. There'll be games and activities for the kids, balloon races, bake-offs, bunting, excellent live music, and a fantastic array of food and drink from our exhibitors. Dress in red, white, and blue.

For a full list of British Food Events to go: http://www.foodloversbritain.com/foodevents