eating in London, Tottenham Court Road... [GB]

THE COURT

Three of us had a nice lunch here. Bustly little place with a bit of atmosphere.

My Texas Steak Melt [£4.75] was 'tasty but tough', Chicken/Bacon Salad [£4.75] 'lots of onion' and a Classic BLT [£3.45] 'good, quite large'

bloginfo: on the corner of TCR and Maple, across from Cilantro
blognote: most places you order and pay at the bar and then are served at table

NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS

This is one of the two best I tried on TCR.

They are all British food. I had the slow cooked Homemade Steak, Guinness and Onion Pie with skin on Mash and Onion Gravy [£8.50] with a side of Mushy Peas [75p] and a San Miguel beer [£4].

Also saw a Cheddar/Tomato Chutney sandwich with Chips [£3.75] that looked real good.

bloginfo: on the corner of TCR and Grafton Way [look for the Indian YMCA sign]



CILANTRO

Just had a Peach Smoothie [£2.85] here and sat outside. Great tables for people watching on TCR. There is breakfast available and free newspapers to read. A good selection of to-go sandwiches. Inside looked nice but preferred to sit outside.

bloginfo: on the corner of Maple and TCR
blognote: check out the cute website





ASSER

Stopped here for a late night snack [after a wretched set meal]. This is a Lebanese restaurant.

Had a Sambousek Lahem [£4.50] which was like a 'Shanghai style' egg roll. It was filled with ground lamb and pine nuts and came with a potent garlic [mayo] sauce. Very good!

bloginfo: 117 TCR
good website click here


LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN

This is the runner-up to the best on TCR [other was Northumberland Arms]. Le Pain Quotidien [the daily bread] is a bakery/restaurant/communal table.

I had Limeade with mint, an organic Egg Salad Tartine [£6.80] with olive oil, wild capers and anchovies presented on whole grain bread open face. Also had a cup of the soup of the day; Gazpacho [£3.60] with a sampling of two other breads. Ended with a small Café Latte [£2.20]

bloginfo: corner of TCR and Goodge
website is super
blognote: desserts looked fabulous

PRET A MANGER


This is the ubiquitous salad and sandwich to-go gem in London!

Had two half baguettes for lunch: Line and pole caught Tuna with mayo and cukes [£1.35]
and a Prosciutto and Italian matured cheese with tomato and whole leaf basil [£1.75]. Also had a cup of Miso soup [£1.50] with a can of Sparkling Bunny Detox [99p] with ginger and echinacea. Ordered at the counter and found a stool at the window to people watch.

bloginfo: Prêt á Manger are everywhere in London
blognote: The name is a play on Paris fashion 'prêt á porter' or ready-to-wear = ready-to-eat.


JAPANESE CANTEEN


Had a quick lunch here and was very surprised at the quality of the food. Just a modern student hangout at 162 TCR on the corner of University.

The Beef Yaki Udon [£5.95] was well spiced and along with the udon noodles and tender beef there were carrots, onions, bok choy and ginger. The sparkling Ginger/Lemongrass soda [£1.65] was spicy also.

blognote: sat outside, lots of young Asians eating here.

Aside from a coffee at the Jack Horner [I had to eat there for the name!], that is just about it for TCR [Tottenham Court Road] where the Radisson Edwardian Grafton Hotel is located.