Restaurant suggestions in London

New Yorker headed to London next week and am looking for restaurant suggestions. I'm staying at the new Mariott at St Pancras, and will be seeing Chorus Line at the Palladium and Betty Buckley in Dear World at the Charing Cross. I'm a bear; so I like to eat... Thanks in advance.

• Who cares if you're a New Yorker, OP? I guess that means after every restaurant you visit in London, your review will begin with "As a New Yorker, I'm used to getting the best Italian/Asian Fusion/fish 'n' chips"

  Live%20in%20Philly%20and%20been%20to%20London%20dozens%20of%20times

• I don't know, R1; I wrote the whole thing and then put that in as an afterthought. It didn't mean much. Thanks for your suggestions though... Btw I love the pork sandwiches at Redding Terminal Market.

  OP

• I know,OP! Go to a Wimpy's and fill up on hamburgers and then tell the counterman that you will gladly pay him next Tuesday!

• Like meat, game? It'll be costly, but ... Rules in Covent Garden! Wear coat and tie. It's the oldest restaurant in London. Another "traditional" bastion is Simpson's-in-the-Strand, near the Savoy. Costly, yes. In both you'll be Bear King!

  Edga

• Balans on Old Compton. Enjoy the Banaffi Pie!

  Billy%20Boy

• Its London, R4, that it will be costly is a given.

• Thanks for the suggestions. Cost is not a problem. I'm treating myself well this holiday.

• OP, if you like Spanish food, go to Barrafina on Firth St in Soho.

• "Roast" in Borough Market. Just wonderful and you'll leave satisfied. Simpsons and Rules also nice but very much on the tourist trail. Go a bit off the beaten track and explore. Some great places in Soho also. "Arbutus" is really wonderful.

  Londoner

• Also, when at Dear World, try Les Deux Salon opposite Charing Cross Station. Same owner as Arbutus, but French rather than English. They also do great cocktails.

  Londoner%20again

• I usually stay in the Gloucester area and I avoid the touristy restaurants, with the exception of Simpsons. I highly recommend it. I most often pick a pub in a trendy area and the food is quite good. Good chops and fish in the 20 pounds bracket, but you'll leave satisfied. Simpson's will run a good 50 to 75 pounds, but the beef is superb. I cheat and go to Simpson's for lunch.

• Opera Tavern in Covent Garden. Marvelous tapas and you can walk to most theatres.

• R11, by "Gloucester area" do you mean Gloucester Road in Kensington? The "Gloucester area" is not anywhere near London.

• L'Escargot [great pre-theater menu] 48 Greek Street, Soho

• Hawkmoor, Tramshed, Shrimpys, Bistroteque, Meat Mission, St John Bread and Wine. High tea at Claridges Breakfast at the Wolsey (if you can get in)

• Andrew Edmunds' in Soho. Oxo Tower - not cheap but one of the best views in London. Any of the stalls at the Borough Market. And for a quick and decent lunch on the go -- pret a manger. And anyone who scoffs at that suggestion is a pretender.

• OP you have to try Indian food while your there. The best Indian food in the world in London. And I second borough market. I love to just walk around a graze when I'm there. They have some wonderful game dishes if you're adventurous. And great cheeses.

• Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden. Lovely, romantic place with a great pre-theater prix-fixe. Reputed to be one of Prince Harry's favorite dining places.

• What Indian places would you suggest? Any Fish? Gastropubs?

• Seconding the recommendations for Roast in Borough Market (particularly the Full Borough breakfast) and Opera Tavern. Indian - the Red Fort in Soho is great, fantastic cocktails as well. Asian fusion - Inamo St. James on Lower Regent Street. Great food and drink, playing with the tables is an added bonus (if you go, you'll see what I mean). If you have time, do have an afternoon tea somewhere so you can get the clotted cream experience. I recommend the Portrait Restaurant & Bar on the top floor of the National Portrait Gallery. You have to go through the gallery to get to the restaurant so you'll get some culture by default. Enjoy your holiday!

• Skip Dear World.

• Head up the hill to Islington, OP. Check out The Barnsbury district, it's like a beautiful movie set and strangely silent in the day, then head over to Upper Street and have lunch in one of the many cafes there. I like to have lunch in the cafe in The Almeida Theatre and it's often full of the cast from whatever show's being rehearsed in the theatre.

• The Ivy

  BonniePrinceCharlie

• r13 you can smack me with a mackerel, an I tell by your tone you would love the opportunity. I didn't proof read my post. Yes, I meant Gloucester Rd.

  R11

• Zuma's

• Planning on having a cream tea at Fortnum and Mason's. I'm partial to their tea (it's my Christmas present to my Mom every year) and love walking their main floor.

• For good Indian food in London that's not the usual tacky curry house fare, try Trishna in the Baker Street area. A bit more expensive than the run of the mill Indian restaurants, but great food.

  http://www.trishnalondon.com/

• I looked at the menu for The Arbutus and I saw "pigeon" - is it really pigeon?

• McDonald's Burger King Nandos KFC

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• R23, no one goes to the ivy anymore; unless you're 60+ and get excited by seeing Joan Collins next to you munching her salad.

• Bump

• OP/R26, big yes to an afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason! I love the tea ritual, always try to have a tea at Brown's, but once I "discovered" tea at F&M it has become a rite. I don't know, just something about the comfortable-ness -- is that a word? -- of it all, in a nice room in a fine store famous for food. They sure do it right there!

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  Edga

• Also ... Yum! Everywhere, Pub Grub! Fish 'n Chips!

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  Edga