Something "different" in London?
Discussion
As we all know, this is THE place for everything.
I'm off down to That London at the end of July, taking my son to the Running/Jumping/throwing stuff at the Olympic Stadium. We are staying at the Radisson by Canary Wharf where I'm sure the food is nice. But what I'd love to do is to take him somewhere "different". Be it quirky, great food, unusual food or whatever I just want something that isn't the usual fare/place.
My son will try most things, he likes Sushi, pizza,burgers, chinese..in fact most except curry.
Not too fussy about cost, but if it's expensive it must justify the £££'s. It might well need to be an afternoon meal, as I'm a little unsure of timings but it would ideally be fairly easy to get to so please don't suggest getting on train for n hour. Also, nothing over 18, he's 14.
The World is your Lobster my friends, tell me what you have!
I'm off down to That London at the end of July, taking my son to the Running/Jumping/throwing stuff at the Olympic Stadium. We are staying at the Radisson by Canary Wharf where I'm sure the food is nice. But what I'd love to do is to take him somewhere "different". Be it quirky, great food, unusual food or whatever I just want something that isn't the usual fare/place.
My son will try most things, he likes Sushi, pizza,burgers, chinese..in fact most except curry.
Not too fussy about cost, but if it's expensive it must justify the £££'s. It might well need to be an afternoon meal, as I'm a little unsure of timings but it would ideally be fairly easy to get to so please don't suggest getting on train for n hour. Also, nothing over 18, he's 14.
The World is your Lobster my friends, tell me what you have!
Canary Wharf as you suggest, has plenty of places to eat with pretty much every major cuisine catered for but not much you wouldn't find inside a major shopping centre. Boisdale's is one worthy exception to this and worth a mention.
Travel a little to the East on the DLR (or Jubilee) and you will find Royal Victoria Dock. There's a restaurant named 'Carribean Scene' which you may find a little different and teenager friendly. Its also very convenient for the cable car across the thames to the O2 which has plenty of variety, even if it is a little clinical. One stop from North Grenwich tube (O2) and you're back in Canary Wharf completing the loop.
Heading West, Shoreditch and surrounding area has some more 'honest' and interesting places. You can get the East London Line from Shadwell which is three stops on the DLR. 'Green and Red' was very good for Mexican food last time I was over that way.
With the Jubilee running though canary wharf, the west end doesn't take long to get to either. HTH
Travel a little to the East on the DLR (or Jubilee) and you will find Royal Victoria Dock. There's a restaurant named 'Carribean Scene' which you may find a little different and teenager friendly. Its also very convenient for the cable car across the thames to the O2 which has plenty of variety, even if it is a little clinical. One stop from North Grenwich tube (O2) and you're back in Canary Wharf completing the loop.
Heading West, Shoreditch and surrounding area has some more 'honest' and interesting places. You can get the East London Line from Shadwell which is three stops on the DLR. 'Green and Red' was very good for Mexican food last time I was over that way.
With the Jubilee running though canary wharf, the west end doesn't take long to get to either. HTH
Byrons? It's a burger chain, nothing special.
There's a nice Ramen place called Bone Daddies on Hopkins St, Soho. It's not really run by Japanese as far as I can tell but it is quite good quality, reasonably authentic. It's very popular (I sometimes see lines in evenings) so a lunch or early dinner right at open would be best times to go. It's still informal and prices not crazy, either.
There's a nice Ramen place called Bone Daddies on Hopkins St, Soho. It's not really run by Japanese as far as I can tell but it is quite good quality, reasonably authentic. It's very popular (I sometimes see lines in evenings) so a lunch or early dinner right at open would be best times to go. It's still informal and prices not crazy, either.
How about something like http://www.benihana.co.uk/ Teppanyaki type place. Fun to watch fun to eat.
Get something thats not easy to get outside of London in the UK. Head off to Hammersmith and have Iranian food at Mahdi on King Street.....
http://www.mahdirestaurant.co/index.html
Menu is on the website split over two pages at the bottom of the menu page. You will pretty much be the only non-Iranian in the place but if you like Greek/Turkish/Indian food you will find it quite an experience.
http://www.mahdirestaurant.co/index.html
Menu is on the website split over two pages at the bottom of the menu page. You will pretty much be the only non-Iranian in the place but if you like Greek/Turkish/Indian food you will find it quite an experience.
Borough Market is a great suggestion.
If he likes steak, and you can get a table, go to the Hawksmoor. You will not regret it. The Stilton hollandaise will blow your mind too. http://thehawksmoor.com/
Burger and Lobster is okay; I think it's overhyped. Good food though and something 'different' he can tell his mates about. http://www.burgerandlobster.com/
Yalla Yalla does great Lebanese food. http://www.yalla-yalla.co.uk/
As does Al Hamra http://www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk/
Bodean's does good (ish) BBQ food [by ish I mean great for the UK, not if you have had the real deal in the US] http://www.bodeansbbq.com/
Red Dog Saloon is cool, fun and does (in my opinion) the best burger in London. He should try the Devastator. http://www.reddogsaloon.co.uk/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq17PXImPAo
Wahaca does great Mexican street food. Little tapas plates which you can share between you both. Delicious and cheap for what it is. http://www.wahaca.co.uk/
That's all I can think of right now. All 'different' in that it's not your usual pub grub. Hope that helps!
If he likes steak, and you can get a table, go to the Hawksmoor. You will not regret it. The Stilton hollandaise will blow your mind too. http://thehawksmoor.com/
Burger and Lobster is okay; I think it's overhyped. Good food though and something 'different' he can tell his mates about. http://www.burgerandlobster.com/
Yalla Yalla does great Lebanese food. http://www.yalla-yalla.co.uk/
As does Al Hamra http://www.alhamrarestaurant.co.uk/
Bodean's does good (ish) BBQ food [by ish I mean great for the UK, not if you have had the real deal in the US] http://www.bodeansbbq.com/
Red Dog Saloon is cool, fun and does (in my opinion) the best burger in London. He should try the Devastator. http://www.reddogsaloon.co.uk/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq17PXImPAo
Wahaca does great Mexican street food. Little tapas plates which you can share between you both. Delicious and cheap for what it is. http://www.wahaca.co.uk/
That's all I can think of right now. All 'different' in that it's not your usual pub grub. Hope that helps!
For something different try Dans le Noir in Farringdon. I haven't been, but have eaten at the original Dans le Noir in Paris and it was an ...experience! The room is pitch black (mobile phones, watches, lighters etc have to be left in lockers at reception), all the waiters are blind and you have no idea what you are eating. The grub was avtually very good.
How about Vietnamese?
http://www.mientay.co.uk/
They have three places in London. About as authentic as you'll get in this country.
http://www.mientay.co.uk/
They have three places in London. About as authentic as you'll get in this country.
wijit said:
We are staying at the Radisson by Canary Wharf
Nice hotel, but the rooms can get very hot so get the aircon on as soon as you check in. The rooms usually have some "interesting" art on the walls too 
CW is pretty soulless and corporate foodwise. There is a really nice tapas bar right at the opposite end of the wharf from where you are in the hotel - Camino at 28 WestFerry Circus. Walk as if you are going down to the ferry pier then take a left along the river and Camino is the last restaurant on the left.
Or take the Jubilee line to London Bridge, come out at the Borough exit and head to Brindisa at Borough Market for their acorn fed Iberico (the finest thing I have ever tasted) and some great wine.
miniman said:
A branch of Byrons should go down well.
If you like Byrons try Meat Liquor expect a queue in the evenings though.http://www.meatliquor.com/
Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff