Unadventurous London Food

[Dan_1981]

We're taking my mum & dad down to London for her 60th, train down, hotel, show etc etc.

Could anyone recommend somewhere decent for breakfast on a Saturday morning around London St Pancras.

For this i'm thinking pretty basic breakfast cafe, sort of thing my dad will actually like.

Then spending the day doing the touristy things they've never done before seeing Warhorse in the evening.

Dinner however could be a problem -

Mum and dad are both very unadventurous when it comes to food, especially Dad. Pasta and garlic bread are too exotic for him, we're talking steak & chips, steak & ale pie - that kinda thing, meat n two veg.

Mum is a little more adventurous in that she'll eat lasagne. But doesn't like "fancy food" In her words they should spend more time making it taste better than look pretty. She also says she would feel uncomfortable in any of those "fancy places"


So I need suggestions for a decent breakfast near St Pancras when we get there and then somewhere else for a pre theatre dinner, ideally in or around Covent Garden. And of course it must not do "fancy food" must not be too expensive (they're from Yorkshire) and in her own words "not one of those pretentious places"

I want them to have a good time as this sort of thing is not something they'd normally do but I don't want to make them feel uncomfortable or not enjoy them seleves.

Any suggestons?

Edited by Dan_1981 on Friday 17th August 19:15

Edited by Dan_1981 on Friday 17th August 19:15

[davepoth]

Depends on the time. The Euston Flyer across the road from the station used to be pretty good for food last time I was in there, but that was when some friends worked there so it might have got worse. They do breakfast after 10am. It's a bit like Wetherspoons, only nice.

[RichB]

To be honest I'd have thougt the lower area of StPancras itself would offer some choice? It's quite nice considering it's a station...

[silverthorn2151]

There are lots of places in Covent Garden that have simpler food on the menu. There are several pubs that do food or you could try heading down Drury Lane towards the Strand. Several places to eat down that way. PJ's comes to mind but it's a while since I looked at the menu.

Sophie's Steakhouse is down that way. Don't think you can book and remember that re-theatre gets busy in Covent Garden. Good fun place.

http://www.sophiessteakhouse.co.uk/menu.php

You will LOVE Warhorse. Take tissues, you may find you get something in your eye that makes them water a bit.

[fadeaway]

Have a look at Porters in Covent Garden ("The English Restaurant"). Foods decent and it definitely ticks your requirements


http://www.porters.uk.com/

[Whoozit]

fadeaway said:

Have a look at Porters in Covent Garden ("The English Restaurant"). Foods decent and it definitely ticks your requirements


http://www.porters.uk.com/

Or Simpsons in the Strand, less than 200 metres away. 19th century interior and menu. Roast beef and two veg carved by your table to order, with the best syrup suet sponge I have ever eaten for pudding.

[RichB]

Whoozit said:

fadeaway said:

Have a look at Porters in Covent Garden ("The English Restaurant"). Foods decent and it definitely ticks your requirements
http://www.porters.uk.com/

Or Simpsons in the Strand, less than 200 metres away. 19th century interior and menu. Roast beef and two veg carved by your table to order, with the best syrup suet sponge I have ever eaten for pudding.

Except the OP was asking about breakfast

[Caulkhead]

RichB said:

Whoozit said:

fadeaway said:

Have a look at Porters in Covent Garden ("The English Restaurant"). Foods decent and it definitely ticks your requirements
http://www.porters.uk.com/

Or Simpsons in the Strand, less than 200 metres away. 19th century interior and menu. Roast beef and two veg carved by your table to order, with the best syrup suet sponge I have ever eaten for pudding.

Except the OP was asking about breakfast

Dan_1981 said:

and then somewhere else for a pre theatre dinner, ideally in or around Covent Garden.

I like Roast by London Bridge tube but it might be a bit too far from CG.

[RichB]

Caulkhead said:

RichB said:

Whoozit said:

fadeaway said:

Have a look at Porters in Covent Garden ("The English Restaurant"). Foods decent and it definitely ticks your requirements
http://www.porters.uk.com/

Or Simpsons in the Strand, less than 200 metres away. 19th century interior and menu. Roast beef and two veg carved by your table to order, with the best syrup suet sponge I have ever eaten for pudding.

Except the OP was asking about breakfast

Dan_1981 said:

and then somewhere else for a pre theatre dinner, ideally in or around Covent Garden.

I like Roast by London Bridge tube but it might be a bit too far from CG.

Oops my apologies all round!

[Mobile Chicane]

Pre-theatre dinner has to be The Guinea Grill.

A most excellent steak and kidney pie with a side of green beans can be had for less than £20 per person.

If they're moaning at the cost - London's expensive - get over it.

[NorthDave]

You could try the pre-theatre menu at the Garrick on Garrick St? They do a great steak and chips for £12 (ish) as part of a two course set meal and the atmosphere is nice too. Just make sure you are sat downstairs.

[Dan_1981]

Some good suggestions here folks - i'll be letting them have a look at a few menus!

[Dan_1981]

Just to provide closure.....

First morning we had breakfast at a tiny little cafe called "Wings Sandwich Bar" on Drury lane - it was great reasonably priced, and a very very good full English.

We ate that evening at Porters English Restaurant - which for the price was pretty good - two courses from the Theatre menu for £15 - the pies were superb, the steaks were cooked very well, my mums fish and chips was OK. Deserts were really really good.

Second morning we ate at another tiny little cafe - almost opposite Porters called "Masters Diner" next door to Bella Italia. Breakfast again very reasonably priced and very very good.

Oh and Warhorse was superb.

[Rushmore]

Porters - love it!

[Cheib]

If you want Central London pie and chips that is a) good and b) not pretentious this pub is excellent

http://www.windmillmayfair.co.uk/

Tucked away on a back street just off Regent Street.


Award winning pies in a very normal pub, it's just the job for what you want I reckon. You also have to love somewhere that recommends the right pint to partner your pie.

Ah....not open for food for dinner on a Saturday by the looks of it....only til 4.30. Might be okay depending on what time you are going to the theatre. It's about a 15 min walk to the theatre.

[AJS-]

I've got to admire anyone who thinks pasta and garlic bread are exotic.

[zcacogp]

Caulkhead said:

I like Roast by London Bridge tube but it might be a bit too far from CG.

Roast was the most disappointing restaurant I have visited, bar none. My experience may have been a bad one, but it was the only place I have considered leaving only a 'consideration for the food' rather than paying the bill.

OP - Euston Flyer is a Fullers pub and will do both a decent breakfast and a decent, homely supper. With good ale to go with it. You could do a lot worse than going there for one or the other of your meals!


Oli.