# I'm going to be in London **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 20, 2006, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103 "2006-03-20T07:21:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/1 "2006-03-20T07:21:16Z")
for the last week of March. Any Londopers want to ease my disorientation? ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/2 "2006-03-20T08:52:14Z")
Hi. You will also find London Dopers, both current and of the past, at [http://nadsters.com/nads/](http://nadsters.com/nads/). Have a great trip. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/3 "2006-03-20T10:17:32Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > for the last week of March. Any Londopers want to ease my disorientation? I would, but Iā€™m disoriented myself, despite having lived here for 27 years and counting. If it isnā€™t Leicester Square station, I have to whip out my A-Z. (Itā€™s a map, you perv) ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/4 "2006-03-20T10:24:02Z")
I should be around then, and **Crusoe** might be too. Any ideas as to what you fancy doing? ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/5 "2006-03-20T12:57:03Z")
Compared to Montreal, the weather should be quite nice. Donā€™t be shy about asking for directions. It seemed like everyone was helpful in that regard. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/6 "2006-03-20T14:46:01Z")
Hi Jenny, Iā€™d love to spend an evening out, although I understand itā€™s scandalously expensive to do so. Faut faire avec, I guess. Alsoā€¦ _blush_ if any of you have gay friends who could show me around Old Compton Street and environs, it would be much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/7 "2006-03-20T15:42:57Z")
Its not that expensive, to be honest, you just need to avoid the tourist traps where you end up paying a fiver a pint. And **Bonzer** and I should be around too if you do fancy a night out, although I doubt that neither of us is qualified to show you round Old Compton Street. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/8 "2006-03-20T15:57:51Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > I doubt that neither of us is qualified to show you round Old Compton Street. Did you mean to say that, Angua? ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/9 "2006-03-20T16:10:15Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Did you mean to say that, Angua? Gah! Stupid me! I meant to say: ā€œI doubt that **either** of us is qualifiedā€ :smack: I blame Pearson R coefficients. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/10 "2006-03-21T02:40:29Z")
> [@Angua](#): > > Its not that expensive, to be honest, you just need to avoid the tourist traps where you end up paying a fiver a pint. And **Bonzer** and I should be around too if you do fancy a night out, although I doubt that neither of us is qualified to show you round Old Compton Street. šŸ˜‰ Sounds like fun! ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/11 "2006-03-21T09:05:38Z")
There seems to be a few of us around on Friday 31st **Matt** , how does that grab you? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/12 "2006-03-21T09:56:25Z")
Sounds like fun - just before I ship out eh! ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/13 "2006-03-21T11:37:59Z")
That sounds like a plan to me then! I can even convince my advisor that Iā€™m working from home, and get to London at a reasonable time! So, I guess a place is needed. Would you prefer something close to where youā€™re staying, or just somewhere not hideously expensive? ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/14 "2006-03-21T13:09:50Z")
Would you like to eat first, or go straight to a pub? If you do want to eat, what sort of thing do you like? Sorry for all the questions, but we want to make sure you have a good time! ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/15 "2006-03-21T17:06:40Z")
Iā€™d love to just go eat, anyplace thatā€™s not expensive; as long as the food is edible Iā€™m not fussed. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/16 "2006-03-21T18:24:51Z")
Right, couple of suggestions: [Masala Zone](http://www.london-eating.co.uk/143.htm) - for the authentic Brit dining experience - curry! [Gili Gulu](http://www.london-eating.co.uk/5279.htm) - had some pretty bad reviews for the service, but weā€™ve always enjoyed ourselves. If none those appeal, hereā€™s a [link](http://www.london-eating.co.uk/occasions/budget.asp) to some more budget restaurants, though I canā€™t comment on any of them except for Wagamama - which is nice but not exactly conducive to relaxed socialising. **Angua** et al may have some more ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/17 "2006-03-21T18:28:44Z")
Iā€™m jealous. Iā€™ll be in England this weekend, but itā€™s not for a happy, celebratory occasion. ---
**Author:** ![Jennyrosity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@Jennyrosity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennyrosity)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/18 "2006-03-21T20:40:03Z")
Sorry to hear that **Barbarian**. Hope whatever it is doesnā€™t go too badly. **matt\_mcl** , **scifisam** on Nads (who you may remember from here) has offered to show you the gay scene: ā€œFrom what I remember of reading his posts heā€™d like Popstarz (actually, most people would - itā€™s not as trashy or juvenile as it sounds, and itā€™s frigginā€™ huge) and maybe GAY Bar (NOT club) and, for a cheap start to the night, the Vespa/Conservatory, while itā€™s still open.ā€ Sheā€™s not available on Friday, but as youā€™re here for a week, maybe you could meet up before then. Let me know if youā€™d like me to pass on your contact details - or pop over to Nads and contact her yourself. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/19 "2006-03-21T20:50:00Z")
Speaking as a one-time tourist to the UK, Iā€™d say itā€™s absolutely essential to have the advice of a local on dining out. Here the US we are used to something like a potential 95% success rate on picking a restaurant at random and finding it palatable, at the very least. From my experience, the rate in London is around 60%\*, and all the guides I had read beforehand said the food situation had gotten better than it used to be. :eek: Donā€™t get me wrong, there is spectacular food to be had, but youā€™re better off taking the advice of someone who knows the territory to make sure you find it. From my own limited experience, I can recommend, for a really fancy dinner, The Ivy, for the best fish, chips, bangers, and mash Iā€™ve ever eaten, the Cheshire Cheese Pub (the oldest currently standing, IIRC), and great little Italian place that was near the docks in Greenwich 3 1/2 years ago. \*Unlike me, my wife hates Indian food, so I will readily concede that if weā€™d included those restaurants, we might have had better luck. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103/20 "2006-03-21T23:06:50Z")
> [@scotandrsn](#): > > From my own limited experience, I can recommend, for a really fancy dinner, The Ivy, But youā€™d have had to have booked months agoā€¦ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-be-in-london/349103.md?page=2)