I'm off to London

If you are vegetarian dont eat at Manna in Primrose hill

blech

K

Originally Posted by youngscientist

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For something to do at night you could try Ronnie Scotts jazz club, yeah I am sure people will tell you it's too commercial now and all that sort of crap, but its still a really fun night out if you are even slightly into Jazz.
The drinks are pretty expensive, and if you think about the entrance fee as a restraunt cover then its pretty expensive too, but if you think of it as entry to a concert its pretty cheap. I have never eaten there, the food looks alright and they serve till 1 or so, the cocktails are terrific although they make your wallet hurt.
http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/

I went there the other night - paid quite a lot of money for tickets, had a meal table booked (so they knew I was going to spend quite a lot of money on food, let alone drink - and they still have the cheek to charge you £1 to put your coat in. For that reason alone I don't think I'd ever go back there.

I was with a girl and didn't have any change - only £20 notes - which they didn't have change for. Instead of letting it go, they went through to get change from the bar. Unbelievable.

Originally Posted by StephenStyle

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I went there the other night - paid quite a lot of money for tickets, had a meal table booked (so they knew I was going to spend quite a lot of money on food, let alone drink - and they still have the cheek to charge you £1 to put your coat in. For that reason alone I don't think I'd ever go back there.

I was with a girl and didn't have any change - only £20 notes - which they didn't have change for. Instead of letting it go, they went through to get change from the bar. Unbelievable.

bad luck, doesn't sound like a good time. I went a couple of months ago, it wasn't a "big" act so the ticket was pretty cheap, the staff were very friendly/obliging and even in the less good seats you are amazingly close to the band because its such a small venue. I went thinking of it as a music venue with cocktail service and food and thoroughly enjoyed myself, I am not sure I would go there especially for a meal, I can see it could be disappointing. I enjoyed it and will definitely go again.
I can understand not wanting to pay for the coat check after everything else, but its less than a lot of other places I have been.

I haven't been to London in a few years but were I to go now, and if I had time for shopping, I would definitely go to Udeshi's store. I'm a fan

Originally Posted by youngscientist

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bad luck, doesn't sound like a good time. I went a couple of months ago, it wasn't a "big" act so the ticket was pretty cheap, the staff were very friendly/obliging and even in the less good seats you are amazingly close to the band because its such a small venue. I went thinking of it as a music venue with cocktail service and food and thoroughly enjoyed myself, I am not sure I would go there especially for a meal, I can see it could be disappointing. I enjoyed it and will definitely go again.
I can understand not wanting to pay for the coat check after everything else, but its less than a lot of other places I have been.

The venue itself was great. There's not many places with that kind of atmosphere and intimacy. But with the prices they charge I find it unthinkable that they charge for cloakroom service.

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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What might a 41-year-old and his 38-year-old brother consider doing once the sun sets? Obviously, we're not as young as we used to be, and still might be recovering from our Hadrian's Wall hike. But it would still be nice to do something out of the ordinary. My brother might have some suggestions. He's been to London before while on tour with his band (he's one-half of the Stars of the Lid duo).

What kind of things are you into? Music/food/clubbing/opera? London has a fair bit to offer.

The best vegetarian food in London is south Indian. Rasa Sumadra is a decent central choice.

And yes, listen to the advice above - three museums in a day is too much.

Originally Posted by gdl203

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I haven't been to London in a few years but were I to go now, and if I had time for shopping, I would definitely go to Udeshi's store. I'm a fan

The experience of disrobing to try on shirts in the middle of the store while his mother draws the curtains is quite unique.

nice weather here at the moment
(for england)

Have a great trip, Vintage. I hope that you will pack along sufficient of your W.W. Chan finery to suitably impress the locals when you are in town.

I'm underwhelmed by Ronnie Scotts. It's nice enough, I suppose, but it draws a lot of tourists. This contributes to a sort of what-the-hell-we'll-never-see-these-people-again-anyway attitude.

I much prefer 606 or even the Boisdale (the Belgravia one) as I find them much more civilized. There are few more pleasant ways to while away a late rainy evening than sitting in the bar at the Boisdale.

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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Thanks for the good advice thus far. A couple more questions:

Who carries boxcloth braces in London? I imagine that T&A might. Any other suspects?

What might a 41-year-old and his 38-year-old brother consider doing once the sun sets? Obviously, we're not as young as we used to be, and still might be recovering from our Hadrian's Wall hike. But it would still be nice to do something out of the ordinary. My brother might have some suggestions. He's been to London before while on tour with his band (he's one-half of the Stars of the Lid duo).

You will probably be sick of walking, but London is a great city just to walk around in.

Time Out Magazine may be a good source of events going on in London.


For Indian Restaurants try Brick Lane.

Don't forget the parks, St. James, Hyde and Regents and the various squares - good place to stop and have a sandwich at lunch.

It may be a bit touristy, but you the London Eye gives you a birds eye view of London

What part of London are you staying in?

Enjoy

I've been to the Tate Modern, among others while living in London for six months.

I was dating a beatuiful spanish girl that I could not really understand because I had given myself to the English language.

Maybe you'll see another variant? One can only hope because it was fun while it lasted : )

Have a wonderful time.

Much great advice so far. Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

I probably won't try and accomplish all three museums; the National Gallery with van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding is the real goal. It's one of those works I want to see in the flesh before I slip off this mortal coil.

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

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The hike along Hadrian's wall sounds incredible, VG. I hadn't considered it, but maybe I will now. Hope you take many pics, and make sure to pick out a good umbrella (i.e., whangee).

Many pictures I will take. As for the umbrella, unlike others I'm not enamored of the whangee. Too reminiscent of something you'd find in Pier One circa 1978. To be fair, I know it's more of a classic umbrella "look" than that implies. I'm leaning toward a nice hickory.

Originally Posted by VKK3450

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If you are vegetarian dont eat at Manna in Primrose hill

Any particular reason why not? It was on my list of restaurants to consider.

Originally Posted by Winot

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What kind of things are you into? Music/food/clubbing/opera? London has a fair bit to offer.

Music--power pop in particular. I checked to see if the Len Price 3 were scheduled to play while I'm there. No dice. Theater, too. Just not musical theater.

Originally Posted by JLibourel

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Have a great trip, Vintage. I hope that you will pack along sufficient of your W.W. Chan finery to suitably impress the locals when you are in town.

Won't have room to pack much. I'll only be able to take one Chan jacket. Aside from our backpacking equipment, we're each bringing a single small bag.

Originally Posted by BRITINLA

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What part of London are you staying in?

Sotheast of Regent's Park. Fitzrovia, I think. So most of what I'm interested in is easily within walking distance.

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

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Much great advice so far. Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

I probably won't try and accomplish all three museums; the National Gallery with van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding is the real goal. It's one of those works I want to see in the flesh before I slip off this mortal coil.



Many pictures I will take. As for the umbrella, unlike others I'm not enamored of the whangee. Too reminiscent of something you'd find in Pier One circa 1978. To be fair, I know it's more of a classic umbrella "look" than that implies. I'm leaning toward a nice hickory.



Any particular reason why not? It was on my list of restaurants to consider.



Music--power pop in particular. I checked to see if the Len Price 3 were scheduled to play while I'm there. No dice. Theater, too. Just not musical theater.



Won't have room to pack much. I'll only be able to take one Chan jacket. Aside from our backpacking equipment, we're each bringing a single small bag.



Sotheast of Regent's Park. Fitzrovia, I think. So most of what I'm interested in is easily within walking distance.


VG:

If you're going to use public transport you may want to look into getting an Oyster card. I use them when I go home, however, I'm there for more than a couple of days. If you can get one, it may save you some money.

You must check out G.J.Cleverley for shoes and Trumpers for a shave. Both are unique and an experience.

www.gjcleverley.co.uk
http://www.trumpers.com/

Good luck!