Best treats to try in England?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These are all disgustingly unhealthy cliches from the 1970s

yuk.

And your suggestions are...

My suggestions are....go to L'escargot (if its still open) in Soho, to the Argentinian steak house on Swallow St in Piccadilly and if you want something sweet, go to the pasty counter in Harrods food hall.

Haha, L'escargot is not a 1970s cliche, it's a 1980s cliche - so much better! It actually has had a revival in the last couple of years but really, London is full of amazing restaurants and this doesn't come close. The steakhouse you're recommending is Gaucho - it's good but I'd recommend Hawksmoor over Gaucho as it's better quality and more "London". Don't bother with Harrods for anything. Real Londoners don't go there (I'm a Londoner born and bred). It's not what it used to be and it's certainly not the best for pastries. There are so many wonderful patisseries in London, including traditional afternoon teas, French bakeries, etc.
London also has a fantastic coffee scene, mostly brought from the Kiwis/Aussies - there are now hipster coffee places everywhere. Fish and chips are a must have that no one has recommended - it's the thing I always miss the most. My favourite place is one near Hampstead but if you're in town there are a few good ones, including Poppies in the Liverpool Street area.
I'm not a cadbury's "chocolate" fan at all - yuck - but there are some great British chocolate makers now - Roccoco, William Curley, Maison du Chocolat, Hotel Chocolat... etc. However, if you like any milk chocolates here in the US like kitkats, mars, etc, it's totally worth trying the English equivalents because they are all made differently and (I think) taste much better. The section in Selfridges (by FAR the best department store in London - forget Harrods) on the ground floor near the cosmetics is pretty great. Oh, I also love the ice cream parlour at Fortnum & Masons - a lovely treat!

[Anonymous]

My husband is British. He doesn't have a sweet tooth, but his local favorites are: a good curry (Brick Lane or equivalent), ploughman's lunch complete with a slice of porked pie, pickled onions, chutney, egg, etc, mixed grill (turkish/kebab house), roast beef with yorkshire pudding and "proper" as he would say - fish and chips. I love anything from Ottolenghi.

[Anonymous]

Spotted Dick

[Anonymous]

Warm scones with that cream that is better than butter - forgot the name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Warm scones with that cream that is better than butter - forgot the name.

clotted cream

[Anonymous]

You wont find a good curry on brick lane - try tayyabs.