Where to Eat and Find Tools in London?

Stuey · Jul 8, 2009

We're going to be in London next week for a week. Where should we eat? We'll be staying near Victoria Station.

Also, this time we'll have time to scope out some of the tool stores. *crosses fingers* Any suggestions aside from what I can find in the phonebook/internets/google maps?

sk farmer · Jul 9, 2009

check with moose. i think he lives across the pond.

Plombob · Jul 9, 2009

I found good food in local pubs. Just don't ask for more ice or a refill of your soda.

A rule of thumb I've picked up in my travels: If you can't find a good place to eat, look for an Irish pub. They speak English (although in England they usually speak English...) have booze and the typical Irish fare is usually good, if not great.

r6_cannibal · Jul 9, 2009

guinness extra cold :beer:

it's liquid bread

+1 on the pubs. especially if you can find a bed and breakfast pub. Sorry I don't have any specific names for you, i think one of my mates moved near victoria recently. I'll see if i can get a hold of him and check back with you.

Fins/413 · Jul 9, 2009

Pub food is great, with atmosphere. B&B's usually seve a full English breakfast, which is outstanding.

Danglerb · Jul 9, 2009

Pizza Hut, same buffet lunch as in the USA.

Stay away from places that say STEAK, I think the Brits boil them.

Joe Mamma · Jul 9, 2009

There's a small bar called Black Friar in the Blackfriars section. There's a tube (rail) stop there too. I think the bar is fairly well known, but I don't think they stay open very late.

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=154

I can't help you on places to get tools. But if you find someplace decent, take a few pics for us.

I saw a hardware store or two in the South Kensington section. But there was nothing that I saw that was worth buying. Actually, the stores were really more like convenience stores that sold a few screwdrivers. They were probably made in China or Taiwan.

Joe Mamma

Kool Coe · Jul 9, 2009

Ace Cafe is a good spot to hit up towards the end of the day. Always a gathering of cars and bikes..........almost every single night. All "American" food (burgers, fries.....)
Using the London Underground, take the "Stonebridge Park Station" exit, turn right and walk down to the North Circular Road, then right again along the old North Circular Road. Ace Cafe will be on your right.

Long time viewer, relativily a new member, and my first post!!!

Rigmaster · Jul 9, 2009

Not sure if it's still there as it's been several years since I visited London- but there was a little hole in the wall place called Chelsea Kitchen that served really good food really cheap. Don't be surprised to have someone sit down at your table if there is an empty seat - it's kind of like a family dinner.

Here it is:

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourcei...7o7J0I&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Google has several reviews, but a couple of them mentioned that the restaurant had closed down.....then others with a later date said it was still there..

It's in the Chelsea area of London, on King's Road, not too far from the Sloane Square tube station.

Art From De Leon · Jul 9, 2009

If you like baked beans and boiled tomatoes for breakfast. I don't know if Wimpy's is still in business, or if that chain was just a Scottish thing, but if they are, stay away. Bacon has an entirely different meaning, good, but different.
Cider will knock your **** in the dirt, but you will be quite happy with it dragging, you won't feel any pain if you should step on it.

Danglerb · Jul 10, 2009

Breakfast for me was always Tesco's, chocolate croissants, various fresh baked goodies. Bacon sandwich I bought at the airport was very tasty. Fortnum & Mason Tea Room 181 Piccadilly, dept store with an ice cream parlour on a lower level, wow was this good, reasonable price and nice selection of tasty food.

This place was across the street from one of our hotels, and we eat there almost every chance we got, kind of pub, but Italian cooks, http://www.uniontavernlondon.com/

User_Name · Jul 10, 2009

Danglerb said:
Stay away from places that say STEAK, I think the Brits boil them.

Especially the Angus/Aberdeen steakhouse chain. Disgusting ripoff that stays in business by preying on tourists.

As others mentioned, pub grub is what you want if you don't want to go broke.
McDonald's will start looking good after a few days.

Not tool or food related, but there are a few book shops around Leicester Square (Foyle's & Blackwell's leap to mind) that are very good if you're still into academic things like physics and math.

Danglerb · Jul 10, 2009

If you travel with kids, Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc really take off the strain of being away from home.

Lesson we learned the hard way, London is NOT a place for fish and chips, thats a northern thing, and any you find in London will be for tourists.

T56 Impala · Jul 10, 2009

Lets see.... I lived on Queen Elisabeth Street over by Tower Bridge. There was a place on Shad Thames, I think it was called the Chop House. It was pretty good.

Just across the street was a cooking school of some sort. Can't remember the name right now. For $50 US you were served whatever the chefs in training cooked for that day. Wine was included. It was great eating and sometimes, you got to watch them prepare the meals.

FWIW, there is no real good food in all of England. You might get lucky and stumble on a pub or something that might have a good meal for once. Don't count on the same place having good food ever again.

Now, if you get up to Edinburgh, LMK. I can point you in a few directions for some decent food. NO HAGGIS!

Rigmaster · Jul 10, 2009

Forgot to mention, of course London has some fantastic Indian + Pakistani and just general middle eastern food.

As far as tools, I don't know of anywhere you can find tool "deals" on new stuff. If you check around there are often Car + Motorcycle shows with swap meets that sometimes have stuff. Also be sure to check out the "car boot" sales, which are usually on weekends and are basically garage/yard sales that people have out of the trunk (boot) of their car. More like a flea market than anything- people haul stuff to a parking lot or field and have a sale.

Jim Stabe · Jul 10, 2009

I have a couple mechanically inclined Brit friends and they generally fill their suit cases over here when thry visit because everything is so expensive and less available in the UK. As far as the food, the Brits are not reknown for their great cuisine but it is great fun to pub crawl and there are pubs everywhere. After a few hours in the pubs any food you order will start to taste good.

tatra · Jul 10, 2009

where are all our english friends?............bet if you were visiting down under they would have an itineary for you before you boarded your flight........... :lol_hitti

moth · Jul 11, 2009

tatra said:
where are all our english friends?

They're here. It's rather sad to see most of you conforming to the 'stupid American' stereotype

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

tatra said:
where are all our english friends?

We're here. Having a laugh at this thread.

As far as tools go, Apart from Sears (Craftsman) I'm yet to find a country that does good quality tools, at good prices. Tools in the UK are very over priced for the good quality ones, and the poor quality ones....well. who wants poor quality tools!? :wtf:

Boil steak??!! Bwahahahahhahahahha.

moth · Jul 11, 2009

'ello Trumps. What do you think of the tools here?

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

moth said:
'ello Trumps. What do you think of the tools here?

Hello Moth.

Good quality I'd say. Top draw.

Stuey · Jul 11, 2009

moth said:
They're here. It's rather sad to see most of you conforming to the 'stupid American' stereotype

Not sure what that's specifically refering to...

Trumps said:
We're here. Having a laugh at this thread.

As far as tools go, Apart from Sears (Craftsman) I'm yet to find a country that does good quality tools, at good prices. Tools in the UK are very over priced for the good quality ones, and the poor quality ones....well. who wants poor quality tools!?

Boil steak??!! Bwahahahahhahahahha.

Dang. Oh well, I'll likely keep the tool shops at a low priority then. I was hoping to find a brand or two that cannot be easily found here.

moth · Jul 11, 2009

Trumps said:
Hello Moth.

Good quality I'd say. Top draw.

The spanners are excellent :thumbup:

moth · Jul 11, 2009

Stuey said:
Not sure what that's specifically refering to...

The culinary tips upthread are a clue

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

Stuey said:
Not sure what that's specifically refering to...

Dang. Oh well, I'll likely keep the tool shops at a low priority then. I was hoping to find a brand or two that cannot be easily found here.

As far as brands go, we have Britool, Draper Halfords (The Halfords professional range is quite 'good', but still more expensive than craftsman - for example, the Craftsman ratchet wrenches are smoother, with smaller heads.) Stahlwille (good quality, but slightly over priced) Facom (Snap-on quality, mostly, but similar snap-on prices) just to name a few.

Whenever I fly to, or through the States, my first stop is always Sears. You guys don't know how lucky you are sometimes!

Big Pete · Jul 11, 2009

This place might be of interest, they have a pretty big array of kit, in some wierd *** sizes as well, including Shreader valve taps and dies, and metric fine stuff. Not especially cheap tho.

http://www.tapdie.com/

billymade · Jul 11, 2009

A quick google maps; reveals what looks to be quite a few nice tool shops in the London area! Including this one pictured below!

Assorted dealers; some pics!
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....677068&sspn=54.401733,74.179688&ie=UTF8&z=11

Draper tools dealers
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...1.512161,-0.167542&spn=0.635873,1.229095&z=10

Machine Mart
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou....677068&sspn=52.947994,78.662109&ie=UTF8&z=12

Britool
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...51.588163,0.024719&spn=0.653583,1.159058&z=10

"Yell"; Yellow Pages for London:
http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAc...edClassification=&moreInArea=&pageNum=1&ssm=0

NeilH · Jul 11, 2009

dont buy from machine mart unless your buying name brands.

dont buy their own brand stuff because at the very best id describe it as junk.

excellent tools at great prices can be found at a cromwell.

http://www.cromwell.co.uk/

look up a store where you are staying. but our cromwell has absolutely nothing to do with the US version of cromwell. they just happen to be named the same.

Stuey · Jul 11, 2009

Big Pete said:
This place might be of interest, they have a pretty big array of kit, in some wierd *** sizes as well, including Shreader valve taps and dies, and metric fine stuff. Not especially cheap tho.

http://www.tapdie.com/

Totally forgot about them! I've been needing a G 1/4 tap for the longest time but didn't want to pay the insane prices they're sold for here. Eh, will see if it's worth the trouble. Might stock up while there to make it more worthwhile.

Maybe I can find some good chisels too! *crosses fingers that can find a few places within walking distance of hotel or places we're visiting*

wantedabiggergarage · Jul 11, 2009

Any particular type of tools your looking for?

I would think your more apt to easily be able to get diesel specific tools (like Merks want of glow plug rethreader), yet have a harder time finding some tools, like Dental picks.

:

Now, if you could find a sonic screwdriver.

And expect quite a lot of dirty looks if you go to a book store looking for an English to English translation dictionary. It is actually called American to British.

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

wantedabiggergarage said:
And expect quite a lot of dirty looks if you go to a book store looking for an English to English translation dictionary. It is actually called American to British.

I doubt very much you'd get a 'dirty' look if you asked for an english to English dictionary. You might get a "What the hell are you talking about?" kinda look though.

Here's the basics though:

American: Sidewalk........English: Pavement.
American: Trashcan........English Bin
American: Wrench..........English Spanner
American: Aluminum........English ALUMINIUM!

American: Fawcet..........English Tap
American: Diapers..........English Nappies

ZRX61 · Jul 11, 2009

Trumps said:
I doubt very much you'd get a 'dirty' look if you asked for an english to English dictionary. You might get a "What the hell are you talking about?" kinda look though.

Here's the basics though:

American: Sidewalk........English: Pavement.
American: Trashcan........English Bin
American: Wrench..........English Spanner
American: Aluminum........English ALUMINIUM!
American: Fawcet..........English Tap
American: Diapers..........English Nappies

& try not to mention "fanny" too much..

tatra · Jul 11, 2009

and don't get offended if someone asks you to join them for a ***......... :lol_hitti

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

LOL!

Fries = Chips

Taxi driver = A$$hole.

billymade · Jul 11, 2009

Here is a cool website; it will "translate" American/British... 'isms and hopefully clear up all the confusion!

http://www.translatebritish.com/

Mr.Nutcase · Jul 11, 2009

those funny brits.........

Trumps · Jul 11, 2009

billymade said:
Here is a cool website; it will "translate" American/British... 'isms and hopefully clear up all the confusion!
http://www.translatebritish.com/

That's great!

Try.. 'apple and pairs' or 'Dog and bone'

Rigmaster · Jul 11, 2009

moth said:
They're here. It's rather sad to see most of you conforming to the 'stupid American' stereotype

Well then, maybe go out on a limb here and help us out a bit?

We really can't help it, you know?

:beer:

One thing I will say is that don't be afraid to try something different to drink at the pub. If you want something slightly similar to the standard american beer- order a Pils or a Lager, if you want to try a common British beer, ask for a Bitter- but don't be surprised that it's not served ice cold. Every pub I visited had a wide selection of beers and other beverages that should be enough to please everyone.

tatra · Jul 11, 2009

and don't be offened if in the pub you offer to buy your server a drink and they pocket the cash instead.............think about how many times they are offered that on a nightly basis and the shape they would be in if they obliged all that offer........... :beer:

NeilH · Jul 11, 2009

english beer is never served ice cold. it is designed to be served at room temperature. all the other joking beers do get chilled though.

if you want a taste of home, every....and i mean every pub WILL sell budweiser in bottles. and 90% of pubs will sell miller in bottles and on tap.

and no bar attendant will accept a drink and pocket the cash.

Where to Eat and Find Tools in London?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member Emeritus

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member