London: Stylish and Affordable Dining

Library Journal

For those enamored of good food at great prices, this luscious guide may prompt a spur-of-the-moment flight to London. Louie, a New York Times contributor and recipient of a James Beard Journalism Award, credits her many friends and contacts in the design world for recommendations for the 52 featured restaurants. She conveniently organizes the book by north, central, south, east, and west London locations. At the end, one finds a list of Louie's favorites and a section of "best for" restaurants from breakfasts to small plates. Some listings are expected-Harvey Nichols's Fifth Floor Café, the Tate Modern Café, and Ladurée at Harrods. There are numerous pubs, now known as gastropubs, that serve better-than-average fare. Ethnic fare features prominently, with food from Turkey, Spain, Germany, France, and the Far East. A few of the restaurants are quirky, especially Maison Bertaux, a French patisserie that operates without a menu and on the honor system for payment. Nicholls's (Classic Cafes) photography greatly enhances the text; this small book looks good enough to eat. Librarians shouldn't expect it to stay on the shelf long or for it to return-the only negative to its purchase.
—Janet Ross