Prices going up

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I went to a small bistro in Limehouse yesterday for a quick lunch, trust me it was not smart or flash. Ordered some soup, I was asked if I wanted bread with the soup, I agreed. The soup arrived, it was £11.95 for a small cereal sized bowl, wasnt home made. When the bread arrived it was a single slice of pre cut white bread, no butter. I had been expected a couple of rolls and some butter for the £4 charge. I asked the waitress if that was it, of course I was told it was.

I know I have 50% Yorkshire blood but I really felt that I had been ripped off, perhaps I am out of touch with London prices. This was reinforced when I had a walk down Narrow Street to the Grapes, asked for a pint and was relieved of £9 for a glass of (I wont call it beer) overgassed overchilled glass of flavoured water.
 
I went to a small bistro in Limehouse yesterday for a quick lunch, trust me it was not smart or flash. Ordered some soup, I was asked if I wanted bread with the soup, I agreed. The soup arrived, it was £11.95 for a small cereal sized bowl, wasnt home made. When the bread arrived it was a single slice of pre cut white bread, no butter. I had been expected a couple of rolls and some butter for the £4 charge. I asked the waitress if that was it, of course I was told it was.

I know I have 50% Yorkshire blood but I really felt that I had been ripped off, perhaps I am out of touch with London prices. This was reinforced when I had a walk down Narrow Street to the Grapes, asked for a pint and was relieved of £9 for a glass of (I wont call it beer) overgassed overchilled glass of flavoured water.
It wasn't "The Narrow" perchance? That's owned by Gordon Ramsey. Used to be a lovely pub (Barley Mow) before he ruined it.
And "The Grapes" is owned by Sir Ian McKellen now. I haven't been in years, but there used to be a great fish restaurant upstairs.
I used to live halfway between the two almost 25 years ago. I wish I had bought a flat there back then before it became fashionable and prices went up ever so slightly. As you noticed. But then I wouldn't have an "SE" postcode to go with my razor preference.
 
If you are up in Town, Chinatown is a good bet for a reasonable good quality meal. Peer through the windows and only eat where the Chinese eat, the food will be excellent and reasonably priced. When I lived in Soho the Wong Kei in Wardour St did a huge bowl of Duck Soup Noodle at lunchtime for about £1.50 - now about £10. Don't expect any fancy service, you will have to share a table, sit down, shut up and eat. The other cheap eateries in Soho are long gone - the Italian Cafe in Brewer St that made 'home made' lunches for a couple of quid, the Jewish Salt Beef Bar near Piccadilly Circus which did about a pound of hot fatty salt beef on rye bread with mustard ( Heaven) for a quid.

I'll shut up.
 
It wasn't "The Narrow" perchance? That's owned by Gordon Ramsey. Used to be a lovely pub (Barley Mow) before he ruined it.
And "The Grapes" is owned by Sir Ian McKellen now. I haven't been in years, but there used to be a great fish restaurant upstairs.
I used to live halfway between the two almost 25 years ago. I wish I had bought a flat there back then before it became fashionable and prices went up ever so slightly. As you noticed. But then I wouldn't have an "SE" postcode to go with my razor preference.


Hi

Not the Narrow, I also used to go there in the pub days, especially on monday nights for the quiz, they used to do a huge bowl of sausages with a honey glaze, enough to share plus good hand pulled beer. I like the Grapes but it gets packed, a good historic pub, Charles Dickens even called it a wreck of a place tumbling into the Thames.
 
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If you are up in Town, Chinatown is a good bet for a reasonable good quality meal. Peer through the windows and only eat where the Chinese eat, the food will be excellent and reasonably priced. When I lived in Soho the Wong Kei in Wardour St did a huge bowl of Duck Soup Noodle at lunchtime for about £1.50 - now about £10. Don't expect any fancy service, you will have to share a table, sit down, shut up and eat. The other cheap eateries in Soho are long gone - the Italian Cafe in Brewer St that made 'home made' lunches for a couple of quid, the Jewish Salt Beef Bar near Piccadilly Circus which did about a pound of hot fatty salt beef on rye bread with mustard ( Heaven) for a quid.

I'll shut up.

Lina store does good sarnies too! I believe Nando's and Wagamama worth the price too (at least talking about portion!). I don't mind paying a "expensive" price if it's worth and you feel satisfied after the meal! Ottolenghi and Honey & Co. (similar kitchen) are my favs in the "expensive" mode!
 
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