Food
I found a small restaurant called Nambu-Tei last week, when my Finnish guest and I were up in Baker Street hoping to find a vaguely Sherlockian cafe to satisfy her cravings for Very English Things involving her favourite detective. Alas, the only cafes appeared to be in the 'caff' end of things rather than the 'cream tea' end, and we wandered off to find food elsewhere. We found Nambu-Tei, and handily we both rather like Japanese.
It's a lot cheaper than most Japanese places in London, with lunch costing only £10 each for a massive bowl of ebi tempura udon soup, three generously sized pieces of sushi, and even slices of orange for refreshment. It appears to be actually Japanese, with English on the menu mostly as a polite footnote. The staff are polite and friendly, but not intrusive- our meal wasn't interrupted by staff asking how everything was, the way meals tend to be almost everywhere else.
It's hidden in a dingy looking arcade almost directly opposite Baker Street Tube Station and has no windows facing out- passing foot traffic couldn't stare in even if there was any passing foot traffic. It's not an immediately obvious place, but once inside it was a lovely retreat from the increasing threat of rain and crowds. I had a look for it on the internet this evening, and found universally glowing reviews, all appearing pleased that it was their own special discovery and no one else had found it yet.
I think I'll be going back there. Possibly this weekend. I'll also need to start scouting new pubs for occasional pint-and-pub-food forays, since my beloved Black Horse (the one just off Oxford Street) has now closed. Preferably pubs that don't gouge ridiculously for a simple pint of cider.
It's a lot cheaper than most Japanese places in London, with lunch costing only £10 each for a massive bowl of ebi tempura udon soup, three generously sized pieces of sushi, and even slices of orange for refreshment. It appears to be actually Japanese, with English on the menu mostly as a polite footnote. The staff are polite and friendly, but not intrusive- our meal wasn't interrupted by staff asking how everything was, the way meals tend to be almost everywhere else.
It's hidden in a dingy looking arcade almost directly opposite Baker Street Tube Station and has no windows facing out- passing foot traffic couldn't stare in even if there was any passing foot traffic. It's not an immediately obvious place, but once inside it was a lovely retreat from the increasing threat of rain and crowds. I had a look for it on the internet this evening, and found universally glowing reviews, all appearing pleased that it was their own special discovery and no one else had found it yet.
I think I'll be going back there. Possibly this weekend. I'll also need to start scouting new pubs for occasional pint-and-pub-food forays, since my beloved Black Horse (the one just off Oxford Street) has now closed. Preferably pubs that don't gouge ridiculously for a simple pint of cider.