We did a couple of London Walks while we there the first time. I quite enjoyed them.
Oh yes, that reminds me. Never ever use the word “quite” while talking to a Brit. Odds are, it means the opposite of what you think (assuming you’re American). For ex, “I quite enjoyed meeting you” means that you barely could stand it. In other cases, even the Brits aren’t always sure what it means…
Waiting to hear back from L’Arpege but if that comes through schedule will be:
4/12 -
take train to Paris arriving 11-12am
Lunch at L’Arpege
Check in at Hotel Relais St. Germain
Dinner at Le Comptoir
4/13
Lunch at Le Comptoir
Train to Versailles (we missed it on our last Paris trip)
Late train back to London
There will be a visit to Pierre Herme at some point. I’d also like to visit the Tuileries in the Spring, I’ve only ever been late Autumn.
It’s easier to plan Paris since I know my way around there a little. A new city is always a bit daunting for me, even when they speak (some variant of 
) English.
Any recommendations for shows in London? Charlie and the CF sounds like a promising option.
I’ll have to start researching ticket purchases.
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Jay, ill be very impressed if you can do a dinner after Arpege. I was only there once, but the food at lunch didnt stop coming even when I cried uncle. And I couldn’t resist anything that was set down because it was all so exceptional!
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Yes, I remember that. But I thought that an early lunch combined with a late dinner might be manageable. I’ll see what Arnold thinks about it tonight.
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I’m probably not the best person to advise on the tourist sights, but London does a very good job at cramming lots of recognisable sights into and area that can be covered on foot.
Decades since I went to the Tower of London, but as a child it amazed me how much was there
The museums and art galleries are seen as a great bargain, and some are still free to get into
The changing of the guard was of more interest than I expected it to be.
I always forget whether it’s the Tate Britain or Tate Modern that has the Rex Whistler restaurant. Apparently the food is decent without hitting the heights of the specialist restaurants, but the wine list is where there is huge choice and sometimes a screaming bargain.
Covent Garden often has a good buzz in the evenings, and whilst it’s a bit touristy, it’s not extreme, with a mixed bag of street performances.
I love my food, so Borough Market is often a destination - pricey at times, but there is some very good food there, from Mini Magoo’s granola, through fine cheese shops (including a branch of Neal’s yard), great olive oils, cured meats, olives, etc. The coffee at Monmouth’s is very good, though there is rarely the space to sit down. Lots of other good food places (and much rubbish in the tourist areas). Getting a picnic together at Borough Market (nr. London Bridge tube / station) might be nice even if staying in a Hotel. The other great place for a picnic, is an awfully authentic Italian alimentari on Old Compton St called ‘I Camisa’. Inexpensive but great pasta / fresh pasta sauces, and plenty of other stuff in a cosy and simple shop. If you’ve got an apartment, this is where I’d shop on a budget if I still wanted really tasty food. Across the street the ‘Vintage House’ is one of a number of places in London with a good Whiskey selection, and just a bit further on is the excellent Algerian Coffee Stores for very good coffee beans & loose tea. Piccadilly circus is often a convenient tube stop.
Shows are very much not my thing (more like torture), though I know Wicked gets good press. Look to others for your advice here!
Try to plot to walk whenever possible, and buy an A2Z map as soon as you can. Many visitors walk further to get a tube 2-3 stops, than they would if they simply walked directly there. The tube is often a grim soul-destroying experience. Buses are better, but find a good app to help, as most people find it too confusing to work out the routes. ‘Oyster Cards’ are a decent option even for just a few days. A friend also speaks highly of the river ferries, especially on a nice day, and if your travel plans are up/down the river.
There are a few enomatic tasting wine bars around now. The Sampler is good, but both are a little way out of the way - handy if heading in that direction.
Rochelle Canteen is getting some very positive feedback on Wine Pages, as the adopted home of the ‘Oddities’ tastings. It’s an old school bike shed near Liverpool St Station, converted into a modestly fitted out restaurant. BYO on the wine - I can’t remember the corkage, but not excessive. The only catch is poor glasses & whilst bringing your own is ok, not especially convenient if travelling.
I agree on the parks - a wonderful asset, often under-used. On a nice day, they make a good picnic destination, and are great for an early morning walk.
As with any major city, if you have a special interest, London will have a shop for it, and it’s well worth preparing in advance. Try yell.co.uk for the business listings, and the site is easy to use.
One ‘mustn’t do’. I had to endure ‘The London Dungeon’ one year with relatives. If you love appalling ham acting in stupid sets, then it might appeal. Otherwise you’ll spend your time wondering if there is a side door to sneak out of.
Hope this helps
Ian
Quite.
Which in this context is anything from a somewhat terse / almost irritated agreement, to just a shorthand full agreement where additional words would be spurious
although a little (but not excessively) expensive, Fortnum and Mason are getting some genuine praise for their wine buying for their shop. More geeky/trendy than you’d expect.
An early lunch refers to the start time, not the finish time
Tate Britain. Well-priced, and the incredible mural by Whistler is worth the price of admission. Great wine list, especially in half bottle if I remember correctly.
And just don’t try to get on the Covent Garden tube after the opera/ballet gets out on a Friday night – awful! Walk to Leicester Square…
And here we have confirmation from a native speaker (thanks, Ian!). Apropos, in excusing myself to the lady I “quite enjoyed meeting,” I sent a full-page very extensive email explaining how Americans think they understand English but while in London are lost without a native guide, etc.
Her reply? “I see.”
If you like cheese, and find yourself near any of the Neal’s Yard shops, worth stopping in to try some samples and buy some cheese!
NYC area shops get in quite a lot of Neal’s Yard cheese but I suppose it can’t hurt to try it at the source 
Managed to snag a reservation for afternoon tea at Claridges on 4/14. They were already almost all booked up during out time there.
Arnold nixed the idea of seeing shows in London based on being able to do that in NYC any time.
Lunch at L’Arpege and dinner at Le Comptoir. No need to eat the next day.
Starting to check out London restaurants. Gymkhana looks great and a short walk from the hotel.
Debating how much to try to do on the first day - our flight leaves 6:25pm and arrives 6:25am. We were considering a half day black car tour of London which gets great Tripadvisor reviews, wouldn’t require much walking and apparently is a good introduction to London neighborhoods. Not sure how necessary that is though.
Thank you all for the recommendations, it is greatly appreciated!
There’s a cool room at the British Library with a Magna Carta and a Gutenberg Bible.
At the British Museum there’s the Bog Man, if you like dead guys.
Neal’s Yard in Coventry Garden is a great stop in a great area. Try the Gorwydd and Stinking Bishop, rare to see them in the US.
Pollen Street Social Club eclipsed the Ledbury as my favorite in London and not as far from where you’ll be staying. Very traditional and fantastic seafood is JJ Sheekey. And many great Indian choices.
If you like history, Churchill’s war rooms are a really interesting take. If you like architecture and museums on the quirky side, Sir John Soames mansion is a museum that is exactly as he left it 180 years ago.
I like Gymkhana quite a lot. When you book, ask to be seated upstairs (on the ground floor, rather than in the downstairs/below ground dining room). The tasting menus include many of the highlights, but are enormous amounts of food.
Which part of Bubbledogs? The champagne/hot dogs restaurant or Kitchen Table?
Thanks for the advice!
I didn’t know there was a Kitchen Table, I enjoyed the hot dogs at La Fete de Champagne and thought it would be fun to visit the restaurant.
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The Araki, The Ledbury or The Ritz depending on preference. I always visit Chinatown for at least one meal, Red and Hot, Bar Shu etc.