Tony considers London home and is delighted to be able to visit even for a short time. He spends the trip meeting up with Fergus Henderson and Marco Pierre White, celebrity chefs, in between incredible meals. These are our top tips from The Layover London Episode, and make sure you check them out before travelling across the pond.
Misconceptions about London
"Bastion of good manners?" No. Nah. Not the London I know. How English in London? Chicken tikka masala is the most popular national dish.
St. John Hotel
Fergus Henderson, my friend and spiritual leader, opened this new restaurant. The downstairs restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the same charming, excellent, old-school British style as St. John Restaurant in Clerkenwell. It is my favourite restaurant anywhere in the world.
English Food
"Any notion that English food is bad?" This is a hopelessly outdated notion. London has been a food capital for many years. Pubs are well-known, and they are as remarkable and delicate as they seem to be. Here, people love to drink, sometimes too much and sometimes not healthy. It is easy to see why London is my favourite city. A home away from home is often a good thing."
Sweets
"One of the great institutions in what's known as "The City", which refers to London's financial district. Your waiter will be your waiter for the rest of your life and wait until he has a table. This is a relationship that lasts longer than some marriages.
London's Pubs
London is a social hub, with pubs being open at all hours. For me, late afternoon is when I like to be quiet.
If You Feel the Bar is Too Crowded
"Something unique about London, and you can always go outside if it gets too crowded.
Leicester Square
"Frankly... it's a freaking slaughterhouse."
Bond Street
"Where refined gentlemen such as... well... not me, purchase their shoes, shirts, and other things."
Handmade Shoes
Handmade shoes can be expensive. These shoes are expected to last a lifetime in good condition, and they keep the impression on your feet forever after they get it. You can order shoes in your preferred fit for all your life, no matter where you live.
The 2 Sides to Soho
"Soho" at night is very different from what it looks like during the day. It can be both entertaining and, unfortunately, a douche-apocalypse at night. You never know what you might find. You might need a backroom if you stay at a Frith Street hotel, and it's loud."
The London Eye
It's the most visited tourist attraction. Why? "I don't know."
Borough Market
"Artisanal bakers, dedicated producers of pork... all kinds of delicious English food you can stuff in your mouth. The market is surrounded by some of the most renowned speciality food shops globally, such as Neal's Yard Dairy, where everyone who loves cheese can get their cheese. According to my research, the English make some of the finest cheeses in the entire world.
The Price of London
It's costly in this area, and it will cost you $30 to get into a taxi. What about a beer? A beer? It's a good beer."
Taking a Cab
"Never take a minicab. Only black cabs. Only black cabs come with the meter to see how much you are paying. They also know alternative routes to get there, and they can charge whatever they want and don't know where they are going.
The Tube
"London's subway. It is older, cleaner, and no more efficient than New York's subway, and it beats driving sometimes, and taxis in New York are costly.
Ride the Tube
Do not be rude to Londoners. They may take offence at your actions and want to put a boot in your skull. Avoid the Tube during rush hour. It's a [expletive] nightmare
