Picture of the week

Tower Bridge opens for a cruise- London (UK)

Kua 'Aina, the hawaiian barbecue in London

Exterior, Carnaby Street

A few weeks ago we found this gem. We were on our way somewhere else, but we have walked so much in Hyde Park and Oxford Street that I could not feel my feet, so I wanted to sit as soon as possible.

Basement

My boyfriend wanted a burger and I was not really hungry, but I could not resist to trying something new , so I ordered one for me as well. 

Burger with a full avocado

So I decided for an avocado burger. To be honest, I was not really sure what I was ordering, last time I went to Nando's (which I hate) I ordered one mushroom wrap and there was no chicken in it, only a big mushroom and a sad cheese! 

Eating in London for less than 10£

Some people might say London is a really expensive city, that the lifestyle is too expensive. And I say: it depends. Don't you believe me? Read this entry.

We can't deny that the British Pound worths much more than other currencies like the Euro or Dollar. So, with the exchange rate, yes, it could look much more expensive. But happens to be that we spend a lot of money in eating while on holidays. London is the city of the take away. A few of us bring food to work, most live on sandwiches and the take away for most of the  month. And that is the reason why eating out is really cheap. Sometimes it even turns out to be cheaper buying out than cooking at home. So I give you a list of restaurants that appear all around England and that are a good option is you are travelling on a tight budget or you just do not want to wast any time and enjoy the city to the full.

I give you all the restaurants were you can eat (main dish and soft drink) for under 10£ per person without having to stand. And I want to make really clear that I am only talking about chains, but all along UK there are thousands of similar independent companies that offer the same, you just need to look a bit around.

Ping Pong: This is a Chinese food chain serving mainly dim sums. The little steamed bites are a healthy and tasty alternative. They always have offers at lunch time and even at diner. They also have other traditional Chinese food, but that would go out of our budget. They are proper restaurants, not for fast food.

Itsu: This is a Japanese, also really healthy, but the shops are more to eat fast than enjoying a quiet night. They mainly have sushi, salads and noodles or rices.

Wasabi: another Japanese, really similar to Itsu, but I always think they have more to choose from.  

Pizza Express: many Italians would tell you this is not the authentic Italian pizza. To be honest, I have seen so many types of pizza, that I do not know what is authentic and what is not. The pizzas, salads and pastas are quite well and they are around 7-9£, although the restaurants look quite more expensive than that! They have been awarded with the best pizza award in 2012. 

Strada: quite similar to Pizza Express, it is a bit more expensive and I personally do not like it as much, but it is also a really good option. 

Wagamama: I am not a fan of this one, but I include it here because it is quite popular in the country. Japanese food without sushi. The tables are to share, but they have waiter service.
Wetherspoon: This one is about pubs. Because pubs have generally good food, mainly English dishes and the prices are really popular. Wetherspoon has really cheap prices and all their pubs look independent from one another. Be careful going with children as some of them do not allow them in depending on their emergency exits.
Nando's: I am not a fan at all, but everybody else seem to love it. They mainly do chicken. Yes, only chicken and some vegetarian dishes.

I will keep adding as soon as I remember more, but I can assure you will find most of them in any city across UK.

Egg hunting in London and the rest of United Kingdom

Are you coming to United Kingdom in the next weeks? OK, maybe same time next year? Then look around as there are hundreds of Easter eggs spread around the cities for the big egg hunt.

They are everywhere and the aim is to find them all. I don't need to tell you children are even more excited with the experience than adults, making it a perfect experience for the whole family. But also for groups, couples and individuals.

Don't forget this is one of the exclusive things you can do in London (and the rest of the country) only in Easter.

London Motor Museum (UK)

This is a classic cars museum, and it rocks! I took my boyfriend there for a treat and he loved it. Well, to be honest, I loved it too! I think it is great for the whole family, to go with your friends and even with your date (although guys, don't take her there on your first date or she will think you only think in yourself ;) ). 

At the beginning I thought it was a tiny place, but there are more and more rooms the more you walk in. There are over 150 cars from all times! But not only cars, they also have motorcycles, boats, movie cars, bicycles, tractors, trunks and custom cars.

Basically, they have a bit of everything and most of the cars are in really good condition, some of them were so clean like this one.

Picture of the week

London Eye- London (UK)

Cubana Restaurant- London (UK)

There are a few Cuban places in London, but relating to proper Cuban food, this is the first time I find it freshly made. In previous ocassions I have been really disappointed with supposed "Cubans" that offer nachos and even Padron peppers. Yes, you can't fool me with Cuban Padrón peppers, they are from where I was born in Spain. But this restaurant is different. Only looking at the facade, you realise you can expect some Cuban atmosphere.

Once inside, everything remembers to Cuba: the flags, the communist propaganda, Ché, the mojitos, the loud music and that spark that only Cubans have. Because here, most of the staff is Cuban. Let's say this is a proper Cuban.

I have been twice already and the place was completely full. It's not easy as there are loads of space and the tables are spread in several rooms, allowing you the perfect intimacy a birthday celebration among your friends require.

ropa vieja

Having eaten both times I must recommend you ropa vieja, that was extraordinary. Also the vegetarian platter, croquettes and prawns were pretty good.
I am not discovering anything new saying the menu is not really choiceful, there's not a lot either to choose from in paladares and restaurants in Cuba, but I am sure you can find something you like.

vegetarian platter

Cons? They will need an extra hand serving. They are too busy for the staff they have and a bit of organization.

coated prawns

Plus, this place is perfect to have a few drinks! They have a good choice of cocktails that are freshly made while you wait. There is alittle problem: there is not enough space for this during diner and lunch times. Although as I said, the place is quite big, the tables are all reserved for people that are actually eating, so only the bar remains for the rest. And it is also at the entrance, where people is passing by all the time. Did I say already that this place is always F-U-L-L?

They also offer the posibility of reserving one of their areas for birthdays, parties, etc...

Tip: book in advance, it's always full.

Category: Cuban
Waitress: 7
Toilets: 8
Decoration: 9
Price: 7
Location: 8
Comodity: 6
Variety of the menu: 6
Valuation of the food: 8

Valuation of the service: 5
Visited: January 2013

GENERAL VALUATION: 7

8 Lower Marsh

Londres SE1 7RG

Tel: 00 44 (0) 20 7928 8778

reservations@cubana.co.uk 

Web

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Alert: new low cost in London!

Well, not new, but what it is new is that they will have a hub in London! More flights to choose from yay! 

Norwegian, the second largest airline in Scandinavia, will have a hub in London Gatwick from April 2013.

Watch out, Easyjet, here they come! (And they offer free wi-fi on board).

Heathrow's T5 in full

How do you get from Terminal 5A to Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C?

A track transit train connects the three buildings at Terminal 5.  Customers with flights departing from Terminal 5C need to stay on the train when it stops at Terminal 5B and get off at the final stop, which is Terminal 5C.

How long does it take to travel from Terminal 5A to Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C?

Customers are advised to allow 15 minutes to travel from Terminal 5A to Terminal 5B and 20 minutes to travel from Terminal 5A to Terminal 5C.  Customers need to be at the gate 20 minutes before their flight departure time.  

Are there lounge facilities in Terminal 5C?

There are no lounge facilities in Terminal 5C.  Eligible customers can make use of the exclusive Galleries Lounges in Terminal 5A or Terminal 5B before proceeding to Terminal 5C prior to departure.  

Lounges in Heathrow's T5

Virgin's direct destinations

As of today these are the direct destinations Virgin has.

** please check in their website for more up to date information.

UK 30 Nov 2011 strike

If you are travelling this Wednesday, be aware of the public sector strike that can affect you with delays and long queues. BA border force staff will go on strike meaning airports will be severely affected with disruptions. Flights are operating normally, but if you are travelling to/from an international destination you may experience long queues at the border.

Most airlines are allowing passengers to change tickets if you are travelling on this date, but not all. Please contact your airline or travel agency for further information.

Refunds are not permitted with most airlines.

Here you have guidelines for some airlines:

BA- change free of charge in the same cabin if seats are available.

We are planning to operate a normal schedule but will be monitoring the situation closely.
	More information
	Passengers Departing from London (or transferring from a UK Domestic flight onto an international flight) If you are starting your journey from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City airports on 30 November you will, as standard, not need to pass through any UKBA check points so will proceed as normal. Passengers travelling on UK Domestic flights If you are arriving or departing on a UK Domestic flight on 30 November you will, as standard, not need to pass through any UKBA check points so will proceed as normal. Passengers Arriving in London (or transferring through London onto a UK Domestic flight) If you are due to arrive on an international flight into Heathrow, Gatwick or London City airports on Wednesday 30 November, you have the option to change your arrival date into London to one of the dates below, subject to availability: 27, 28 or 29 November 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 December To change your booking free of charge, please go to Manage My Booking on ba.com > Manage My Booking

Finnair: Rebookings are allowed in the same booking class until 30DEC free of charge.

Qantas: Rebook to alternative Qantas/British Airways flights between 27 November 2011 and 07 December 2011.

The following commercial policy is available to Qantas customers holding a valid Qantas (081) ticket issued on/before 24 November 2011 due to arrive into London Heathrow airport on 30 November 2011 and who wish to make changes to their booking.

Passengers may, without fee:

• Rebook to alternative Qantas/British Airways flights between 27 November 2011 and 07 December 2011(including QF Codeshare flights operated by BA).
• Re-route travel
  Via the most direct routing using Qantas.
  Return to the origin port via the most direct routing using Qantas.  
  
  Conditions:

o    All changes must be made prior to, or on day of departure

o    Alternative dates to rebook inbound travel are restricted to 27/28/29 November 2011 or 01/02/03/04/05/06/07 December 2011.

o    Alternative flights must be booked as per the original booking class (eg O/Q/S/L/M in applicable cabin). Should the original booking class not be available, re-book in the lowest booking class within the same travel cabin.

o    New travel dates must be within ticket validity.

o    Qantas will not be responsible for paying any other costs or expenses such as hotel or other ground operator fees arising due to events beyond our control, unless required by applicable laws.

o    All other rules and conditions of the ticket remain unchanged.

o    Refunds are not permitted unless allowed under ticketed fare rules.

o    This policy also applies to customers who are booked on Codeshare flights operated by Qantas.

Air New Zealand: 

• Passengers ticketed to travel on NZ2 29Nov from AKL or LAX to LHR may change their date of travel (i.e. bring forward or defer) to another date prior to and including Monday the 5th December.

Aer Lingus: no changes free of charge as flights are operating. If passenger wants to change, need to pay fee plus upgrading.

American Airlines: Customers ticketed to arrive on an international American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia flight into London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City or Manchester on November 30, 2011 where tickets were issued no later than November 25, 2011 may amend their flights to travel between November 28, 2011 and December 7, 2011.

Swiss: One Rebooking permitted free of charge on the following dates: 27, 28, 29 NOV and 1,2,3,4 DEC 2011 (fare & validity restrictions can be ignored) if seats are available in the respective compartment. Providing some conditions and for tickets issued before 25th Nov.

Air France and KLM: rebooking permitted in the same cabin to any date before 7 Dec.


United Airlines and Continental: are waiving change fees and add collect for customers arriving or connecting in the U.K. on November 30, when re-booked prior to December 7, 2011.


Emirates: their tickets rebooked/re-issued for travel on the following dates at no additional cost provided the original class is available for the new date:28 or 29 Nov 11, 01 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 or 07 Dec 11.


Qatar: This policy applies to passengers holding a confirmed reservation and a confirmed ticket issued on/or prior to 30th November 2011 for travel on one of the affected flights on 30th November 2011 only.

1. Rebook to an alternative QR service between DOH and LHR or MAN (and any QR connecting flight which is part of the original ticket) without penalty under the following conditions: The new dates of travel must be between 26th November and 3rd December 2011 inclusive. Rebooking should be made in the original ticketed class. Where this is not available, rebooking should be made in the lowest available class in the same cabin.

Jet Airways:Guests arriving London (LHR) 30^th November, 2011 may change their bookings to earlier flight dates (27^th, 28^th, 29^th November, 2011) or rebook to later flight dates (1^st to 7^th December, 2011) on the lowest available RBDs, free of charge.

La Siesta Tapas-London (UK)

Probably the best and most typical Spanish Tapas bar in London, La Siesta Tapas is allocated close to the Broadway in Ealing.

I have been a couple of times before to Spanish restaurants were the food is average but the price is high. This one unites quality and reasonable price.
We will not talk about my concept of tapas, as the people from the North of Spain are used to smaller plates around 1-1.50€, while the people from the rest of Spain pay around 3.50-4€ for a slightly bigger amount of food. That is also what you are expecting from a tapa outside Spain. 

paella

We were a group of 10 and ordered food from the 13£ menu. We though the 9£ one is too little if you are hungry. But actually, when we saw the amount of food in each plate, we thought it was good compared with other places. Also, some people ordered apart from the menu ie: paella and us the Padrón peppers. If you have never tried them, you should. They come from my region, Galicia and we say: uns pican e outros non. Translating: Some of them are spicy and the rest are not. The trick? You never know what you are getting until the pepper is in your mouth. They are delicious, believe me :)

Padrón peppers

The jamón serrano and the manchego cheese were really tasty, also the prawns, the meatballs and the fish. The squid was really good, but the tortilla was a bit disappointing: dry and with a brown onion that made it look like it was surprise omelette, but it wasn´t. 

Waiters could be a bit more friendly instead of so serious. It wasn´t a busy night and they look to be in a rush all the time! Although the food arrive soon, there is no reason not to smile.

Overall, a good place to eat!

Category: Spanish/tapas
Waiters: 6
Toilets: 6
Decoration: 7
Price: 8.5
Location: 6
Variety on the menu: 9
Evaluation of the food: 8
Disalbed adapted: no
Went on: September 2011

Overal: 7.5

La Siesta Bar De Tapas
11 Bond Street,
Ealing, London,
W5 5AP London

Web

Phone: 0208 810 0505

Restaurant deals on-line

If you like going out for dinner, you will love these websites where you can get great discounts or even dine for free! What do you need to do? As easy as booking on-line:

• Toptable.com: 

1. Book, enjoy, rate, comment and you will get points. 
2. When booking 7 restaurants, the 8th is free. 
3. Plus, they have discounts and offers where you can still get points.
4. Confirmation of booking will come in a few minutes.
5. Bookings available in several countries.

• Bookatable.com: 

1. Book any of their offers and later rate and comment. 
2. You will not get points or anything for free, not that I am aware of.
3. Confirmation online straight away.
4. Bookings available in several countries.

• Opentable.com

1. Is also Toptable.com, but mainly in the US.
2. Instant confirmation.
3. Gives you points redeemable for dining cheques.

• vouchercloud.com

1. All kind of voucher, not only for restaurants.
2. Booking a table is not an option but you can get 2 for 1 meals, % discounts and more.
3. Print and go.

All of them, have apps for smartphones. See this post about restaurant apps.