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Tower Bridge opens for a cruise- London (UK)

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Cardiff Castle- United Kingdom

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Henley-on-Thames (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.

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Henley-on-Thames (England)

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Edinburgh- UK

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Sunset in Edinburgh (UK)

Four Pillars Hotel Cotswold Water Park 4★- UK

The hotel is split in several buildings

This wonderful hotel is a good option if you are looking for something in the area, good service and good value for money.

shame we could not enjoy the terrace at 10ºC

I am sure you have heard of Cotswold as a typical destination in UK. There are uncountable things you can do for a weekend or week away, but there they multiple more choices as there are a total of 147 lakes created from the extraction of minerals in the past 50 years. This area is known as Cotswold Water Park, and regardless of its name, this more a conservation area more than a water park. Do not expect any fun rides or anything similar!

The spacious room

Although we went at the beginning of March and it was cold, in summer this is more a holiday area for families that can enjoy the beach, windsurf, fishing, golf, horse riding and a lot of activities more. I must confess I would not find coming back in summer and see the lakes with a bit of sunshine, because the location looks gorgeous, because due to the fog and such a grey day you couldn't say: oh, wonderful!

But let's go back to the hotel. Apart from a good sleep and the wonderful food, this hotel has a spa. It is not massive, but despite the high season when we went, you can enjoy everything in a quite intimate atmosphere. We had moments where we were alone in the steam room and the sauna. And the swimming pool was not enjoyed with more than 8 people at all times.

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Royal Mile- Edinburgh (UK)

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Cardiff Castle- UK

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Bodiam Castle- UK

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Bodiam Castle- UK

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Beachy Head- UK

Castle Combe the idyllic English village

A little, tiny village says they are the prettiest in England and I decided it was to time see it that was true. Because it's not like there are no nice villages in UK, no.

Modern against old? How long is going to take for phone boxes to disappear? 

It is quite difficult to find, I was driving while my boyfriend told me the sat nav was saying we were there and I had to slam on the brakes to not miss it.  Yes, it is so tiny that only around 350 people live there.

Castle Combe is not more than three streets, a few housed, a  church, a couple of pubs and hotels and an bridge over a river. Is that all? Well, yes, but everything in this place is so old and so well preserved that you really have to pay a visit. 

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.

Bodiam Castle- UK

1385, not less. This XIV beautiful castle is one of the best hidden secrets of England. It is even quite far from any population and it's surrounded by fields. And water as well :)  

The setting makes it magic. Green pastures there, clouds and rays of sunlight here and a moat that reflects ones and the others while a lot of ducks swim in their waters waiting for a human to feed them some bread. It looks like taken out of a fantastic story and it really makes you forget about the city's stress.

This places are good to make you exercise your imagination. Not only you spot the walls, you are already thinking about knight in their horses and lances, women dressed in period clothes with their blushed cheeks and how they did spend their time without internet and smartphones. 

I even imagined myself in that time, parties at the castle every week. The truth is that everyone that has visited the castle describes it as a fairy tale. From outside it looks like it's wholly build and from inside the owner will come to receive you with his servants and all their grace. 

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London Eye- London (UK)

Beachy Head- Eastbourne (UK)

There is something about the English's countryside that moves me. Maybe it's the fact that it remembers me to Galicia with the green and damp fields, full of trees, harvest and cows. The climate also helps, of course. So when I proposed my boyfriend doing a weekend trip and he said it was ok, but I had to drive, I did not mind at all. I love driving and I even love it more if there is countryside.

One of our stops were the imponent cliffs of what I have read and seen wonders: Beachy Head.

Surrounded of green pastures full of grazing white sheeps that look at humans with curiosity, this cape is an amazing white giant that surges from the sea. Not less than 162 metres at some points, turning it into the highest chalk cliff in UK.

I haven't been able to find the total lenght of this beauty, it must be around the 3.5 kms of the walk along the coast for the adventurous ones. But you only have to look at this picture in Wikipedia to realise how this giant shines from the coast.

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 

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