Good Cheap Eats in London 2000

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond with Flaws
Review: We find this book difficult to rate. Yes, we have just upgraded our 1998 version to the 2000 edition, and it is one of the few guides we take with us on our fairly frequent trips to London. But we find it fraught with many failings.

As per its title, it reviews inexpensive restaurants in London. It includes only those places in which a two-course meal with a drink, coffee, and gratuity can be had for less than twenty pounds (some thirty-five American dollars or so). It deals only with restaurants; pubs are not included.

There are (by our count) 378 entries. Each entry (there are four to five per page) includes the address, phone number, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, and a very brief review of the cuisine as well as the quality of the food. A numerical price estimate is also given (we assume it also refers to a two course meal with drink, coffee, and gratuity) and some entries are awarded a one star (very good) or two star (exceptional) rating.

The first two-thirds of the book list the entries in alphabetical order. The remainder of the guide has various indices ordering restaurants by cuisine, location, whether they are open for breakfast, cater to children, are open late, have no-smoking areas, private rooms, or outside tables. This approach we find very cumbersome.

Maps are included at the end. Although restaurant names are printed in bold face the map grids are printed in a light gray. In anything but the brightest light we are unable to read many of the street names. Using the guide therefore often requires an adjunct readable map. We consider this a distinct failing.

Overall we find this, begrudgingly, a useful guide. The size is convenient and it does include a fair number of eateries. It is not the easiest to use however, and its reviews typically provide scant information.

As we have stated, it is one of the very few guides we carry with us. But we cannot recommend it strongly. Three stars is all it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond with Flaws
Review: We find this book difficult to rate. Yes, we have just upgraded our 1998 version to the 2000 edition, and it is one of the few guides we take with us on our fairly frequent trips to London. But we find it fraught with many failings.

As per its title, it reviews inexpensive restaurants in London. It includes only those places in which a two-course meal with a drink, coffee, and gratuity can be had for less than twenty pounds (some thirty-five American dollars or so). It deals only with restaurants; pubs are not included.

There are (by our count) 378 entries. Each entry (there are four to five per page) includes the address, phone number, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, and a very brief review of the cuisine as well as the quality of the food. A numerical price estimate is also given (we assume it also refers to a two course meal with drink, coffee, and gratuity) and some entries are awarded a one star (very good) or two star (exceptional) rating.

The first two-thirds of the book list the entries in alphabetical order. The remainder of the guide has various indices ordering restaurants by cuisine, location, whether they are open for breakfast, cater to children, are open late, have no-smoking areas, private rooms, or outside tables. This approach we find very cumbersome.

Maps are included at the end. Although restaurant names are printed in bold face the map grids are printed in a light gray. In anything but the brightest light we are unable to read many of the street names. Using the guide therefore often requires an adjunct readable map. We consider this a distinct failing.

Overall we find this, begrudgingly, a useful guide. The size is convenient and it does include a fair number of eateries. It is not the easiest to use however, and its reviews typically provide scant information.

As we have stated, it is one of the very few guides we carry with us. But we cannot recommend it strongly. Three stars is all it deserves.