Favorite Local Indy Restuarant & Favorite Chain

Haven't seen this discussed, so I'll start it off--

Favorite local restaurant - Cardamom (Indian)
Favorite Chain- Nando's

I'm in Harborne Brum

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For great local restaurants, we like Greedie's in Old Isleworth for breakfast and Don Fernando's in Richmond for dinner.

As for a chain restaurant, Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

Favorite local restaurants: Thai Thai in East Ham and Spice Inn in Stratford (Indian). Plus the Aroma chinese buffet in Basildon! (somewhat local anyway... we drive out there a lot.)

Chain: Definitely Nandos! It's an addiction for me.

Independent - There are still lots I'd like to try around here, but so far I love the Porthminster Beach Cafe in St. Ives and Gurnard's Head in Zennor. Also, another fave (not near here but back in Wales, where I used to live) is The Hardwick in Abergavenny. Stephen Terry is amazing. Oh, and The Crown at Whitebrook near Monmouth - but perhaps only for very special occasions.

Chain - No thank you!

Grumbles for independent.

Wagamamas or Giraffe are my current top chains, although we don't go out often any more, chain or independent.

Gruel is my favorite for brunch. Keogh's is my favorite coffee shop. There is a killer Chinese restaurant near our house. I forget what it's called.

As for chains, I like Nando's and Wagamama's, but if I chose based on number of visits, it would probably be McDonald's. 

Local - Chilli (Indian restaurant)

Chain - Akbars (Indian, I think just in Yorkshire though)

I like Wagamama and actually think our local Harvester is decent. I've had some good meals at Loch Fyne too.

I've had a harder time finding independent restaurants in our area that I like. There's a Ghurka restaurant that's has good food and a decent Italian place, but other than that, not much.  

Local: Café Maitreya (Easton, Bristol) Really amazing. Totally veggie/organic. A special treat we reserve for birthdays and celebrations. They have a website

Cassalingo in Brighton is my absolute favourite independent restaurant, just perfect authentic neighbourhood italian. It actually has put me off visiting other italian restaurants.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/aug/15/travelfoodanddrink.foodanddrink.restaurants

Favourite Chain - Byron. Skinny burger with courgette fries and a diet coke, is my not that cheaty, low carb treat meal and it's absolutely delish! 

oh, my other favorite chain: Pret a Manger! They have the greatest veggie wrap I have ever had. Best combo of tastes and textures. I ate there every day when I worked at Hamleys!

Local - we have a wonderful Chinese takeaway: Happy Choice...their King Prawn Chop Suey is excellent!

Chain - I just found a new fave - LaTasca, spanish Tapas and quite tasty.

Local: Mustard Seed (I believe they actually call it Scottish! )-  can't beat the early meal deal with a starter, main, plate of steamed veg on the side, and a glass of wine/stella/soft drink, usually around £10-£12, very good food (locally grown/raised)- and a nice atmosphere.  Its also almost impossible to get into on a weekend for that reason.  

Chain- trying to think of something... the only thing I can think of is Pizza Express

Local: Bel and Dragon, really great food!!!

Chain: Pizza Express, always a great meal

Hmmm.... I haven't been out very often since I've lived here, to be honest.

Indy: The Treehouse at Alnwick is amazing. Blackmore's of Alnwick is also very good. To be honest, those are probably the only two restaurants I have been to around here!  I should get out more. It's just so expensive!

Chain: I went to Pizza Express once in London and enjoyed it, but have no idea where one is around here. Ate at Wagamama once and liked it, though I thought it was a bit pricey for the portion size. I mean, I didn't expect a giant meal like at a chain restaurant in the US or anything, but I got a vegetable curry thing that had only two slices of butternut squash and two slices of eggplant (they weren't giant slices, either, that might have made all the difference - they were about the size of my palm and fairly thin).  Anyway, it was still very tasty.