help for my tip to london with teenaged baby sitter

[cod]

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

There is other grub on the trays that's yum even if you're not into the raw fish deal. Worth a nose.

Message withdrawn

I was just going to suggest Covent Garden too, and King's Road is a great idea. There's a Carluccio's just near Bond St tube and another one North Oxford St I think. How about the ice cream parlour at Harrod's, or Haagen Daz in Leicester Sq if you want to go downmarket?

(you're quite nice really, aren't you?)

There also was (presumably still there) a Yo Sushi on Poland Street (south of Oxford St).

there's also a very reasonable american style burger/ribs/chicken place called Bodean's on Poland Street (fairly close to Oxford Circus). Fantastic food, reasonable place and seen as trendy (loads of screens with american football and the like!).

The department stores are definitely more exciting though.

Cod - word of advice for you....if you take her to the Zara shop (intersection of Bond Street), be sure you wander upstairs to look at the children's department. The girls clothes are fantastic, and well priced....and I assume it would be the same for the boy's clothes. As you said previously - no skulls!

Also, though the image of the store isn't brilliant at the moment, it's worth spending some time at the Marks & Spencer Marble Arch. It's huge and got the best of what the store has to offer.

If your budget isn't crazy tight, might be worth the splurge of a taxi ride to Sloane Square if you decide to venture down the King's Road.

I haven't been there for ages but what about High St Kensington? I would have thought that would be girly heaven. There used to be that wacky designer place with loads of little stalls in it, but a) I can't remember the name and b) it almost certainly isn't there any more.

At 16 on a first visit I think Oxford Street is just about right, and its only a short tube ride from Waterloo on the Bakerloo line straight to Oxford Circus. There is a Strada restuarant near there somewhere - or one just off Regents Street - if you fancy Italian for lunch.

Definitely worth a wander down St. Christopher's Place (little tiny alleyway just off Oxford Street that is pedestrian and eventually connects to Wigmore Street) as it has several sidewalk cafe's (including a Carluccio's Cafe) and might be a welcome calm oasis away from manic Oxford Street. There's also a Whistles down there.

Another good food suggestion is Wagamama, and there's two close to Oxford Street. One on Wigmore Street (close to Selfridges), and one on Lexington Street.

ooh carluccio's - gorgeous grub

And if you go to the Wagamama Lexington Street, you can wander down Carnaby Street en route.

Top Shop and Miss Selfridge, what about New Look?
Don't larf, those sightseeing double deckers with no roof are REALLY good, a bit pricey but you see everything and you can get on and off when ever you want. I always thought they were naff but had to do whistle-stop tour with visitor and thought it was BRILL! Second Wagamama for teen.

Here's one more tip for your sporty teen friend. I was on Oxford Street last week in a shoe store called Schuh. All the young girls were heading straight for the Converse Hightops which are now available in many colours. Don't know if they are the shoe of choice at the moment, but they certainly were a main attraction in that shop. Maybe an alternative to Nike style trainers? Though I agree that a trip to Nike store is essential viewing.

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

My 18 year old shopaholic sister thought she had died and gone to heaven when we took her to Camden market.

Prom dresses = debenhams.

Oooh and Topshop on Oxford Street. Orgasm worthy.

Message withdrawn

No from up north. Used to galavant there in my au-pair days.

Pure Londoner here - Straight up to Oxford Circus. Top Shop, Zara, various shoe shops....walk along to Selfridges (if you really have to (not sure what that adds for 16 year old). Walking back, pop into St Christophers Place for lunch (on upper side of OS - between OC and Selfridges). Once past Oxford Circus on your way back, turn right and wiggle down through Soho (for the experience), Chinatown and then cross Charing Cross Road and into Covent Garden. More shops, cafe for coffee etc.

When finished, walk down onto Strand and take a bus going East to Waterloo.......

Make sure she doesn't wear heels........

Message withdrawn

Message withdrawn

Ta!