If you're looking for a quick lunch in London, be sure to check out a Wagamama restaurant. It's a Japanese-style noodle house that gives a dose of authentic cuisine in a memorable format. Everyone is seated on long benches at tables and served quickly and efficiently. The service is a combination of high tech and practical - servers have handhelds into which they input orders but mark down what you've ordered on your place mat for the person who actually brings the food. The food itself is really tasty and a pretty diverse menu - plenty of authentic Japanese fare beyond the generic tempura and sushi offerings in most stores. There's noodles and curry, as genuine as if they were off the street in Tokyo.

Check out all the locations and details at www.wagamama.com. And be sure to buy a t-shirt - I didn't and regret it since they are pretty cool. Only about 12 pounds if I remember correctly...