Eileen's Top 5 Light Meals near Big Ben | 雅琳推薦：大笨鐘附近五家優質小吃店
Generally speaking, there are two types of people who get off at Westminster Underground Station: civil servants, and tourists.
With a high concentration of ministries (Parliament, No. 10 Downing Street, the Foreign Office and HMRC) and famous landmarks (Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms and Horseguards Parade), it's no wonder that this part of Westminster is one of the most congested spots in all of London.
在倫敦西敏地鐵站下車的乘客大致有兩類：不是公務員就是遊客。這個地區是政府機構的大本營，國會大廈，首相官邸唐寧街十號，外交部與稅務局離地鐵站都只有一步之遙。
長久以來它也是倫敦的藝文重地，英國最有名的地標 - 如大笨鐘和西敏寺 - 還有熱門的邱吉爾博物館，皇家騎士軍隊閱兵場，聖詹姆士皇家公園和白金漢宮等等，也都位於此地，難怪這兒是城市最擁擠的區域之一。
One would naturally assume that an area with such heavy foot traffic would be blessed with an enviable selection of gastronomical delights. But in reality, what you will find is an uninspiring range of chain coffee shops, pubs and a few high-end restaurants more suitable for business lunch than a quick bite on the go.
平時只要有人潮的地方，美食佳餚一定隨之而來，所以照理來說西敏地鐵站附近該是有無數的好餐廳，只可惜事實不是如此。這個熱門觀光區的餐飲種類貧乏，放眼看去，大多是不會讓人食指大動的連鎖店：如咖啡廳，三明治小吃，酒吧或是超市。當然也可以去較高檔餐廳的享用商業套餐，這就是個花錢又花時間的選擇了。
I live in this neighborhood, so I know the hidden gems that are only minutes away from popular sights which the tourists never seem to notice. Whenever I go out to pick up a takeaway meal, I often get asked by hungry, frustrated and exhausted visitors where I get my food from, all anxiously searching for somewhere with decent food that won't deplete their budget.
So, in hopes of making Westminster a more inviting destination for visitors, I'm listing my personal Top 5 Picks for Light Meals in its vicinity -- all within 10-15 minutes of walk from Westminster tube station towards Victoria and St James's Park, where good food, good service and a chilled out atmosphere are guaranteed, so you can refuel and recover from a long day of sightseeing.
Here's to a pleasant dining experience in the shadow of Big Ben!
我住在西敏地鐵站附近，所以我和當地居民都知道這一區好吃的東西並不少，許多離景點也不遠，只是遊客通常忙著照相，找路，所以很少注意到這些藏在羊腸小徑角落裡的獨立餐飲店。
常常在路上會碰到飢餓疲憊的旅客，指著我手裡提著的外帶餐飲，問我哪裡可以買到價格合理又美味的輕食。用了Google地圖和一堆肢體語言後，也不能確定他們能不能找到我所介紹的地點。
網上關於 Westminster 附近可靠的餐飲消息真的不多，所以在此向大家推薦我個人最喜歡的五家輕食餐廳，全都離西敏地鐵站步行10-15分鐘內，往 Victoria 與 St. James's Park 方向走。這幾家餐廳的食物美味，服務親切，氣氛悠閒，所以也是小歇的好地點。
當然我最大的希望，就是旅客們以後來到這兒也可以輕鬆享受優質的餐飲經驗，而且不做冤大頭喔！
1. BLUE BOAR BAR
The Perfect Place for a Long Conversation, or a Nap
Around the corner from Westminster Abbey is this inviting restaurant/pub inside the five-star Conrad hotel. This is also where you'll find me 2 ~ 3 times a month. My first visit here was for a business lunch, then I keep returning for delicious food, nice drinks and impeccable service.
Housed in a grand 19th-century building opposite St James's Park tube station, the Blue Boar may look fancy and stuffy from the outside. But the moment you walk through the door, you'll be charmed by the friendliest staff and quaint decor inspired by the British political landscape.
The vibe here is both intimate and understatedly luxurious, with a mixed menu of healthy and comfort dishes, and oversized leather chesterfield sofas and wing back armchairs positioned next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, the perfect place to watch the world go by.
Do not miss the apple and blackberry crumble with pouring cream. It is pure indulgence and very addictive!
自西敏寺轉個彎，就可以看到我每個月光臨好幾次的溫馨酒吧 - Blue Boar（藍野豬）。
第一次來到 Conrad 五星級飯店附設的酒吧用餐，是和朋友見面吃商業午餐，之後就愛上了這裡的食物，雞尾酒，還有無可挑剔的完美服務。
這棟19世紀建築位於聖詹姆斯公園地鐵站對面，宏偉的外表可能會給人沈悶古板的錯覺。但一進門，我相信你也會深深的被笑容滿面的服務生，和英國政壇的主題裝飾所吸引著。
酒吧的氛圍低調親切，有超大的皮沙發和高背椅，許多面對著落地窗，可以在這兒舒服的耗時間，談天或發呆。
菜單提供多樣化的英國傳統美食，也有健康的沙拉和三明治。千萬不要錯過了蘋果和黑莓派，配上香濃的 pouring cream，很容易上癮的！
2. CAFE NUVO
Cheap & Cheerful Full English Breakfast and Stuffed Jacket Potatoes
Where can you get a good full English breakfast for under a fiver near Big Ben? Cafe Nuvo on Artillery Row is the answer.
At this local gem, you can get a plate of bacon, sausage, egg, baked beans, two thick slices of toast plus tea or coffee for just £3.95. That's at least £1-2 cheaper than any other cafe within a one-mile radius.
And the portion is large, like American-style large. The sausage is my favorite item in the breakfast, always perfectly cooked and never greasy.
The cafe is open from morning to late afternoon and offers a variety of reasonably priced pastries, panini, jacket potatoes, salads and desserts. It also has a lovely upstairs eat-in area to enjoy a leisurely meal.
This Cafe Nuvo is an easy 10-minute walk from Westminster Abbey and popular with both office and construction workers. Be sure not to confuse it with another sandwich shop with the same name in Covent Garden.
3. LOW, SLOW & JUKE
The Ultimate Southern Comfort... and Diet Buster
Low Slow & Juke is the newest arrival in this part of town. Opened in February, it promises to bring southern smoke BBQ and cocktails to the UK capital.
Just a two-minute walk from Westminster Abbey, this bar/restaurant is tucked away in the basement of a corner building off Victoria Street and very easy to miss. Inside you'll find a full bar, comfortable seatings and a private dining area spread over two floors.
I was thoroughly impressed with my first meal here. The slow smoked St. Louis Slab Ribs was perfectly charred, tender but not fatty, while the Black + Blue burger with blue cheese sauce was juicy and flavourful. The beer and wine recommended by the friendly staff were excellent too.
With cute decor, southern hospitality and amazing BBQ (that's way better than Bodean's for about the same price), I think we've got an all-around, finger-licking-good winner here.
Low, Slow & Juke 標榜為美式燻烤慢烤，今年二月才開業，是倫敦最新的肉食者天堂。
自西敏寺步行兩分鐘，就可以看到這家藏在小街裡的地下室餐廳，室內設計寬敞舒適，很有美式南方鄉村風味。
第一餐我們點了服務生所介紹的BBQ，漢堡與啤酒。聖路易斯碳烤豬肋好大ㄧ片，肉質焦香酥脆，嫩而不膩，而藍奶酪漢堡也是香味撲鼻，多汁美味，配上美式涼拌高麗菜，大家都吃得很開心。
若要與倫敦最有名的連鎖美式BBQ餐廳 Bodean's 相比，無論是肉質，燻烤秘方，服務品質，還是價格，我都一定會給 Low, Slow & Juke 打比較高分的。
好高興能在倫敦吃到正統的南方烤肉！
4. ICHI-RIKI SUSHI HOUSE
A Little Slice of Japan in Westminster
There's a little slice of Japan in the heart of Westminster, and it's called Ichi-Riki.
This traditional Japanese sushi house was established 15 years ago, offering an authentic taste of Japan at an affordable price.
Located 2 minutes from New Scotland Yard on a cobblestone street, this basement gem is sandwiched between a hair salon and a cafe and can be easy to miss.
The somewhat dingy stairs lead into an intimate, old-fashion space with spartan seating and a sushi bar. The menu is simple and covers the basics: sushi, tempura, gyoza, seaweed salad, green tea desserts, and of course Japanese beers and sake.
The restaurant is popular with the locals especially during lunchtime. They don't take reservation for lunch, but you can book a table for dinner or order take-away or delivery.
西敏區的中心有一家傳統的日本壽司屋，名叫 Ichi-Riki。
坐落在倫敦警察廳（New Scotland Yard）附近的一條石板街道上，緊夾在美髮沙龍和咖啡館之間，一不注意就很容易錯過這家地下室小店。
壽司屋已有十五年的歷史，室內裝潢簡單，菜單也很有日本地道風味 -- 壽司，天婦羅，餃子，涼拌海帶，綠茶甜品，當然還有日本啤酒和清酒。
5. IRIS & JUNE
Ozone Coffee Roaster Serving Undoubtedly the Best Coffee in Victoria
Coffee lovers - this one is for you.
Since Iris & June opened its door in 2014, caffeine enthusiasts have been flocking to this Antipodean cafe for the perfect Ozone coffee. Each cup is made with precision and care and the proof is in the taste.
Hailed by many as the best coffee shop in Victoria that serves good food, the lunchtime queue here can get very long.
The cafe is located on a quiet street just behind House of Fraser department store. The space is airy, comfy with a touch of industrial chic, and the free wi-fi makes it the perfect place for work, meeting, or just relaxing.
咖啡達人，看這裡。
現在要介紹的是倫敦人公認的特優咖啡館：Iris & June。
自2014年開幕以來，這家紐西蘭人經營的獨立小店吸引了無數咖啡族的忠誠。這裡咖啡的做工慢條斯理，先要磨豆，再秤重，然後加入濾杯慢慢加水沖泡多次，讓每一口咖啡都成為值得細細品嚐的藝術品。
甜點和新鮮健康的午餐也是 Iris & June 的賣點，常常可以看到個體餐飲店的腳踏車來送貨。
咖啡館坐落在 House of Fraser 百貨公司後門的一條安靜街道上，裝潢簡潔，有濃濃的極簡工業風氣氛。顧客可以免費上網，所以許多人抱著筆電來這兒工作，一坐就是一整天。