Do you have any suggestions, in the theatre area, for pub type dining prior to the theatre time in London? <BR> <BR> <BR>

In and around the theatre district (Covent Garden, Aldwych) there are many pubs. There are also good, cheap (by London standards) restaurants like Buona Sera on Drury Lane, Cafe Sofra, Cafe Rouge and Pizza Express. The last three are chain restaurants. You could also try the pre-theatre menus at some of the swisher places like Cafe du Jardin, which offer two courses without a drink for £9.50. It is good food and has good service. I M O, pub food is O K for the daytime, but its quality can vary widely. Spend a few more quid and get a proper meal. Look at Time Out Cheap Eats (try to find a site on the web) for good suggestions.

Fodors <BR> <BR> <BR>I'm afraid pub meals in the West End are poor, as Mr Doran says. So pre-theatre meals at those prices are best saught at the Cafe Sofra on Regent Street near Piccadilly Circus, or in Shepherds Market an area 400 yards north of Green Park tube station that has a dozen or so other restaurants, many at reasonable prices -- thoughy not pub prices. Then just south of Shaftesbury Avenue, reached from Piccadilly Circus tube station, is our Chinatown, with a whole range of prices. <BR> <BR>The nearest good pub supper is at the Albert, on Victoria Street,the corner of Buckingham Gate Road, nearest tube St James Park. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Welcome to London. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines <BR> <BR> <BR>

My heartfelt Thanks to Nigel and , the always available and most helpful, Ben Haines. <BR> <BR>Your input is most helpful.

one more hint: <BR> mention to your server that you are going to the theatre - I have found that by doing so, I get my bill soon after the food is delivered, and I don't have to wait for them to come - bring the check - and take the money. just the 'take the money' part

Try this site for special pre and post theatre specials: http://www.coventgardenlife.co.uk <BR> <BR>I hear from a lot of Londoners that the Browns restaurants are good. They have restaurants dotted around the country. The site is - http://www.browns-restaurants.com <BR> <BR>Karen

St James Tavern, just north of Picadilly Circus, a pub, has very good food day and night. Try it.

Rules, a favorite restaurant with my whole family, offers a very reasonable 2 or 3 course pre-dinner deal.

You might be interested in a pre-theatre meal at Belgo Centraal (Earlham Street in the theatre area). It is a casual Belgian restaurant that is primarily known for its mussels and frites with a huge selection of Belgian beers. If you dine between 5 and 6pm, the price of your meal is the same as the time your order is taken (for example, your meal at 5:30pm will be only 5 1/2 pounds! This special price applies to 3 or 4 set dinner menus, but its a fun place to dine before the theatre.

Kandy, <BR>We had a great dinner at J. Sharkey's (same owners as The Ivy) sitting at the bar. You could order a full meal or not. <BR>This is not pub food by a long shot; flat out excellent cuisine. Depending on what you order it can be expensive ( we had appetizers, main course and a couple of glasses of wine and it was about $100). <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>