nonni97

My husband and I plan to see Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre and would appreciate your suggestions for a pre-theatre restaurant nearby.

janisj

The theatre is walking distance to all of Soho, all of Chinatown and all of Covent Garden. Plus around Leicester Sq and, depending on the night of the week, the restaurants in the National and National Portrait Galleries. Plus the crypt under St Martin's in the Field. There are quite literally hundreds of restaurants w/i a reasonable walk. And many of them do special pre-theatre set dinners. There is everything from very posh/high end to dirt cheap.

What is your budget and what sorts of food do you want?

avalon

As janisj points out there are literally hundreds of restaurants within walking distance.

You might try looking at this website

http://www.toptable.com/en-gb/location/content/?l=1

for really good reasonable dining . Lots of 50% off offers or special menus available

nonni97

Avalon: Thanks for that very helpful website.
Janis: Our first trip to London and we are open to local fare. We also like Italian. Actually most anything if it is not too hot/spicy. We are not looking for dirt cheap, but something mid-range reasonable for pre-theatre dining. this will be a Tuesday evening dinner. Thanks for trying to help us with some favorites spots. We just want good food and service.

janisj

Sorry - but what do you consider "<i>mid-range reasonable</i>"

Mid range to one person is very high end to another. That's why I asked your budget. How much do you want to spend?

nonni97

In USD $20 to $40 pp
Lower than $40 would be better, but having never been to London I do not have a feel for the food prices.

lennyba

We had a good meal at this place in March: http://www.corkandbottle.net/. It's off Leicester Sq a street or two. It was quite reasonable, about 35 GBP for the both of us IIRC (without drinks).

janisj

OK - $20 (£12) is low end and $40 (£24) is sort of moderate mid/low-ish. But then it would be in major cities in the States too.

If you mean that to include a drink or glass of wine, then $20 would be pretty much impossible.

Maybe Clos Maggiore between the theatre and Covent Garden. Less than a 10 minute walk from the Phoenix. For £19.50 they do a 3 course set dinner, or a 2 course set dinner w/ a half bottle of wine. Some of the desserts (if you do the 3 course version) will add £4 or £5 extra.

They also do a post-theatre menu 2 courses + glass of champagne for £24.50

Ala carte would be higher.

http://www.closmaggiore.com/v1/default.aspx

Or - just walk through Chinatown, read the menus out front and pick one that appeals to you

stokebailey

The British chain Brown's just up the hill from St.Martins-in-the-Fields makes a nice pretheater dinner.
Prix fixe:
Two courses for £12.95 or £14.95

http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/...ventgarden.php

janisj

ooh - I forgot about Browns! That would be a great option. Still in the $30-$35 pp range by the time you add a glass of wine and service, but good/reliable food.

carolyn

Brown's Sticky Toffee Pudding is a highlight of my trips to London.

nonni97

After looking at websites/menus suggested here, I think Browns will be our choice for pre theatre dining. The other suggestions I hope to try before we leave London. In New York City we ate at Joe Allen Restaurant prior to the theatre and It was very good. I noticed that there is a Joe Allen location in London also. Anyone have an opinion about that restaurant?
We are sooo looking forward to this trip and appreciate your suggestions.

stokebailey

Brown's sticky toffee pudding is rich enough for two to share.