We will be attending a performance of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward theatre on Thursday, August 16th. Family of four with pretty open-minded eaters.

Any suggestions for a place to eat a pre-theatre dinner? Don't want to break the bank but would like the dinner to add to the special evening.

And what time do you suggest going to dinner to make a 7:30 show? 5:30?

Thanks in advance!

Patisserie Valerie's always good in my experience. Should be something for everyone there.

Yopu're smack bang in the middle of Sho, with Chinatown a few minutes away.

However 5.30 is too early to expect a proper restaurant to be open.

What sort of thing are you looking for? Budget?

Cafe Amato is very near from the theatre, just on the same street. I was there last week, gorgeous cakes , good italian coffee and they also have pasta dishes. I want to go back next time I visit London, really, and it's not very expensive for London prices

Mon Plaisir (http://www.monplaisir.co.uk/), which is just a few minutes' walk from your theatre (on the other side of Charing Cross Road) serves a fixed-price pre-theatre dinner, starting at 5:45. The food is basically French bistro food – not the greatest culinary experience you'll ever have, but good, and a good value if you order from the pre-theatre menu.

Most of the people who eat there at that hour are going to the theatre, and the restaurant is very good at making sure that people get out in time for their curtains.

You'll need a reservation.

I don't think the idea of a pastry shop that happens to serve light food as well is at all what the poster had in mind for "adding to the special evening". And since when aren't "proper" restaurants in the theatre district NOT open for pre theatre dining by 5:30?

Mon Plasir is a great idea and very close. Of course if you want "special", THE place to have pretheatre dinner is The Ivy, which is also very close. If you call now, you might be able to get a reservation for October! www.the-ivy.co.uk
The Ivy will be more expensive than Mon Plasir which has some excellent pretheatre menu specials, but not outrageous.

NeoPatrick..it was just a suggestion because I had a very special evening there. Or have I to think that "special" means luxury? Maybe it is a nuance of English I don't understand right.

Do proper restaurants (not caffs) actually open at 5.30? This is a serious question.

I was really referring more to the Valerie suggestion than the Cafe Amato one, but I think the same thing sort of applies to Cafe Amato. Pastries and even breakfast are wonderful at Valerie, but to suggest it for a DINNER to add to a special evening of theatre? I think both of those suggestions would be GREAT for completing the evening with a dessert and drink or coffee AFTER the show, however.

I am open to all suggestions and am grateful for them. Cafe Amato sounds like a spot sure to appeal to the children but I would also encourage other responses. Usually I would say that our budget is open...except I realize that in London that could mean sky high. So would $50 to $60 per person (including wine for the parents) seem like a good start.

And we do like Chinese but would love a specific recommendation if you have one.

Thanks!

Have you looked at the menus for The Ivy and for Mon Plasir online? That is the best way to determine if the prices and the selection fit what you want.

I did look at the menus for Mon Plaisir and then checked out J Sheekey (someone on another board had suggested it). Have made a 5:30 reservation there and are looking forward to it.

Many thanks to all!

J Sheekey is great -- a sister restaurant to The Ivy, but featuring fish -- good selection.

Neopatrick, I suggested Patisserie Valerie because it IS light meals which is what I personally prefer at 5:30 PM and because they have a nice selection. If you don't, fine.

In May I ate at Piccolo Diavolo before seeing Mary Poppins. It is a couple doors from the theatre at 8 Old Compton St. It is an Italian restaurant and I had a delicious meal of Pasta Bolognese, bread, salad, an appetizer (can't remember what) bottled water, glass of wine (or 2?) and dessert and it was about $50.
www.biagio.co.uk

sorry, not to make an issue, but it wasn't about what I like, nor about what you like. I might love Indian food, but if someone asks for a great French meal, I wouldn't suggest Indian just because I happen to prefer it. I wouldn't normally interpret someone talking about making a special evening and having a "special dinner" before the show as looking for a simple light meal at a Patisserie, no matter how wonderful their pastries are. But I'll repeat -- Valerie might be a wonderful stop after the show for a dessert to cap off a special evening -- if it's still open then.