Joe Allen is an American restaurant that has branches all over the world. They also have a range of entertainment including live pianists and Jazz music. This restaurant is situated near several theatres and is an ideal place to grab a quick pre-theatre bite to eat.
In the 1980s, that golden decade for London, three restaurants vyed to attract the super-cool: Coconut Grove, Peppermint Park and Joe Allen. Only the latter has survived and what a great place it is in its cozy Covent Garden basement. The service is very professional, the menu excellent and unchanging and, by London standards, not outrageously expensive either. It is on the Magellan half dozen favourite casual lunching places in central London. Offering probably the tastiest burger in London, this is the place to go for casual dining. Other restaurants come and go: but Joe Allen is a constant. On this occasion, I was the guest of a top city lawyer, a discerning diner, who agreed with my conclusion that this is the best American food in London; but why oh why did Joe Allen ditch the wonderful red gingham table clothes for Paris-style white?
Apart from allocating a 2 hour time slot in between the pre and post theatre goers menus on a Saturday night, we had a nice meal (slightly overpriced), great service, nice atmosphere, would go again, but something (not much) stops me raving about this place the way I feel I should.
I used to go to Orsos and Jo Allens for lunch in Covent Garden. Then the service got so rude at Orsos that I stopped going there. So now it is Jo Allen and, when I am feeling flush, Christophers. Jo Allens is in a dimly lit basement. But it has a lively buzz and the service is always impeccable - not especially friendly but quite correct and fast too. And the food is fun. Lots of choices. The black bean soup has been a top offering for years.I usually have the burger, one of the best in London, with fries, bacon and cheese. My luncheon partner had an anchovy salad followed by fish. He may be dieting after too many heavy city lunches. But he expressed satisfaction with his choices. The prices are affordable and it is good value for central London. The clientele is a good mix of regulars, office workers, the odd tourist and out of towners doing their shopping.
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(5/5 found this review helpful)
