Harden's survey result
Summary
“I know it’s not the celeb haunt it used to be and is now a bit touristy, but they still make you feel like a king” is still a widely held view on this epic “Theatreland classic” (the original in what’s an increasingly sizeable national chain); and for its many fans a visit here is still a “warm, life-affirming experience”. However, it feels to some regulars like the appeal is becoming “all about the room” and its “glamorous” decor, amidst growing unease that Richard Caring’s group is just “milking it” nowadays – ratings slid across the board this year, and its comfort food cuisine “is as it always was, nothing special… just now even more expensive!”.
Summary
“When you step through the doors, it’s reassuring to know you’ll be well-fed and treated like a king” at Richard Caring’s “sophisticated” Theatreland legend, whose revamp a year ago stemmed years of decline, and where “so long as you don’t expect to be challenged by the grown-up comfort food, the old favourite dishes don’t disappoint”. True, the celeb crowd primarily frequent the neighbouring Ivy Club nowadays, and true, it’s no longer in the survey’s Top 40 Most Mentioned restaurants, and true, this is now the flagship for a fast-expanding chain of spin-offs, so it’s no surprise a few reporters now dismiss it as “just a chain restaurant for out-of-towners”, but actually catty comments are most notable by their absence.
Summary
“A lesson in how to improve a legend!” – Richard Caring’s “perked up” Theatreland star has staged an impressive return to form since last year’s revamp: “the old menu classics – bang bang chicken, shepherd’s pie, etc have been spruced up” (they needed to be!), service is “discreet and professional” and – “even without the buzz of all the c’lebs who are now upstairs in the adjoining club” – its vibe, romance and glamour have rediscovered their mojo. That said, there is a large band of refuseniks for whom it has “lost its verve and originality” – it doesn’t help that with spin-offs sprouting all over town it can now “feel like a high-end franchise” rather than the unique destination of yesteryear.
Summary
Richard Caring’s famous Theatreland idol – now the original of a fast expanding brand – emerged from a massive overhaul too late to be rated (just before the survey closed). Too often a let down in recent years, a handful of first-days reports say its “beautiful refurb” is “superb in every detail” – “wow, wow, wow!”
Restaurant details
1-5 West St, London, WC2H 9NQ
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Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm-11:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm-10:30 pm |
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