Le Garrick

Le Garrick bar and restaurant is right in the heart of London's theatreland, Covent Garden. From the outside the place looks tiny, but once you are in and down the spiral stairway, the warm and hospitable restaurant seems miraculously to grow in size. Whether you choose the ground floor bar, which has huge windows, or the intimate, candlelit alcoves downstairs, you can enjoy the French menu and a slice of history, while you linger over your drink.

Garrick Street was a thoroughfare to Covent Garden Market in the 1860s and went on to become, first a warehouse for storing fruits, then a workers' café before taking on its current garb of a stylish French bistro style restaurant and bar. It has enjoyed popularity with theatre goers and has played host to numerous West End stars.

Most of the dishes on the menu are homemade, and the French chefs take pride in creating culinary masterpieces, using the best ingredients - often organic or free trade products. The meats are sourced from the best Scottish farmers and seafood from Dorset. Le Garrick offers wines by the glass, carafe or bottle and also has beer and spirits to add charm to your meal.

If you are used to restaurants that have mile long menus, you could be somewhat disappointed with the limited choice at Le Garrick, but the taste and presentation more than compensate for that. Although not huge, the menu offers carefully selected dishes, which include the day's specials. Expect to find mussels with shallots and a touch of cream or try an assortment of the choicest cold meats from France and homemade pâté served with picked gherkin cucumbers. Another simple dish cooked to perfection is the fourteen ounce chargrilled, twenty eight day hung rib-eye steak, on the bone, with fries and the chef's pepper and cognac sauce.

After a tasty repast, it is only appropriate to indulge your sweet tooth with the delectable petit pot au chocolat, a sinfully rich mousse that melts in the mouth or opt for the classics - crème brûlée or banoffee pie. There is also a cheese platter to help you finish your meal with élan.

So the next time you are visiting the theatre, or are in the mood for French food, do stop by at Le Garrick for a truly enjoyable meal and French hospitality.