Joe Allen

Despite being located in the heart of Covent Garden's Theatreland, Joe Allens is not somewhere that you are going to happen upon accidentally. Marked from the exterior by only a small understated sign and New York style door umbrella you wonder what you are descending into as you walk down the rather gloomy stairs towards the inner door. JA is the sister restaurant of the same named New York restaurant and is something of a blueprint of the American outpost. I‘m reliably informed that when the London outpost opened in the 1970s a New York Style bar and restaurant was a novel addition to London, alas that is no longer the case and, in terms of decor、JA looks tired.

Posters from theatre shows of eons past plaster the walls and many of the restaurants patrons are likely to have trodden the boards in years gone by. Over the last decade I don't think that I have ever been in Joe Allens and NOT seen someone that I recognise from the television or stage. That said it is far from being a pretentious, starry s'leb type of venue.

Many other reviews of Joe Allens don't view the food terribly favourably, I tend to agree. If you are all about the food experience and want novel, inventive dishes cooked well at a good price then turn around and walk away as this is not for you. If you want an atmospheric post-theatre fill you up with good company and good wine then stay right where you are. I'd like to be able to report a more diverse selection of dishes from my most recent foray into the Joe Allens menu but alas I cannot because why would you order anything else when you can eat one of their burgers? A, E and I (missing only ‘O’ and'U') all ordered variations on a theme of burger, cooked medium or done through with either cheese, bacon, none or both. My burger was pretty rare, thick and juicy and of a level of greasiness where it is safest to keep a napkin fairly close to hand throughout. Served with raw red onion rings, plenty of gherkin and a sweet sweet bun, for me its how a burger should be, bun, for me its how a burger should be.

Looking around it is clear that the “secret, off menu burger” at Joe Allens is definitely not secret (in fact they now seem to mention it on their website whilst still referring to it as “secret” hmmmmm). I reckon that around 40% of the orders on tables surrounding mine involved burger.

I'm not a big fan of the super crunchy fries that seem to attract adulation at the moment in cyberspace so the salty skin on fries with a big pot of mayonnaise worked well for me.

All washed down with a perfectly drinkable bottle of Siglo Rioja. Very satisfying indeed. The cocktail list is pretty extensive. Personally no visit to JA can be complete without a “Geronimo”, something you definitely need to cry if you even think about ordering more than one. Served in a chilled wine glass, the Geronimo is a mix of vodka, wine glass, the geronimo is a mix of vodka, frangelico and creme de cacao and is a sweet blast of hazelnutty deliciousness, searing your mouth with alcohol and warming the very cockles of your being. Yes, I like it that much.

It would be a crime to write any post on Joe Allens without mentioning the legend that is Jimmy the pianist. His knowledge of the London theatre scene is virtually unrivalled and he loves any morsel of theatre gossip that you may have. Having now tinkled the ivories at Joe Allen's for several decades he counts many friends amongst the restaurant's clientele and his playing is often punctuated by long pauses to chat to any passing actor or actress. Bearing a twinkle in his eye and a viciously sharp sense of humour, no visit would be complete without him.

To sum up, its no gastronomic paradise, but JA delivers exactly what you sometimes need. A late night greasy burger, some good drinks, a friendly face and a tinkling piano in the corner. To utterly misquote the film line that never was; “play it again Jimmy” and whilst you keep on playing I will keep coming.

Various visits, most recent Jan 2012

Whilst not a regular customer over the years I have been to Joe Allen many times and previously enjoyed the experience. My most recent visit will be my last. I had actually switched the venue for a post Christmas staff celebration as I thought it would be better than a previous selection, this was a mistake.
Obviously the restaurant is something of a tourist trap and the prices reflect it. I can immediately think of several restaurants within five minutes walk that offer the same sort of menu at much better value. I suspect the site rules prohibit me from mentioning them but I would seriously suggest researching better alternatives.
We had theatre tickets and made this clear from outset, despite this we had to wait for ages to order and some of the drinks never arrived, although they seem to find their way onto the bill. The food is actually excellent but sadly the whole place is let down by the awful waiting staff.
They tried to clear the starters was one of our party was still eating and equally failed to remove my starter plate before my main course arrived, when I offered to swap plate with the waiter for the new course the attempt the irony was clearly lost on this miserable individual.
The final insult was when after a really sloppy performance the service charge was applied twice. For the first time in my life I was planning to refuse to pay the service in a restaurant, when I found it had been doubled I was speechless. It is a great shame that a once excellent establishment is clearly on the way out.

Although it has been tucked away on Exeter Street more years than I care to remember it is not often that Joe Allen fails to hit the spot. They were probably one of earlier pioneers of ‘table turning’ but they usually do it with such finesse that one doesn't feel annoyed. They also go to great lengths on making the booking to be sure you understand how long you have the table for.

Sunday bruch/lunch is always fun and extremely good value. The regular changes to the menu avoid becoming over familiar with it as there is always something new to discover. The old faithfuls like the Caesar Salad, Eggs Benedict and the, never advertised, burgers are extremely good. the french fries are wonderful and one should enjoy them with the homemade tomato relish.

The pre and post theatre menu works really well if yuo are on a budget. For people who like to watch other people there is usually someone in there who you might recognise.

In a city like London a restaurant cannot survive in the way Joe Allen does, without having that certain something. Most times it is a very good meal, well served and accompanied by an interesting wine list.