Rupert's review of The Ivy

I took a friend here this week – he'd never been and had a few pre-conceptions “its very expensive, with flashy food and its so posh”. How wonderful it was to change his mind on this.

We turned up without a booking at 8pm on a Wednesday night, we were seated within 5minutes! Lucky to get in between the pre and post theatre crowds no doubt.

The menu is wonderfully simple – every comfort food you can imagine plus a few more refined options. Where else can you start with a tuna sashimi followed by a chicken curry!? Everything on the menu is so appealing. It is not a culinary experience, but more of a whole package experience – good food and a great atmosphere, with some celebrity spotting if that is your thing.

The bill was very reasonable: 2 aperitifs, 1 bottle wine, 1 half pudding wine and 3 courses for 2 was easily under £200.

A fun place for dinner, though don't go expecting to be knocked over by complicated pretentious food (there are plenty of places to do that in London) – more a place to sit back and enjoy a fun meal!