The epicentre of London theatrical dining – the Ivy, opposite the New Ambassadors and St Martin’s Theatres on West Street (it’s easy to spot; it’s the one with paparazzi stationed outside all day) – has been knocked into second place for the first time in nine years in an annual survey of London’s favourite eateries.
But the Ivy did come out near the top of another two lists: it was named second in the most disappoint restaurant stakes, and fifth in the most overpriced ratings, of the annually published Harden’s London Restaurant Guide, that collates the opinions of some 8,000 correspondents.
So is the Ivy losing its lustre? Or is this yet another classic example of the British tendency to build things up only to relish knocking them down again?
But I can’t see the winner of the favourite restaurants list, Chez Bruce in Wandsworth, attracting the first night set just yet. It’s not nearly as convenient for post-show dining, unless you’re on your way back from Wimbledon Theatre, perhaps.
Other popular restaurants with the theatrical set, such as The Wolseley on Piccadilly, moved up five places from 8th to 3rd, while J Sheekey’s and Le Caprice dropped one place each to 4th and 5th position respectively.
