Lasdun Restaurant - South Bank - (Near Southwark, london)

5 /5 Helga Leith: Darling! Pre-curtain at the Lasdun Well, naturally one must dine before the theatre. And where else but Denys Lasdun’s brutalist temple on the South Bank, that concrete cathedral where culture and cuisine perform their nightly pas de deux? The setting: communal tables groaning under the weight of middle-class aspiration and excellent stemware. The lighting: that particular golden hour glow that makes everyone look like they’ve just closed a three-picture deal. The company: decidedly of a certain age, which is to say, people who remember when the National was still called the National. Enter Jordanne, our server, stage left. A complimentary vodka martini materialized like Banquo’s ghost - crisp, cold, necessary. One simply cannot face Synge without gin. Or vodka. The distinction becomes academic after the first sip. Then the Veuve Clicquot. Brut. Obviously brut. We’re not animals. But the star turn belonged to the Dover sole - a whole fish, darling, none of this filleted nonsense - glistening like Gielgud under the lights, adorned with brown shrimp like so many tiny character actors supporting the lead. The seaweed butter provided umami depths that would make Stanislavski weep. Accompanied by creamed spinach so verdant, so unctuous, it deserved its own curtain call. The sole itself? Perfectly timed, like Judi Dench’s delivery. Flaking at the merest suggestion of the fork, sweet flesh that sang of Dover, of grey seas, of everything English and eternal. And then: interval. Time for Playboy. Time for Christy Mahon’s lies and Ireland’s truth. But first: this perfect fish, this perfect moment, this perfect London evening. ★★★★★

5 /5 Kar: I really enjoyed this restaurant. The selection of dishes was original, and the flavors were wonderful, especially the squid and the fish. The bread was delicious. The service was excellent, and they paid special attention to allergies. The cocktails were also very good. The atmosphere was nice, and so was the music.

5 /5 Matthew de Monte: An enjoyable early evening dinner at Lasdun at the National Theatre. Some fantastic modern British food, great produce, well cooked. Loved the chicken and mushroom pie. Service was friendly and informative. The brutalist dining room was super cool too. So well lit. Three courses for £38. Bargain.

5 /5 Lisa H: I loved this gorgeous restaurant. I was in a party of 5 and we all chose the fixed price pre theatre menu and it was brilliant with some really tasty options to choose from. The service was friendly and impeccable and this is a really beautiful place to eat. The decor is really well thought out and its goes so well with the brutalist space. I was in a party of 5 and we all had a fantastic night. This is a great restaurant for any occasion not just a pre / post theatre visit.

5 /5 karen Peck: So many thanks go to everyone at Lasdun Restaurant - what an amazing Birthday dinner for 40 friends and family on 14th February. The food and wines were so delicious - in fact we are still salivating (that Signature pie will live on in all our memories!) a big thank you to the Chefs and kitchen staff. It was such fun to choose the wines too and this brings me to Laura and the entire front of house staff - the service was just outstanding. It is the ultimate in modern British food with the most warm and welcoming atmosphere. A massive thank you to everyone at Lasdun - you made my birthday and our Valentine anniversary so special.