itsu - Neal Street - (Near Westminster, london)

Vinicius Santos A Well-Executed Pre-Theatre Experience at Cora Pearl The décor is relaxed and intimate, complemented by soft background music that creates a warm, understated atmosphere. Expectations were high, especially as Cora Pearl has been ranked by the Michelin Guide as the best pre-theatre dining spot in London. We visited as a family of four and arrived about ten minutes before our pre-theatre reservation; our table was already ready, which was a great start. My parents both chose the three-course pre-theatre menu: potatoes with cod roe to start, pork steak for the main, and the After Eight crémeux for dessert. I had the butternut squash with coconut cream as a starter—the cream was thicker than I expected, but still very rich and delicious—followed by the wild sea bass with Jerusalem artichoke velouté, salsify, and bergamot. Overall, the food was excellent: well executed, well balanced, and thoughtfully put together. We shared a bottle of Riesling and I ordered the Cheeky Peach cocktail, as the restaurant is known for its cocktails. Both were enjoyable, though not particularly memorable. The Parmesan fries, however, were outstanding and easily a highlight of the meal. The staff were attentive and friendly throughout, although service did slow down a little during busier moments. That said, it didn’t detract significantly from an otherwise very enjoyable pre-theatre experience.

Adrian Earp It was our first visit to Wahaca (Covent Garden), I had pre-booked as wasn’t sure how busy the restaurant got, although our booking was early 5pm, but it was a Friday evening in London! We were seated quickly and introduced to our server Paulina who was very knowledgeable and explained the menu in length. Drinks ordered and delivered quickly, Paulina then took our order; House Nachos were ordered to share, then 2 x Pibil Burrito and Slow-Cooked Beef Burrito, Buttermilk Chicken Taco, Pork Pibil Taco & Grilled Ajillo Chicken Club Quesadilla. The food was served as it was ready and it was fantastic or banging as our teenage boys say!

Sam Scalabrini Lucia was our server and she was great! Everything was delicious. We were stuffed by the end of our tea experience. I especially loved the scones and cakes!! The food was well worth the price.

Sarah Oren Brasky Puchita was a lovely help after a long touristy morning, when I needed a reprieve for my hungry cranky kid. We left happy, satiated, and relaxed. I had the vegetarian Med Toast— delicious! Kids menu fish n chips was just right, too. Great little quiet find!!

Christopher Villegas If you enjoy eclectic, odd, unconventional places in London, this checks all the boxes. Starting from the street, you can already tell this place is going to be special. When you open the door, your first reaction should be WOW! It reminds me of being on stage and backstage all at once. If there is room in one of the box seat tables, ask for them as you get a fantastic vantage point of the entire restaurant. The food is delicious and does follow the Mediterranean inspired menu. Some of the items are large enough to enjoy on their own without having to do the preset course. The bathrooms have explicit and sexual visuals so if you’re bringing kids, be ready to do some explaining. There are usually live performances daily and typically in the evening hours. Plan accordingly. They also cater to large parties so depending on time/date, they might be completely booked. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful when it came to ordering items off the drink and food menu. There is a tribute area to Richard, who seemed to be the spirit of the restaurant. If you have some time, be sure to look at the tribute area near the entrance.

Bobby Valentine An exceptional New Year’s Day dinner at Rules. The food was outstanding from start to finish — classic British dishes done perfectly and full of flavor. Every course felt thoughtful and true to the restaurant’s long history, and I genuinely loved my meal. A special mention to Katerina, our waitress, who was warm, attentive, and professional without ever being intrusive. Her service really elevated the entire experience and made the evening feel relaxed and special. Rules continues to be one of those rare places that delivers on history, atmosphere, and quality every single time. We’ll absolutely be back.