The Datebook datebook_winter_spring2019_digital_ARTWORK | Page 19

By Jonathan Byrne
Celebrating My Birthday
at Joe Allen, est 1965!
classics: Crispy Fried Squid,
Caesar Salad, Lobster Bisque
and of course Truffle Mac n
Cheese for starters. My main of
flat iron chicken with spinach
and Salsa Verde was just
perfect. Someone had a
straightforward steak; Dante,
trying to be sensible, went for
steamed seabass. To be honest
our conversation took over from
assessing the food; however
everyone ate with gusto and
absolutely no complaints or
criticism. Alison had turned up
with samples of the latest
fragrances from the houses of
Jill Sander, Prada and Tom Ford
that she is working on which
led to a riot of spritzing. The
next table was quite fascinated
by our antics.
Flat iron chicken with spinach and Salsa Verde.
I
t’s a nice problem to have!
My friends are such a ‘tres
internationale’ group with
Alison a New York fragrance
designer catapulting
between offices in London,
Paris and New York; Dante
an Italian wine importer with
a brand new account in
Rome demanding his time;
Andrew flying the world with
British Airways and Richard’s
security role having taken
him to the Middle East,
China and Australia recently.
Hence arranging a date to
celebrate my birthday in
October took until mid
November. Have you recently
The whole atmosphere is comfy
and welcoming.
tried to book a table for six in
Central London at the last
minute? I tried seven of our
favorites and none could offer
us space. Whatever the
impending doom Brexit might
suggest, London’s restaurant
market is definitely booming.
Good old faithful Joe Allen, in
the heart of theatre land, was
able to welcome us on a
Thursday evening. The original
New York restaurant is five
years younger than I and
London’s version opened in
1977. It’s the one place you
can be sure to find a table post
theatre and is often packed
with famous faces. Last year
Joe Allen London relocated a
short distance away from its
first home so we were all
intrigued to see what had
changed. The layout is the only
noticeable change. There is
still a cave like warmth of raw
brick lined walls packed with
theatre posters and signed
photos. Solid sturdy tables and
chairs must have made the
move as well. The whole
atmosphere is comfy and
welcoming. It really is like
coming home to the classic
American Theatreland
Brasserie.
Andrew and I have learned to
choose wines before Dante
joins the group or it becomes a
long production. On this
evening Dante had been
hosting a Prosecco tasting at
the Caldesi Cookery School in
Marylebone before dinner so
we were able to make some
quick decisions in advance of
his arrival. We then hide the
bottles and made him tell us
about the wine from just
tasting. Dante’s wine
knowledge never fails to amaze
as he gets it 99% correct on all
occasions. A light and lively
It’s the one place
you can be sure to
find a table post
theatre and is often
packed with famous
faces. Last year
Joe Allen London
relocated a short
distance away from
its first home so we
were all intrigued to
see what had
changed.
Pino Grigio from Paolini in Sicily
pleased us all and I also chose
a Vina Mues Tempranillo for a
red wine.
The service is equally warm and
friendly; they were not at all put
off by late arrivals, swapping
places around the table and
general hilarity. Perhaps
working regularly with theatre
types prepares the staff for a
lively group like ours.
Even more refreshing was the
price: £276.41 between six of
us! Joe Allen is definitely a
place to which we will be
returning.
www.joeallen.co.uk
There are no surprises on the
menu, just the reassurance of
Visit The London & UK DatebooK on www.thedatebook.co.uk
A perfect place for a celebration.
THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
17