Isn't the Oyster Man around there?  You'd have to like seafood, natch.

Din Tai Fung?

There are probably better sushi restaurants but I love Sticks n Sushi there for a pre theatre jaunt. Great cocktails too.

J Sheekey or Barrafina.

End of thread.

Ivy.

The Ivy is a restaurant for those not interested in food.

Not Ave Mario under any circumstances.

Advise as ever based on somebody else paying and it being assumed it’s a blowout not what was asked about. See also requests for suggestions for presents, when you’d think people have money to burn. Ffs

Sheekeys Atlantic Bar was always a good idea for pre theatre, more affordable than main restaurant. But I’m not sure it survived the vu.

whatever you do, do Not go to Balthazar, breathtakingly rubbish and v expensive. It’s a tourist trap really.

Frenchie

Or Ten Cases.

Thank you all. 

Balthazar for brasserie bustle or Clos Maggiore for old school class. 

Cookie is right, these suggestions are all terrible. You should just go with his suggestion. 

Oh.

Barrafina. Mmm. 

Andrew Edmunds is nearby. 

barafina

noble rot

or masala zone 

are my gotos

Flat iron steak

What are you seeing at the theatre?

I had a terrible meal in Sheekeys last month.

Bathasar is rubbish.

Andrew Edmunds is in Soho not Covent Garden.

If you think I’m giving up info like that on here you’ve got another think coming. Well, not in your case, obviously.

It's like some of you have never even been to London.

Covent Garden is a restaurant wasteland.

Homeslice Neals Yard is good.  And actually the other restaurants on neals Yard are OK.

Clos Maggiore is OK but over priced 

Spring is decent although not strictly CG.

Rules is surprisingly unawful. 

Rules is a good suggestion.

Rules is where Mr .m said we should have gone instead of Balthazar.  
maybe also Chinatown next time?

I’ve heard good things about Barbary although I’ve never been.

I used to like Christopher's ages ago but IMHO it went down hill

I've had some good food at Sheeky but one really bad experience 

I've never eaten at Barbary but I had a good look at it last time I was in neals Yard and the food looked really good

Mama Mia feebs. Of the suggestions I'm leaning towards Frenchie.

Margot for old school, flawless italian

Can't beat a trip to dishoom either

Champagne + Fromage on Wellington St

If you go to Rules properly at lunchtime you’ll miss the theatre. 

Opera tavern, great food and wine. 

Hawksmoor, Seven  Dials.

London Restaurant, London Street, WC2

tell them Bentines sent you

Balthazar food is pretty average, but their whisky selection and pricing is good.

 Clos Maggiore (in the conservatory) is really magical in winter when they have the fire going.  Definite brownie points if you are going with your other half. It's not cheap though, nor is it really light (although you could just about eat a light meal there if you put your mind to it). 

Isnt this what Joe Allen is for? Is it still open?

they owe me a free lunch 

Hmm, Joe Allen isnt really a lunchtime place.

it is still open but has moved.

Balthazar is dreadful, just look at the recent reviews and way too spenny for what’s on offer.

Hawksmoor is a decent shout if you want steak at a (really good) chain

Opera Tavern has always disappointed me by not being quite as good as Salt Yard, the original of its little gang

It being game season, Rules is probably the best bet tbh 

Not sure game season at rules hits the brief of light, pre-theatre lunch. Same old RoF - answering the question it wishes it was asked, since 2000. Don't change. 

Jels you're such a killjoy

Whole partridge followed by a bloody venison chop.   Fill you up nicely before the boring theatre show.

Tried Dim Tai and Ivy. Couldn't get in. Did Balthasar - was rushed so only counter service but was good and just over 80 quid so not expensive. Albeit didn't have lots as rushed.

Having asked for recommendations, you went to the place everyone advised against!

Lol tbf that was a combination of the ladies choice, other venues being unavailable and being late.

ffs all these posts and nobody has said La Goccia or Petersham nurseries opposite - literally the best places in wc2 for lunch

Petersham is great. 

the nomad hotel has opened opposite the roh and has a bar on the side that serves sort of Mexican food and good cocktails if you just want a quick bite

i love nutshell 

i haven’t been in but saw they have opened a red farm - I love the one in the west village so hopefully that will have transplanted ok 

smoked salmon sarnies and fizz at the roh itself Ofc 

and I will go into bat for Balthazar - the waiters are impossibly rude and it’s a bit overpriced but it’s a fantastic space and sometimes that menu is just what you want 

Re Balthazar it has the positive of being named after the Fire Mage from Heroquest- also surprisingly good service yesterday.

Just bumping - went back to thread to see the recommendations- and may be useful for anyone wanting pre lockdown dining.

Then the answer should be whatever restaurants are still standing next March 

Want to give the masterchef professionals portuguese dudes place a go...volta do mar