Style Points: 3/5
Price: £
Overall: 4.5/5

You have probably walked past Joe Allen a dozen times if you are regular visitor to Covent Garden. Entirely inconspicuous, you would have no clue what sort of restaurant lies behind the front door.

As I entered and descended the stairs to the basement, fearing a dingy set up lacking atmosphere, I was delighted to see the opposite. A long vintage looking bar stretching the length of the room, crisp white tablecloths adorning each table and a pianist lit only by candlelight made me feel like I had stepped back in time and I loved it.

Joe Allen opened in 1977 as a replica of its New York counterpart and was instantly a hit with the celebrities of London. Now, its dark walls are lined with posters of West End shows from over the years and there is definitely a buzz of theatre-land and history within the restaurant.

Would I Want Seconds?

The menu in Joe Allen is entirely American and the options for vegetarians are slightly limited but there is still a choice which I was grateful for. My fellow veggie diner and I ordered some sourdough bread which went down a treat and I enjoyed a frozen strawberry daiquiri which was scrumptious.

To start I chose to eat the eggs Joe Allen and my partner chose the black bean soup with coriander and garlic croutons. We were both thrilled with our choices. An alternative to eggs florentine, a perfectly cooked egg lay on top of spinach and potato with a hollandaise sauce. I vouched there and then that I would return to Joe Allen if only to order my starter and drink again! The soup was extremely flavoursome and smoky and felt that it had been stewing for hours to create the strong  powerful taste.

We decided to share our main meals and ordered the classic Joe Allen veggie burger, mac and cheese (starter), skillet potatoes and Boston beans. The burger was huge and served with fries and was a filling tasty main dish. The other dishes were also well done although my only criticism was the mac and cheese was too salty for me. After our abundance of food, we were unable to order dessert out of fear of bursting however I nearly gave into the temptation when I saw the menu which included vanilla cheesecake, pecan pie and chocolate fudge brownie. (At this point I added to my promise that on my return to the restaurant I would also indulge in one of these dishes.)

Could I Afford Seconds?

Joe Allen has several menus that you can order from as it is open from noon to midnight/1am every day of the week. I ordered from the a la carte where starters all fell under £10 and mains are all under £17. Cocktails are reasonably priced starting at £6.50 and there is a great selection.

Joe Allen have a set menu offering 3 courses for £17.50 if you are looking for something cheaper although the great variety of their American offerings from the a la carte is slightly lost in this menu.

Overall?

Overall I think that Joe Allen is a great choice if you are in central London and looking for a relaxed dining experience set within a retro atmosphere.

I loved that there was a pianist playing music from 50 years ago and I loved that there was an energy within the place without feeling too raucous. I am sure one could easily eat and drink there well into the night and emerge at 1am feeling fabulous.

So if you are after American dining that is not so ‘in your face’ within Covent Garden, go to the concealed Joe Allen as you will not be disappointed.

Address: 13 Exeter St London WC2E 7TD
Tube Station: Covent Garden
Website: www.joeallen.co.uk