The Providores
109 Marylebone High St
London W1
ph 020 7935 6175
www.theprovidores.co.uk

Pacific

7 days, lunch from 12, dinner from 6pm

 

Friday 8.30pm, 7th Sept 2001

Grant & Tan, Anita, Vanessa, Annette, Rosina, Eleanor, Mikyong & Amos, Debbie H, Ben & Ade, Kyle, Amy

This legendary venue lived up to its fine musical reputation on the night we visited, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames headlined with the Theo Travis quartet as the opening act.

The place was packed. Our booking for such a large group were not able to be together, being split into groups of 8 and 6. Our two tables at the front of the stage benefitted by a great view, but was loud, and there was no room to hide from the performer's steely gaze if one wasn't paying attention to the band. The other group at the banquette tables were set up on steps with tables that you sat side by side on, which also afforded fantastic views with comfy seating.
The acts alternated their sets very efficiently so there was no time to get bored (or even chat with one's companions).

Unfortunately the food does not match the high musical standard. The "extensive a la carte menu" looked inviting. My Chicken Kiev with Rice was appalling yet as I was starving by the time it arrived in front of me, I persevered chewing through the overdone, underflavoured rubber that masqueraded as chicken. Even more appalling was the price at £10.90. As that thought sat in my stomach like a heavy stone, along with the equally heavy chicken, I enviously eyed the wiser choice that Debbie and Ben made, the hamburger served with chips (£6.90). The burger was a little tasteless, but at least it didn't require jaws of steel to eat it. Nothing that a lot of tomato sauce and salt couldn't fix anyway. The sides didn't fare much better. The mushrooms, and the stir fry vegetables were bland. The appetiser of the spicy Arizona-style potato wedges and sour cream were a lot better, but hardly spicy.

Our waitress forgot to bring Debbie's burger, but we appreciate the difficulty of having to wait tightly packed tables discreetly during performances.

Décor: Jazz club authentic. Red lamps light the walls entirely covered with black & white framed photos of jazz legends.

Tip: stick to the simple burger and chips or try the potato wedges with a sandwich.

Overall: Crap food, great music.
1/10 for food, 10/10 music.

Royal China

Sunday 12.30 lunchtime, 21 October 2001

Sunday poured with rain but didn't stop the people from queueing outside. We waited for an hour to get a table for 12.

Was it worth it - oh yes, all dishes were fantastic. Fresh and delicous. Char siu bao, har gao, cheng fun, all the dumplings. Even the turnip cake was good. Special mention: the scallop dumpling.

Ate so much, but it was all worth it.
£16pp. V.nice maitre d.

8.5 /10

Tuesday 7.45pm, 11th September 2001

Ade, Cyndi, Tan & Grant, Vanessa, Nic & Shane

My birthday reservation was made weeks in advance due to the eagerly anticipated opening of this new restaurant from the King of Fusion cooking, super chef Peter Gordon. It became a surreal birthday as the tragic events in NYC occurred. London was a very nervous city as we thought we might be the next to be attacked - at this stage nobody knew why it had happened and Ben had been evacuated from his work building in the city in the afternoon. However I was determined to go ahead with celebrating my birthday. Obviously other people felt the same way, or perhaps they hadn't heard, but on the eve of the attack on the World Trade Centre in NYC, the Providores was very busy.

Smaller than The Sugar Club, the restaurant is on the upper floor and the Tapas bar on the lower. The upper floor is cosy, yet not very discreet as a romantic dinner venue as the tables are very close together.

Entrees were good - seared scallops on bak choy were tasty and h-u-u-u-ge.
The main of the rack of lamb with harissa and cous cous was tender and tasty although could have done without the dollop of harrissa which was a little too spicy and overpowering. The duck looked delicously rich, the salmon looked fairly standard but apparently tasted better than it looked. The sides of the mash potato and kumara were perfectly creamy and buttery.

Cyndi chose a very good wine, the Kim Cameron Sauvignon Blanc.

Unfortunately with such big portions, there was no room for dessert! Even if it was my birthday.

Cost: £50pp (I think)

7.5 / 10

Bank
1 Kingsway, Aldwych, London WC2
ph 020 7379 9797
www.bankrestaurants.com

Modern British

Wednesday 6pm (pre-theatre), 15th August 2001

Tan & Grant, Ade, Anita, Clem, Rosina, Wendy & Mike

Mike's suggestion for a quick yet decent meal was a good idea. The Fix Prix menu was good value and offered a fair selection. The main of the cod was very good, and for the dessert I ordered the passionfruit parfait which was v. enjoyable. Tania said the cheesecake was good too.
The waiting staff were friendly and helpful when we explained we had to make our way to the Globe Theatre by 7.30. The service was worth the charge that is included automatically in the final bill.

The bright colours and muted lighting make this large restaurant an interesting one. Also has a separate bar area which was full of city suits.
Cost: £16pp, £13.50 for 2 course Fix Prix menu

7 / 10

Disclaimer: Please note reviews of restaurants are the personal opinion of a particular dining experience only. The writer is not a professional food critic and dining encounters are experienced in the role of a customer and the meal is paid for out of one's own pocket (or Ben's).

All content and images are the property of Adrienne Wong and may not be used or copied without permission. © 2002

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