Henry's Cafe Bar

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 12 reviews

Venue Image
5-6 Henrietta Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E 8PS

0871 971 6888
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.

The ViewLondon Review

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Review byJudy Johnson06/02/2008
Delicious food, sumptuous cocktails and fair prices: whether you’re enjoying a few drinks, romantic dinner for two, or a lunch date to catch up with a dozen friends, the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere at Henrys Cafe Bar is a great setting.

The Venue
In the heart of Covent Garden, Henrys Cafe Bar is well placed for a drink or meal after a long day at work, or even a few warm-up drinks before moving on to somewhere more lively. More restaurant than cafe, it’s easy to find and is a lot bigger than it looks. The long bar area gives way to a stylish dining environment, centred around a large staircase, which takes you down to the lower floor of even more seating and another bar, so you’ll rarely be left standing (except maybe on a Friday or Saturday night). This modern bar and restaurant also offers free Wi-Fi access, as well as being available for functions.

The Atmosphere
The key credit to Henrys Cafe Bar is its staff; they are quick to see to your every need, serving up drinks and food with efficiency and a smile, even during busy periods. Being in Covent Garden, your fellow drinkers and diners are likely to be having a drink after work, meeting friends for lunch. With such a large space to play with, the noise doesn’t interfere too much with conversation, though some of the tables are a little closer to each other than they need to be.

Most notable is the relaxed atmosphere, so you can enjoy your meal or drinks at your leisure: it’s got the feeling of a more expensive and upmarket venue without the attitude or prices.

The Food
Henrys Cafe Bar menu does deliver, and at reasonable prices. For starters, try sharing the tempting nachos at £6.15 - a classic with beautifully smooth sour cream, tangy salsa and rich guacamole, as well as jalapeno peppers and strips of spring onion to spice it up if that’s to your taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also the moules marinieres - a tasty mussels dish served with white wine cream sauce, or for an old favourite try their homemade soup of the day for only £4.15.

The main menu is vast in choice, from salads such as the tuna nicoise, Mediterranean cod or warm chicken and pancetta, to fresh burgers of either British beef or fresh chicken breasts with exciting toppings such as fajita (sauteed onions and peppers) or the New York (creamy Emmental cheese and crispy bacon). Exquisite pasta dishes such as the classic carbonara or the more unusual tiger prawn and crayfish linguini come in at around £8, and go great with a side order such as garlic bread or their fluffy garlic dough balls.

If you want something more meaty, the sausage and mash dish is the best with different choices of sausages as well as various alternatives for the mash such as the pork and leek sausage with caramelised red onion mash and gravy. The portion size is just right and inexpensive at around £8, it’s neatly presented and tastes great. There’s also the mouthwatering 12oz rib eye steak and chips, cooked to your liking and served with garlic and herb butter and crispy golden fries, a whopper of a meal at only £14.45. For a lighter dish, there are a range of sandwiches, sides and sharers available to suit your every need.

Desserts are reasonable at around £3 to £4, including delicious organic carrot cake, Belgian waffle or the well known bread and butter pudding.

The Drink
It’s a good idea to take advantage of the decent happy hour here. You can choose from their extensive list of martini cocktails, long, short, Champagne or non alcoholic varieties and indulge. At about £6 the prices aren’t bad and they definitely taste good - try the classic Cosmo, the sweet Henrys Mai Tai, or something with a bite such as the 7 Year Old Mojito. The Hawaiian Punch is deliciously refreshing, tasting mainly of Southern Comfort and pineapple juice, or try the Hot and Stormy for a richer tipple.

The Last Word
Henrys Cafe Bar is a refreshing find; in the midst of the hustle and bustle of popular Covent Garden, it provides a chilled-out haven in which to enjoy good food, good drink or good company. They even offer a small menu to take away at the end of your meal, so you can start planning what to have next time!
Henry's Cafe Bar has been reviewed by 12 users

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