Planted in the heart of Theatreland, the Lemon Tree is a strange entity – it’s a stolid pub housing a Thai takeaway.

The Venue
The problem with this pub is it looks better from the outside. Its big windows and dark facade look fairly quaint, but once inside any charm quickly fades away. The dark wooden ledges that run along the walls are eclipsed by vulgar shiny pine tables that litter the floor of the small ground bar. Not only are they like an Ikea seating set but every table and chair is also about four foot from the ground. Bar stalls are appreciated in any pub, but when they are all that's available there's no chance to get comfortable.

The walls are covered in black and white photos of actors, crooners and entertainers. The staff must have a great knowledge of West End shows with all the complimentary tickets they must get in return for the posters and fliers plastered across the walls; unfortunately, rather than coming across as endearing, it’s more lazy in an area that latches onto the theatre theme so readily. The upstairs (a square, medium-sized room) does offer seating and tables at a more traditional height but you'd have to be able to stand the grotty brown, empty walls to take advantage of them.

The Atmosphere
The Lemon Tree isn’t a place to visit during the day – it’s best at night when the loud pre- and post-theatre crowd hide the pub’s aesthetic shortcomings. People are friendly and there are smiles from the staff on arrival - a simple yet often forgotten courtesy in Central London. Unfortunately, the smiles from the people around you might not put you at ease; the photos that line the walls eerily glare down at you. One, in particular, looks part jolly entertainer, part creepy maniac man and is worringly eerie.

The Food
If you hadn't read this review (and didn't spot a menu) then you probably wouldn't know that The Lemon Tree serves food. Despite having a lot of doors marked private - one of which must be a kitchen - it just doesn't seem like that kind of pub. However, they do serve food and the menu is Thai. The promising thing is it also doubles as a takeaway, so if you like the food but not the pub, you can eat in the environment of your choice. There are over twenty Thai dishes, including Gang Panang, Pad Khing and the super hot Jungle Curry.

The Drink
Nothing jumps out at you from behind the bar and says 'DRINK ME NOW, I'M NEW AND DIFFERENT' at the Lemon Tree, but at least they have premium Czech lager Staropramen; although Stella, Kronenbourg and Fosters are all very drinkable and available on tap, too. They also have San Miguel, which is tasty if a little too fizzy. Alongside these are a couple of ales, including Spitfire, Timothy Taylor, Landlord and Harveys. The spirits are standard with no premium bottles beyond the usual Jack Daniels and friends, and, as with many small pubs, the house wine remains the best value.

The Last Word
The Lemon Tree is certainly not a place to make a point of visiting. If you can’t resist the attractive facade then attend at peak pre- and post-theatre times for a more sociable atmosphere.

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