Sunday nights are borne for decadence and there’s no finer place to indulge than at the glamorous leather-bound den known as Crazy Bear in Fitzrovia.

The Venue
Discreetly located behind Goodge Street, the Crazy Bear offers the epitome of art deco glamour. Tobacco-hued leather tables are stuffed into nooks and surrounded by cocoa-coloured banquettes and soft cream drum chairs. No inch of wall has been spared a leather or mirrored effect and the finer trappings are comfortably in keeping with the deco style. Do venture downstairs for the bar is a pure haven of exuberance, with red leather caves (yep, caves) mirrors and a dominating polished gilt bar complete with cowhide stools. So alluring you may never want to leave.

The Atmosphere
Sunday night is cabaret night when resident pianist, the charming Clifford Slapper, hosts an evening of live lounge singers, singing a medley of classics followed by gorgeous be-feathered burlesque dancers who shake, shimmy and pout their way around bewitched diners. The clientele is fairly mixed from smart looking professionals and Crazy Bear regulars to mesmerised out-of-towners shocked by the faint flash of boob with their dessert. The staff are friendly, efficient and seemingly unfazed by the cheeky entertainment.

The Food
The Sunday Night Cabaret offers a Thai tasting menu (£29.50) with treats such as tender chicken satay skewers, steamed fresh prawn dim sum, both of which are served with a selection of dipping sauces. Next up are plates of delicious stir-fried, shell-on tiger prawns in a piquant sauce, grilled lamb cutlets with a fresh mango salsa and stir-fried gai lan (Chinese broccoli). The main dish of authentic Thai green curry with chicken arrives with more poke than Gaga herself and a dish of perfectly sticky rice. Although each course is delicious, well-prepared and nicely presented, there are no real show-stoppers. Dessert arrives as a generous dish of tropical fruit salad with a vanilla ice cream and shaves of sorbet, refreshing after the heat of the curry but otherwise uninspiring. The additional a la carte menu offers an array of fine Oriental cuisine including sushi, sashimi and Chinese dishes.

The Drink
In a dining room this decadent there’s really only two choices of appropriate beverage; a chilled glass of expensive champagne (glasses start from £9.95 and a bottle of Krug will set you back £425) or a cocktail. The cocktail list here at Crazy Bear is nicely extensive with most priced around the £10 mark. The Dark & Stormy (£9.50) with Gosling dark rum is long, refreshing and slightly spicy (perfect for a night of burlesque). While the Orient Express (£9.50) with 42 Below vodka, Passoa, lychee and raspberry is a delicious fruit burst with a nice boozy kick. The wine list is relatively balanced with most regions covered. The house wine is a reasonable French pays d’oc (£5.25gls/19.75btl) with most good mid-range wines coming in between £30-£50. After dinner cocktails are very popular, the Tiramisu (£9.95) is a gloriously rich blend of cognac, mascarpone and espresso, while the Lemon Cheesecake (£9.95) is tangy and sweet with a dusting of biscuit crumbs.

The Last Word
For a wholly indulgent evening of good food and exemplary entertainment all served in the most glamorous of surroundings, a Sunday night at Crazy Bear, is perhaps not so crazy after all, just good, clean(ish) fun. Recommended.

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