A love letter from 1940s New York has been posted to Covent Garden, and inside the envelope is a cosy American style brasserie with a charm that only comes from years of feeding happy customers.

The Venue
Tucked away on an inconspicuous street in the heart of the West End is Joe Allen - a restaurant well known to the theatre folk of Covent Garden. Once you've found its little entrance on Exeter Street you descend the stairs to a noisy, vibrant restaurant filled with a buzz and atmosphere that feels deliciously yesteryear - the photos of stars from days gone by certainly add to the charm. And don’t be surprised to be sat next to someone you recognise either, this is prime luvvie territory with plenty of famous faces celebrating a curtain call or two.

The Atmosphere
There's certainly a hint of the speakeasy about this place, with dim lighting, checkered tablecloths and black and white prints keeping things looking very cool indeed. The crowd is an interesting mix of couples, families and young trendy up and comers - probably from the theatre world. Don’t expect too much room between tables but watch as friendly staff weave their way around with considerable aplomb; they're friendly, efficient and attentive, working as a well-oiled team. Ask a question about the menu or for a suggestion on what to eat and you’ll be rewarded with knowledge and poise.

The Food
Joe Allen’s has a great reputation for its burger. A reputation so impressive, in fact, that the burger doesn't actually appear on the menu. But make sure you try it - it's pretty darn tasty. The rest of the menu reads pretty well too though, and the traditional prawn cocktail with tomato sauce is worth a try: it's wrapped neatly in strips of cucumber, is incredibly fresh and boasts some juicy, succulent prawns. The white onion soup puts in a pretty memorable appearance too: it’s light and smooth, with a creaminess that really balances the soup well.

BBQ spare ribs are quintessentially American; those served at Joe Allen are big and have plenty of succulent, lean meat on them. The meatiness comes with a tangy barbecue sauce as well as rice and black-eyed peas for a hearty, filling and tasty main. Sea bass is a thick piece of good quality fish, lightly crumbed in nutty breadcrumbs to add an extra dimension to the flavour of the fish, even if it can come out ever so slightly dry. The accompanying capers really brings out the freshness of the fish, and a side dish of buttered carrots works as an impressive companion.

An excellent brownie is a good way to finish, especially with a hot fudge sauce on the side, with both coming together to make for a fabulous and rich warm chocolate dessert. Decadence on a plate.

The Drinks
As you’d expect from an establishment such as this the drink menu is broad and covers most of the bases. A selection of imported beers adorns the menu as well as an impressive wine list allowing you to go from the affordable to the relatively extravagant with ease. Bar staff can knock up a very good cocktail, especially a variety of excellent martinis.

The Last Word
Grab a drink at the bar and listen to show tunes tinkled out on the ivories, before settling down for some dinner at one of Covent Garden's best-known and best-loved restaurants. Definitely one to try.

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