This smart, West End, first floor restaurant has a proudly British theme.

The Venue
Stanza’s previous incarnation was Teatro, a private members’ club, bar and restaurant. Its new owners have renamed the restaurant and moved it from the back to the front, affording views over Shaftesbury Avenue through its large span of windows. The place itself, which incorporates the bar, is smart and spacious and with beige and mellow brown colours, dark wooden tables and brown leather banquettes.

The Atmosphere
The mood is low key and sedate, but not stuffy, with mellow Latin sounds pumping softly in the background. Although bright and serene by day, it comes alive in the evening when the bar area gets busy with anything from private hire to theatre and media-related launches and parties.

The Food
Under head chef Stuart Tattershall, Stanza serves up solidly Modern British cuisine. All the ingredients are nationally sourced, with an emphasis on produce from Cumbria, and the menu is easy to follow. For starters, the Tobermory scallops were plump and juicy, as were the accompanying white peach slices with the skin left on to provide some much-needed texture. Then there's the award winning goat's cheese from Highfields Farm in Staffordshire, which is hand-rolled in salted birch ash and comes with a confit of Heirloom tomatoes.

Mains weigh in at around £8.00 and upwards. The pork belly is recommended and comes with satisfyingly crunchy crackling and a rich jus, along with chunks of potatoes roasted in duck fat. Elsewhere there's rock bass, much meatier than sea bass, with marinated artichokes and salad. An absolute must are the chips, which are first rinsed to release the starch, then parboiled, then fried. To finish, the gooseberry fool was sweet and buttery and brought back childhood memories with its whipped cream and brandy snap topping. Other puds include English cherry Bakewell tart with Jersey ice cream. There are also reasonably priced pre- and post-theatre set menus.

The Drink
The wine list is comprehensive with bottles ranging from a little more than a tenner to just over £60.00. Stick with the British theme and go for Wickham Fume Blanc - a good, dry and fresh white wine from an 18-acre vineyard in Hampshire. Best of all is the selection of 16 loose-leaf teas, including the spectacular hand-rolled jasmine pearl tea and the amazing China rosebud black. They are set to introduce high teas here and, based on this selection and the renaissance of the trusty brew, they are on to a winner.

The Last Word
Head to Stanza for good locally sourced and reasonably priced food in a smart setting for a sedate lunch or a more lively dinner.

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