A NIGHT OUT AT A LONDON THEATER
Seeing a play in London’s West End, the city’s theater district, is an experience unto itself, as some of the world’s best stage shows are staged there. However, if you match the occasion with a similarly themed meal, it will become much more memorable.Like fish and chips, steak and ale, or tea and crumpets, dinner and the theater are said to be a perfect pair. In addition, London is home to some of the world’s finest theaters and restaurants. Choosing one will be the most difficult task. It could be useful to consider the evening’s events in terms of a theme.
If you’re going to see Mousetrap (St. Martin’s Theatre, West Street, 020 7836 1443), an Agatha Christie murder mystery that has been running continuously in London for half a century, you might as well have a traditional British dinner first. You may get a good bottle of wine and some tasty watercress soup with peppered salmon and horseradish at The Ivy (1-5 West Street; 020 7836 4751), which is just across the street from the theater. Follow it up with a typical British cheeseboard and a dish as refined as wild halibut in béarnaise sauce with buttered green beans and shallots.
The Cambridge (93 Charing Cross Road; 020 7494 0338) serves hearty traditional British dishes like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, sausage and mash, and an Aberdeen Angus burger, all of which pair well with a pint of Guinness.
Unless their stomachs are growling, kids of all ages will enjoy Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre, 28 Old Compton Street, 020 7447 5459). Prior to the show, have them fill up on burgers, fries, and thick malt shakes at Ed’s Easy Diner (12 Moor Street; 020 7439 1955). Atomic American fries (fries served with chili, salsa, nacho cheese, sour cream, and guacamole dips) are for the truly adventurous, whereas Ed’s huge chicken salad is for those who prefer a lighter dinner. After the concert, stop by The Spice of Life (37-39 Romilly Street; 020 7419 4696 or 7) for some traditional British desserts like Bramley apple pie with vanilla ice cream or sticky toffee pudding with dates and vanilla ice cream.
The Rat Pack (Savoy Theatre, The Strand, Aldwych; 020 7836 8888) is a show honoring the careers of crooners Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Then, if you’re looking for something cool to do after the event, head down to the basement of the Pizza Express Jazz Club (10 Dean Street; 020 7439 8722) for some excellent jazz, delicious pizza, and a glass of wine. Gambero original pizza is a wonderful combination of crayfish tails, red pepper, red onions, fresh parsley, and spicy Tabasco sauce. Start with the spicy mozzarella and double tomato salad. Or try the Parmesan pizza, which comes with free-range egg, Parmesan cheese, and asparagus.
The Vagina Monologues (Wyndhams Theatre, Charing Cross Road; 0870 060 6633) is another show for mature audiences only that features a wide variety of humorous, touching, unsettling, and fascinating tales centered on the female sex organ. The evening needs a delicious and seductive treat to cap off this drama. Try the passionfruit and raspberry cheesecake at Balans Café (60 Old Compton Street; 020 7437 521260), or stop by Maison Touaregue (20 Old Compton Street; 020 7439 1063), where you can indulge in Taste of Morocco pancakes flavored with lemon, honey, rosewater, and almond. Galab Jambu, hot milk semolina balls with a light honeycomb interior, drenched in a sweet syrup, and served with vanilla ice cream, may also be had at The Mantra (48 Dean Street; 020 7439 6868).
Andrew Lloyd Webber has set the story of a mysterious woman in white who is determined to reveal a terrible secret to music in the Victorian thriller The Woman in White (Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue; 0870 895 5505). After the theater, try some coconut pancakes loaded with shredded coconut and palm sugar and topped with coconut ice cream at the Tuk Tuk Thai Noodle Bar (59 Charing Cross Road; 020 7734 595159). Or, if you like something sweet, get the mango pudding with whipped cream and a hot cup of jasmine tea.
One of the most in-demand shows in London’s West End is the Tony Award–winning musical Fame (Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych; 020 7379 3367), which tells the story of a group of students at New York’s prestigious School of Performing Arts and their quest to achieve, well, fame. You will be far too energized to go straight home after leaving the theater. Feeling upbeat? Leicester Square is home to the lively Sound Café Bar (Leicester Street and Swiss Court Leicester Street; 020 7864 13000). Hot chili peppers are packed with cream cheese and served with a sweet coriander dipping sauce in the appetizer known as Jalapeo Poppers. Then order a tortilla-based Sound Pizza, which is a local specialty. Cajun-spiced chicken, mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, and Monterey jack cheese over a salsa-based pizza; try it if the Jalapeo Poppers didn’t make your mouth too hot. Smoked haddock and spring onion fish cakes with wilted spinach, lemon, and caper sauce are a great alternative to spicy fare. Fries are a must, of course.
The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street; 020 7420 8112) is the pinnacle of musical theater and warrants an equally grandiose dinner. Before the play, why not have some delicious traditional dishes from Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore at C & R Restaurant (3-4 Rupert Court; 020 7434 1128)? Pinang Asam Laksa is a spicy and sour soup made with rice noodles, sardine fish flakes, cucumber, and the chef’s signature lemongrass broth.
Next, try some Sambal Udang, which are shrimp fried in a handmade sambal chili sauce that are both fiery and tasty. Boo Boo Cha Cha is the chef’s recommended dessert, consisting of shaved ice and a mixture of yams and sweet potatoes cooked in coconut milk. The very daring among us may also want to try the seaweed Soya drink, while the rest of us may stick to our tried-and-true green tea.
Blue collar values and the refined talent of the classical dance world come together in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre, 8 Victoria Street; 020 7834 1317). The Imperial (5 Leicester Street; 020 7437 6573) offers a similar menu, which combines classic dishes from the working class with an upscale twist. To start, I recommend the baked Camembert cheese and some crusty bread. Try the Coriander Chicken in curry sauce over saffron rice, or the spicy bean Shepherd’s pie. Thenaan bread, a flat leavened Indian white flour bread, is amazing, as is a side dish of garlicky doughballs.
The Phantom of the Opera, a tragic gothic tale about a disfigured composer living beneath the Paris opera theatre who is desperately in love with a gorgeous opera singer (Her Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket; 0870 895 5505), is as classy as it gets. After the opera, treat yourselves to a romantic meal at the posh Manzi’s (1-2 Leicester Street; 020 7734 0224). This stunning structure served as the Hotel du Commerce in the 1800s, and Austrian musician Johann Strauss stayed here. Manzi’s grilled monkfish “Americaine” comes with lobster and cognac sauce, sorrel, wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and basmati and wild rice. If you listen well, you could even hear the faint strains of one of his renowned waltzes in the background. Pair it with some fresh asparagus, Hollandaise sauce, and a bottle of Pinot Grigio for a great, sophisticated meal. Dessert should be a pear and almond tart with pistachio ice cream for maximum perfection.
One thing is clear, though: you’re in for a treat, whether at the theater or the restaurant. It’s going to be a fantastic evening in London.
