Christopher's

18 Wellington Street, WC2E 7DD
Telephone: 020 7240 4222

Cuisine:
Average Price: £

Overall
Food
Service
Atmosphere
Value

our comments

Having been to Christopher’s American Grill a number of times over the years; for some reason I’d never stepped foot in the downstairs Christopher’s Bar. I’ve only ever glanced in quickly while mounting the staircase in a hurry to have dinner before a show. Not being in a hurry and in the neighbourhood recently I decided to stop in for a few drinks and a light evening meal. It wasn’t long before realised that I should have done so long ago.

The room’s high ceiling is accented with large rounded lights hung at various lengths hovering high above the customers. Large windows looking down towards the Strand let in the last light of the day, turning into the glow of the lights from the nearby Lyceum as the sun goes down. The stools at the bar allow you to closely watch the mixologists apply their craft; or you can sit at one of the low tables with soft leather chairs placed around the room. Very comfortable indeed.

My companion and I approached the bar and were greeted warmly. Our drinks once ordered arrived with the flair that one expects in a west end cocktail bar. I tasted my companion’s Cascade cocktail (vanilla vodka, crème de fraise, crème de framboise, lime juice and fresh fruit served with hand crushed ice…not cubes which is always a great improvement in fresh fruit cocktails), and found it very refreshing. Not being an adventurous cocktail drinker (fancying myself to be quite a beer connoisseur), I was pleased to find the excellent Anchor Steam Porter, one of the best American beers to be imported into the UK, on offer.

The food menu was a pleasant surprise; not being overly complicated or overpriced like some other cocktail bars in theatre land. The American theme from the main restaurant holds true on the bar menu as well. Starters range from Chunky Fries with Sweet Chili Mayo to Smoked Chicken with Monterey Jack Quesadillas with salsa. We ordered the Christopher’s Won Ton selection with Sweet Chilli Dip to have at the bar. Very tasty.

Once finished we decided to take in the bar from the comfort of a table where we ordered the ‘classic’ Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and the Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich ; which we decided we would share between us. Once the correct orders had arrived, (initially having been served the seared Salmon instead of the Caesar salad by mistake), we found the food to be well worth the wait. The Philadelphia Cheese Steak Sandwich, although not done in classic ‘Philadelphian’ style, was served with pieces of rib eye cooked to order and which were done perfectly. The Caesar salad was of a high standard as well, the dressing being as good as one would expect in any top London restaurant.

Overall, despite the initial order mix up, the service was very good and the staff professional and pleasant to interact with. The atmosphere was relaxed with the exception of the plasma screen hanging above the door as you walked in playing MTV, which no one seemed to be watching except the staff between drink orders. It was a bit distracting at times.

We left, pleasantly full, and thinking about when would be a good night to come back and try it again. I sincerely look forward to it as it was a good evening in a great atmosphere.

M.K - July 2005