All dressed up? Here's somewhere to go. (Covent Garden in general)

Member Name: pucker2

Product:	Covent Garden in general
Date:	09/01/02 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do, Something for everyone

Disadvantages: Can be crowded

Anyone who spends any length of time in this fabulous city will soon find their favourite pub, club, restaurant etc. and anyone who has read "A New Perspective" will know mine. Most of them will be quite little hideaways, far from the tourists and the bustle of city life, but what if that's not your bag?

Covent Garden has always been my first port of call on a night out as I have found there to be something for everyone when it comes to nightlife.

Firstly, the Roadhouse on a weeknight is nothing short of a bargain. Between 5:30 and 8:30pm there are 2 for 1 drinks at happy hour prices. The restaurant is good quality American cuisine and the music is live and the sort you will want to dance to. Entry is £5 after 9pm but it is open until 2am so it is well worth it. This place is worth a visit for the cocktails alone as you will be spoilt for choice. Also, Tuesday is ladies night with a free glass of champagne and an extra half an hour of cheap drinks if you're a girl. The Roadhouse is situated next-door to the market.

Staying with cocktails, Henry's (the other side of Pizza Hut from the Roadhouse) also has a great choice, with the option of champagne cocktails if you're feeling flush. The drinks are slightly more expensive here but it spacious and I have always found the staff to be friendly. Also, whilst there is no specific dress code, people tend to make more of an effort in here - usually because that are heading on to one of the clubs in the West End.

Keeping on that same stretch of road, you won't have to decide between cocktails in Walkabout. It is always packed but in a good way as most of the clientele is Australian and very friendly. The drinks here are consistently good value but don't go expecting a seat or a table because you will be disappointed.

Over the other side of the Piazza (and easy to miss) is the Gardening Club. It looks like a cafe from the front but a door at the ba
ck leads down to an underground area for more cocktails. If you go early or midweek it is often fairly empty and the leather sofas and soft music make it the alcoholic equivalent to Starbucks. The usual happy hours apply here too and it is also open late when it is far busier.

When it comes to eating out, you can't go wrong if you head for Maiden Lane. From Thai to Ozzie, the choice is incredible. Whilst Rules is the most dominant restaurant along that stretch, it can be quite pricey. It is one of those places where you have to take time to pour over the menu and the traditional decor and being the oldest restaurant in London it is incredibly popular. I can highly recommend it as the food there was some of the best I've ever had, but you would be lucky to get in without a reservation although booking can be done on line at: www.rules.co.uk.

The Thai restaurant on the opposite side is nothing short of charming. The service here was fairly slow but the food was well worth it in the end. Other delights along that stretch include a Greek restaurant (next-door to Thai Pin), which is very friendly but a little basic (especially the loos!) and a wonderful Spanish place. This at the St Martins Lane end of Maiden Lane and is set on three floors with a wide range of tapas to choose from. The paella is great and you will be warned that it takes around 45 minutes to cook but don't let this put you off.

Good fun is the Mongolian Barbecue - usually the most popular as the delicious smell can be detected from quite a way away. The idea is that you chose what you wish to eat from a wide selection of uncooked foods and spices and it is cooked in front of you. The queuing system reminded me of school dinners but if you are looking for something a bit different then this is your place. There is also outdoor seating available in the summer.

Finally, my latest discovery is La Garrick, a bar and restaurant on Garrick Street. Here a slip bac
k into my usual quiet hideaway mode as it is almost unnoticeable by being very small and on a corner. It has a tiny triangular top floor that is mostly candle lit (so not appropriate for big parties but perfect for dinner for two) and opens up downstairs with a bar (and live jazz on Saturday nights). The French cuisine here is simple but good quality and reasonably priced with an ample wine list. The service was also pleasant and the location means you can watch the world go by.

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