THEGAYUK

Author: Tim Baros

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Pam Ann, Leicester Square Theatre, London

    ★★ | Pam Ann: Touch Trolley Run to Galley 20th Anniversary Tour, London and other UK cities

    Trolley Dolly Pam Ann returns to London with her 20th Anniversary tour – Touch Trolley Run to Galley – but it’s pretty much the same schtick she’s been doing year in and year out.

    Australian Pam Ann (real name Caroline Reid) has been making the rounds as the self-described ‘Queen of the skies’ for the past 20 years all around the world, and in this show she lets us know it. Now playing at the Leicester Square Theatre, the show begins with a video montage of her previous shows and the famous people she’s hung out with. Yes, from the minute the video starts we are reminded that the show is all about her. She lets us know that she’s an iconic international celebrity air hostess who has developed cult status over the years with her fans (most of whom are gay and who love her bitchiness and candor). And then when she’s out on stage she picks four audience members and invites them onto the stage to create a new Spice Girls band (who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary). On the night I saw the show, she conveniently picked four gay men from the audience (after all, gay men are so much more likely to ‘get her’) to ‘become’ the Spice Girls. Picking on audience members is a time and tested old tradition used by comedians when they don’t have enough material to fill a show (‘what’s your name?’, ‘where are you from?’ is the usual repertoire), and it’s a bit lazy to do so at the beginning of a show! Anyways, Pam Ann was very good with them; she was quick with one-liners and put-downs, and the men took it all in jest. It’s funny, but I wanted more jokes about the current state of the airline industry and the in-the-news bad treatment of passengers (she did open up with a joke about the United Airlines fiasco but it was a bit too short and too quick).

    The second half of the show had her bring out a trolley filled with, of course, alcohol, as well as a bevvy of dolls that represented airline stewardesses from all over the world (an Australian transgender doll was quite funny). But we’ve seen this from her many many times. Pam Ann tells us why she loves BA, and her alter ego Lilly ‘comes out’ all too briefly, and of course, she makes fun of Ryanair (who wouldn’t?). But as the show goes, it’s ‘we’ve seen and heard it all before’, and two hours in she leaves the stage and tells the audience to expect something great – but when she comes back out all she presents to us is a glittering outfit where she then proceeded to take selfies with the audience members whom she chose to be the Spice Girls, and then thud, the show ended, with not a laugh in sight. Pam Ann: Touch Trolley Run to Galley 20th Anniversary tour is 2 hours and 20 minutes long, but this consisted of a 20 minute interval and 20 minutes of video footage, including two videos of her interspersed into scenes from the Great British Bake-off – it would’ve been a bit funnier if she would’ve done this live, but that would’ve been perhaps too much effort?

    Pam Ann plays at Leicester Square Theatre until 27th May 2017

     

    For more information about Pam Ann and the rest of her UK tour, please visit:
    pamann.com / @pamannairbitch / facebook.com/pamannairhostess

  • FILM REVIEW | Handsome Devil

    ★★★★ | Handsome Devil

    One of the most buzzed-about films at London’s recent Flare LGBT Film Festival is getting released this Friday.

    Handsome Devil played to sell-out crowds at the festival (though at one screening there was a power outage so all the attendees were invited back to another screening). Irish movie Handsome Devil is the charming story of an out and proud young gay man who is attending a boarding school for the first time. Fionn O’Shea plays Ned and shares a room with jock and star of the rugby team Conor (Nicholas Galitzine). The rest of the school doesn’t quite know what to make of Ned, he’s a bit of an outcast, yet he and Ned form a special bond, after a rocky start between them, they realise they have more in common with each other than being roommates. Ned’s school life is made much easier with the help of teacher Dan (Andrew Scott in a very winning and sexy performance), who also happens to be gay. But it doesn’t help Ned (and teacher Dan) that the rugby coach is on to both of them – he’s full of prejudice and lets everyone know it. And it’s just a matter of time until the rest of the school comes around and accepts Ned for who he is, especially just in time for the school’s big upcoming rugby match.

    Writer and Director John Butler’s coming of age story is a winning combination of great performances and a story that’s time and tested and that never gets old. Winning lead performances from O’Shea and Galitzine make this one to remember, but it’s Scott as the supportive English teacher that will tingle your loins. His sympathetic teacher is handsome and oh so sexy, especially when he brings his boyfriend to the rugby match outing himself on the spot to the principal. More of these kinds of roles please Mr Scott. Though at times some of the accents are a bit hard to understand, Handsome Devil is very charming and memorable.

     

     

  • FILM REVIEW | Their Finest

    FILM REVIEW | Their Finest

    ★★★ | Their Finest


    A film about London in 1940 during The Blitz is finally being released in theatres – Their Finest – a year and a half after principal photography began and 6 months after it had its European premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2016.

    I’m not entirely sure why it has taken this long for the film to finally make it into the cinemas – it’s not a bad movie, but it’s also not a great movie.

    Their Finest details a motley crew of screenwriters tasked with writing a script for a film that would hopefully lift up Britain’s flagging spirits during WWII as well as inspire America to enter the war. That’s a lot of responsibility for three people to take on, in a film based on the 2009 novel by Lissa Evans. Gemma Arterton’s character Catrin Cole (based on a real woman, Diana Morgan, who wrote for Ealing Studios) actually has no screenwriting experience, but she’s basically just looking for a paycheck to help her artist husband Ellis (Jack Huston) pay the bills. But she gets more than what she bargained for when she’s hired by the British Ministry of Information to assist Tom Buckley (a very good Sam Claflin) on a film script. Winston Churchill tells them that they need to write a story that will inspire the nation, and so they write a propaganda film amidst all that is happening in Europe. But it’s Bill Nighy as the leading man of their film (playing Ambrose Hillard) who steals the movie. He’s wonderful and witty and oh so debonair when he’s on set in the making of the movie within the movie, and he’s wonderful off the set when he’s telling jokes to the rest of the cast and crew, and tender and fatherly when he is giving advice to Catrin. But all is not ok in her life, she catches her husband cheating on her on one of her few visits she makes to their home, and her and Buckley realize they have more in common with each other than just putting words to paper. Set this all against the backdrop of WWII and what you’ve got is a classic in the making.

    But Their Finest is not quite a classic. Some of the scenes look a bit staged, not very realistic for a film that relies on the portrayal of London during the Bliz. Arterton is fine and lights up the screen with her beautiful face, and Claflin is very handsome as her mentor, but director Lone Scherfing (who directed the wonderful An Education with Carey Mulligan) along with a script by Gaby Chiappe, don’t quite make it 100% believable. Production values are fine, costumes wonderful and the score very dramatic when it needs to be, but it’s Nighy that you will remember – he’s deserving of nominations for this film – but the film itself not so much.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Riverfront Bar & Kitchen, London

    ★★★★ | Riverfront Bar & Kitchen, London

    Where’s the perfect place to eat breakfast and watch London wake up? It’s the Riverfront Bar and Kitchen tucked away under Waterloo Bridge at the National Film Theatre on the Southbank.

    Whether all you want is a freshly-brewed cup of coffee or a full on breakfast bachannalia, the Riverfront Bar and Kitchen is the place to go. With floor to ceiling windows that face the booksellers under Waterloo Bridge, and with gorgeous views facing north to Covent Garden and the City, you can enjoy hours of people watching while at the same time soaking up the very trendy and casual atmosphere.

    Opening up at the early hour of 9:00 a.m. every day, and 10:00 a.m. on bank holidays, The Riverfront Bar and Kitchen is the perfect place to start your day. I’ve been there for breakfast a couple times – the first time was a bit of a fiasco as everything that could go wrong did – so me and a friend decided to give it another try, and we were very glad we did.

    Greeted by the lovely Jackie – we didn’t waste any time ordering as we knew exactly what we wanted. My breakfast companion ordered a breakfast cocktail – the English Breakfast Martini – tea infused with Sipsmith Gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and tangy orange marmalade – and he really enjoyed it. And at £8.00 he said it was worth the money! As I do not tipple before 5pm, I had a glass of the refreshing tomato juice. But it was actually the food that counted the most.

    I ordered the American (and not because I am American but because it had exactly everything I wanted in a breakfast – pancakes, eggs, bacon, potatoes, sausage and the all important syrup) – and it was enormous! It was, as expected, delicious, but a bit uneven. All the slabs of bacon, but one, were cooked well done as I had requested, and the pancakes were different colors (one was a perfect brown while the other was on the light side – huh? exactly!) Sure I know these are minor quibbles but I like it when my pancakes are cooked evenly. A bargain at only £9.50 considering how much food was on the plate! My friend had Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes – a steal at £6.50 – and they were also enormous. Three very large, all the same color, with grilled banana on top, mixed berries and cream along the edges – and lots of maple syrup. He wasted no time in downing it – I really don’t think he chewed – he said it was that good! I am defninetly getting this next time. They were true American style pancakes – soft and brown and absolutely yummy. We also ordered – to share – the Chorizo Mash (£7.50). Smashed & fried potatoes, eggs, spinach & parmesan cheese, with of course chorizo, it arrived in a grill, very hot, and my friend ate most of it! I did enjoy the small portion I had – the chorizo was perfect and it’s just something different to eat then your everyday breakfast. But there’s more the Riverfront’s breakfast brunch menu, they also offer the Full English (£9.50), Vegetarian (£8.50), Eggs Benedict (£7.50), Scrambled Eggs and toast (£7.50) and Smashed Avocado with egg and tomato on toast (£6.50) are some of the other options which is a very good selection. They will also serve the typical Bloody Mary and Bucks Fizz drinks (£7.50 each) and even offer a kids breakfast (at a bargain £4.00).

    If you can’t make it for breakfast/brunch, the lunch and dinner menu is full on whatever you want you’ll get. There are also daily specials which the friendly staff will tell you about. And in warmer weather, the restaurant has loads of outside tables for you to dine (or drink) the day (and night) away people watching (as well as barge and boat watching). The venue can’t be better situated – it’s just minutes away from Waterloo, and a nice stroll over the Thames on both the Waterloo and Charing Cross Bridges. And of course the restaurant is in the National Film Theatre – and there’s always something going on – either a film festival, older films or new releases, you can combine a meal with a movie along with a stroll on the South Bank to make a day of it. It’s, for me, the best place to be in London, and once you visit – you’ll feel the same way too.

    Tel: 020 7928 0808

    www.benugo.com/restaurants/riverfront-bar-kitchen

    Email: riverfront@benugo.com
    Address: BFI Southbank,
    London, SE18XT

    OPENING HOURS
    Mon-Wed: 9am–11pm
    Thur-Sat: 9am-1am Sun: 9am–10:30pm
    Bank Holidays: 10am–10:30pm

  • DVD Review | Theo & Hugo (Paris 05:59) – sexually charged and romantic

    ★★★★ | Theo & Hugo

    Two men meet at one of Paris’ most popular, and notorious, gay sex clubs, and then embark on an evening with lots of twist and turns, in the new film Theo & Hugo.

    You might think you’re watching a gay porn film as the first 20 minutes of Theo & Hugo is full on man-to-man action – erections and anal sex are all on full display, filmed at L’Impact – a naked gay sex club in the Marais district in Paris. Theo and Hugo, In French, with English subtitles, is shot in real time, and it’s in that club where Theo and Hugo meet, at exactly 4:27 am, amongst the writhing and moaning group of men who are all enjoying each others’ company.

    While there, Theo & Hugo connect sexually, intimately, and emotionally. They then decide to leave the club together to carry on their night with each other. But what wasn’t discussed while they were having unsafe sex at the club was the use of a condom to prevent HIV transmission, as Hugo (Francois Nambot) tells Theo (Geoffrey Couët) that he is HIV+.

    What transpires after is a rollercoaster of a night for both of them, when Theo goes to the hospital to get PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis), medication that should kill any traces of the virus that might be in his system.

    Romantically, and responsibly, Hugo joins him there. They then wander the streets of Paris, on a night that could turn out to be either very romantic or very tragic, with the ramifications of HIV staring them right in the face, and the possibility that their encounter could be more than just an encounter.

    Is Theo & Hugo a porn film or is it a film with an important message? This is something that you will have to decide, but nonetheless, it’s guerrilla and gay filmmaking at its finest. And Kudos go to the actors for ‘baring it all’ in scenes that are relevant to the message of the film, and to writers and directors Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau for bravely, and successfully, having the balls to make this controversial, yet romantic and engaging film. It’s sexually charged and romantic.

    Theo & Hugo (Paris 05:59) is available on iTunes and Amazon and is also available at WolfeVideo.com and Digital and Vimeo

  • Simply Barbra ‘The 75th Birthday Concert!’

    Steven Brinberg – the world’s most famous Barbra Streisand performer – is returning to London for three nights only – playing at The Pheasantry in Chelsea – with his show celebrating Barbra Streisand’s 75th birthday in a show aptly titled ‘Simply Barbra ‘The 75th Birthday Concert!’.’ Brinberg will be singing songs from Streisand’s latest album, greatest hits and Broadway’s best. Brinberg will be joined by musical director Nathan Martin.

    Steven has been acclaimed for his vocal performance of Barbra Streisand for over a decade around the world. He has also appeared in numerous concerts with the late Marvin Hamlisch, released two CD’s, appeared in films such as ‘Camp’ and ‘Boys Life,’ and has also appeared in a concert version of ‘Funny Girl’ on Broadway, with Whoopi Goldberg and Kristin Chenoweth. He will soon be seen in the upcoming film ‘Thirsty’ as well as in the popular television show ‘Blue Bloods.’

    Simply Barbra ‘The 75th Birthday Concert!’ – Thursday, April 20th to Saturday, April 22nd, showtimes each night at 8:30 pm, doors open at 7:00 pm.

    For tickets, please go to:

    https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/simply-barbara-the-75th-birthday-concert

    To hear Brinberg singing as Barbra, please go to:

    https://itunes.apple.com/ch/album/simply-barbra-original-cast/id219130461

  • THEATRE REVIEW | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Wilton’s Music Hall, London

    THEATRE REVIEW | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Wilton’s Music Hall, London

    ★★★★ | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

    Wilton’s Music Hall in the East End has another hit on its hands.

    How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is their fun and superb new show now playing at the historic venue. And it’s got the right cast to succeed without really trying to be a hit!

    Mark Pickering plays J. Pierrepont Finch – an ex-window washer who cleverly climbs the corporate ladder by taking tips from a book called ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ (obvs). His first step is to get a job, so he starts in the mail room at World Wide Wicket Company, working with Bud Frump (a very good Daniel Graham) – the nephew of CEO JB Biggley (Andrew C. Wadsworth). Company secretary Rosemary Pilkington (Hannah Grover) takes a liking to Finch, but Finch has more climbing the ladder to do, and soon enough he’s a junior executive. In the blink of an eye, he’s promoted to run the advertising department. And eventually, Finch will be after Biggley’s job, who has employed in the company his mistress Hedy La Rue (an excellent Lizzii Hills). She’s stacked but not too bright, and unfortunately, she gets enlisted in Finch’s new advertising campaign where she gives away the clues to a company competition, which could possibly lead to hers, Finch’s, and the company’s downfall. It’s a story told in laughs and colourful songs.

    The cast is perfect and the staging particularly brilliant. Especially good are Pilkington (great voice and timing) Hills (great comedic wit), Graham (perfect for the role as the spoiled nephew who doesn’t quite get what he thinks he deserves – with great facial expressions), and Matthew Whitby as the HR Director. Excellent direction by Benji Sperring brings this production, which is based on the 1952 book and the 1961 Broadway musical (and which has not been seen in London since 1963 when it played at the Shaftsbury Theatre). It’s pretty much as relevant today as it was when it was originally produced. And the very last song – “Company Way” – where Maisey Bawden finally comes into her own and belts her heart out, leaves the audience wanting more.

    How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying plays at the Wilton’s Music Hall, London until April 22.

     

  • DVD REVIEW | The Pass

    DVD REVIEW | The Pass

    ✭✭✭✭ | The Pass

    Two footballer players end up scoring with each other in Ben A. Williams feature film debut The Pass which is now out on DVD.

    The Pass take place in a ten-year time span which tracks the relationship between two Premiership football players. There’s always been some kind of chemistry and attraction between James (an electric and very good Russell Tovey) and Ade (Arinzé Kene – Hollyoaks – also very good). We meet both of them while they’re sharing a hotel room in 2006 in Bulgaria right before one of their first big matches. They’re both very young, and they’re also both very fit, masculine and extremely sexy, and they spend the first third of the movie in their tight white underwear. James and Ade are talking lads stuff, having a laugh about other players, and watching a video that was taken of another player having sex. The sex talk continues, and the banter goes something like ‘getting as hard as your sister sitting on my face.’ They’re playing around with each other; it’s hot, it’s erotic, it gets brutal and homophobic, plus, we find out later, it leads to more than just talk.

    The Pass takes us beyond the hotel room to tell us the story of the relationship between these two men, but especially about the relationship James has with himself. He’s all man, a star footballer, with all the trappings of stardom; money, women, celebrity, and eventually a wife with two kids. But he’s also battling with his sexuality, and even though he buys whatever, and whomever, he wants when he wants it, the thing he wants most is out of his reach. And when he’s questioned about his sexuality by a woman who has been paid to videotape having sex with him, he wants to go through with it, just to prove to the world (and obviously to himself) that he’s not gay. He’s a man who is not able to accept who he is and who he really wants to be with.

    The Pass is 88 minutes of purely charged up adrenaline. It’s a movie that’s full of dialogue, dialogue that goes from playful banter to sexually-charged hi-jinks, up to and including the final third scene of the movie, which involves a hotel bellboy that’s a bit over the top. But it’s not to take away from a movie that brings up a real issue – that there is not one out gay football player in the game now. Let’s hope this film opens up the dialogue that it’s fine for a player to come out of the closet. Originally produced for the Royal Court Theatre in 2014, The Pass makes an excellent transition to the big screen. Kene brings a real toughness kindled with a bit of softness to his role, but it’s Tovey who owns the movie. He’s never been better; his James is battling with his sexuality while at the same time trying to uphold his image. Tovey is electrifying and is at the top of his game (he will soon be seen at The National next month in the play Angels in America). This is one pass that you will want to catch.

    The Pass is available to stream and buy from Amazon and iTunes

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Miss Nightingale, The Vaults, London

    ★★★★ | Miss Nightingale, The Vaults, London

    Miss Nightingale review
    CREDIT: Robert Workman

    The story of a chanteuse called Miss Nightingale who is caught between three men in 1940’s London during WW2 is now playing at The Vaults under Waterloo Station.

    Leaving war-ravaged Berlin behind, Maggie Brown (a very talented Tamar Broadbent) and Polish George Nowodny (an excellent Conor O’Kane) arrive in The Big Smoke with Brown’s musical talent. Almost immediately, Brown is spotted by producer Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe (Nicholas Coutu-Langmead) and is urged to start singing for her supper. She’s a hit and starts dating Tom the drummer (Niall Kerrigan). But when their relationship goes down the drain (a bit unexpectedly), Brown, now known by her stage name of Miss Nightingale, falls into the arms of Frank. But Frank and the seductive George have struck up a relationship, all of this amidst the constant threat of blackouts, bombs and The Blitz – life in London during World War II was a treacherous and at times tortuous place.

    Miss Nightingale is similar to the storyline in Cabaret where the songs are catchy and campy, however, there is the fear of the unknown, and it’s set amidst the drama and terror that is happening in the outside world. Broadbent is absolutely wonderful as the star of the show, petite yet singing with a big voice and big personality – she commands the stage. Coutu-Langdmead is just as good in his meaty role as Brown’s best confidante and Frank’s lover – though he’s got lots of emotional scars from his past that he can’t soon forget. But the actors in this show not only act, they also play the instruments! O’Kane is especially adept when he’s playing several instruments during one of Broadbent’s songs – is there nothing this man can’t do? The action (and drama) takes place in the small stage space that is The Vaults, not much space to move around but the actors do it, and class it up with their excellent performances and singing.

    I can’t recommend this show enough – it’s got everything going for it – and there’s a cosy bar for those all important pre-show and interval drinks!

    Miss Nightingale is playing at The Vaults until May 20th.

     

  • THEATRE REVIEW | 42nd Street, London

    ★★★★★ | 42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

    It’s got Razzle. It’s got dazzle. It’s the tapiest and most glittering show in town. It’s 42nd Street!

    42nd Street is back in London and it played to a star-studded crowd on opening night (even the Duchess of Cambridge was there!). There were more stars in the room than in the skies, and there were more sparkles on stage than on Guy Fawkes night! 42nd Street is one of the most well-known and loved musicals of all time. Originally a 1933 film and based on a novel by Bradford Ropes, 42nd Street made it to broadway as a musical 47 years later (what took it so long?). It found it’s way to our shores in 1984, playing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (where it’s playing now!) and launched the career of Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was a chorus member fortunate enough to be bounced to the lead role one night when the main star and the understudy were both sick. The lead role, of wanna be musical star Peggy Sawyer, will definitely make Clare Halse, who is in this new production, a star.

    Mark Bramble, who originally wrote the book (along with Michael Stewart) directs this new production, and it’s a non-stop bacchanalia of fun! And with an amazing and flawless cast of over 50, 42nd Street has gotten better with time, even though it tells the same old time-trodden story of a young girl from a small town – Peggy Sawyer – who goes to the big city and dreams of making it big. She gets a job as a backup dancer in a new show called Pretty Lady, and the Pretty Lady in the title is Dorothy Brock (fabulously played by singer Sheena Easton). Brock is in love with Pat (Norman Bowman), who disappears off to Philadelphia. So Brock wants to follow him there, forcing the show to move to there. But Brock breaks her ankle, so after getting fired for causing Brock to break her leg, Sawyer is roped back into the show, this time as it’s lead, and she’s only got 48 hours to learn the part, to learn the dance moves, and is wooed and coddled by director Julian Marsh (Tom Lister). But it’s Billy (Stuart Neal) who really takes a liking to her. Will she be ready and rehearsed in time to open the show? Will the nerves get the best of her? I’m sure we can all figure out how it plays out – and plays out it does, much to our delight!

    But the story line pretty much takes a back seat to the musical numbers. Songs such as ‘I Only Have Eyes for you’ – beautifully sung by Easton, and ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and ‘We’re in the Money – sung by the entire cast, are just as memorable now as when they were originally written. Act 1 moves us from the stage of the 42nd Street theatre to The Gypsy Tea Kettle Restaurant and then on to Philadelphia, while Act 2 takes us from the dressing rooms to Philadelphia train station – all realistically cleverly designed. And those dance numbers – wow! There is one amazing scene where a dozen or so female dancers are on the floor while a mirror hovers above them for the audience to see – it’s breathtaking! This cast is definitely the hardest working cast in town – from the opening number where they tap themselves to death to the finale where they all come down the amazing light-up stairs – it’s one singing sensation after another. Halse is superb (with an excellent voice) as the lead, Easton is delicious as Brock – who would’ve guessed Easton had so much acting talent, and it’s her acting stage debut! And Maggie Jones and Christopher Howell excel in their supporting roles. With excellent choreography by Randy Skinner, 42nd Street is simply a must show to see.

    42nd Street is playing at DTheatre Royal Drury Lane, London until October 14, 2017. 

     

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Smith & Wollensky, London

    RESTAURANT REVIEW | Smith & Wollensky, London

    ★★★★ | Smith & Wollensky, London

    Smith & Wollensky is a New York institution and has found it’s way to London, and it’s thriving. It offers all sorts of steaks, and it comes with a price. Expect to pay no less than at least £75 per person – this is a place where definitely how the other half lives. Their steaks are perhaps the finest in the UK, in a restaurant that’s elegant and that defines the word fine dining. The minute you walk into the restaurant, which is just a few minutes walk from Charing Cross Station and right off the Strand, you will encounter a lovely classy restaurant with incredible art deco decor – it’s got a New York feel, with white tablecloths, very classy pictures, and spotless throughout, with a bar that’s very inviting. It’s a place to definitely impress, either your boss, your girlfriend, or perhaps your mom.

    Smith & Wollensky may be a once in a lifetime dining experience for some (or most) but it’s perfect for businessmen (company credit card) and those wishing to splurge on a nice meal. The cheapest steak on the menu is an affordable £39 (the Premium Irish Fillet Mignon) – but it’s a tiny 225g. The 400g Rib-Eye steak is a better option at only £42, but the better selections are, of course, the priciest. Another Premium choice – the Tomahawk (1kg and perfect to share) is £78, while the USDA Prime Day-Aged Steaks – and other selections – start low (Sirloin 395g) at £49 and go up to the 700g T-Bone at £78. On the night we went to the restaurant, it was a Monday night, and it was obviously a slow evening as there were only a handful of customers in a place that seats 340 people in both it’s upstairs and the cavernous space downstairs. Lucky for me they had my favorite steak – the chateaubriand, and it was cooked to perfection. It was recommended by the very friendly and very knowledgeable Sabina who said it was big enough for two, but I ate the whole thing, with the excellent Béarnaise sauce giving it a nice flavor. My dining companion had the Kansas City Cut Bone-In Sirloin (595g at £64) and it was delectable, delicious and extremely tasty, and again cooked to perfection. Both of us had never actually tried this type of meat before – now we are both huge huge fans. Smith & Wollensky steaks are charbroiled in one of their four grills, and they employ a full-time butcher where most of it goes through a careful dry ageing process for 28 days to ensure you get the tastiest, freshest meat in town.

    Smith & Wollensky offers up a handful of starters, but knowing that we were going to have a meat feast, we went for salads. I had the wonderful Iceberg Wedge, which is exactly what it says on the tin, and it was draped with lovely blue cheese dressing, tomatoes, and extremely delectable bacon lardons (strips). At only £12, it was worth every bite. My dining companion had the Wollensky Salad (£10). It came with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, potato croutons, bacon lardons (yummy again) mushrooms and topped with delicious dijon Vinaigrette. The salad was not sexy, but it was functional.

    The main courses don’t come with sides, so of course you would definitely want to order starch and vegetables to accompany your meat dish. You’ve got your choice of French or Cajun Fries or Whipped Potatoes. I had the Baked Potato – perfectly cooked, with butter, bacon bits, cheese, and sour cream, all on a bridge dish! But I would highly recommend the Hashed Brown Potatoes. If you’ve ever been to America you know that the hash browns there are shredded potato cooked on the grill, and the portion at Smith & Wollensky was gynormous and excellent. A must! Also on offer is Truffled Mac ’n’ Cheese and Onion Rings. In the vegetable department, order the Mixed `Vegetables – you name the vegetable – it’s in this dish. All the sides are smartly priced between £5 – £10 pounds each.

    Smith & Wollensky has a too big to mention wine list, but the waiters will recommend the best type of wine to accompany your meal. They also have an excellent drinks and cocktail menu. We had the Old Cuban (Havana Club 3, Lime Juice, Mint Leaves, Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV Champagne, Sugar Syrup) and the Stage Three Dacquiri (Havana Club 7, Koko Kanu, Lime Juice, Nutmeg & Vanilla Syrup, Chocolate Bitters). They were both very good but it was the Old Cuban that was more refreshing, lighter, and a bit more flavorable.

    The dessert menu really has to be mentioned. There is what they call the ‘Gigantic Chocolate Cake’ – and it is gigantic. It’s actually enough for four people. Moist chocolate layer cake brushed with Baileys Irish Cream, chocolate mousse and covered with dark chocolate ganache at only £18 – it’s practically the best deal on the menu and it’s the richest, guiltiest and best pleasure in town!

    There’s really a whole lot to mention about Smith & Wollensky besides the food. As mentioned, the decor is abasolutely divine, the downstairs area has the feel of being in another country (Paris, or perhaps the dining room of the Titanic), and there are three private dining areas for group or company bookings. Smith & Wollensky sits in the Adelphi building on the very quiet street that is John Adams Street, so there are no loud trucks, or lost tourists or selfie takers walking by. It’s secluded enough to be out of earshot of loud traffic, yet it’s just one minute away from major transportation – ideally centrally located. Adelphi translates to brother in Greek, and it was three Adams brothers (John, Robert, James and William) who orignally built the surrounding area in 1768. And close to 250 years, it’s still an elegant area where Smith & Wollensky comfortably resides.

    Smith & Wollensky is also running a promotion on their Tomahawk steak. Guests can tuck into the monstrous Tomahawk Steak – a juicy challenge for even the most committed of carnivores – served with French fries, creamed spinach, mushrooms and a bottle of Viñas del Vero, Cabernet/Merlot – perfect for two to share – at just £95! Also, keep your eye on Travelzoo and Living Social as Smith & Wollensky does put on offers that are excellent deals. A recent one included the Chateaubriand with cocktails each for two with four sides at a very cheap price of £45. But don’t let the high prices put you off – Smith & Wollensky can be an affordable place to eat, whether for dinner, lunch or even weekend brunch (which includes not just steaks but also french toast, pancakes, eggs and waffles). And Smith & Wollensky will also be serving an amazing three course Easter Sunday Menu for only £59.00 per person. Elegant food at elegant prices – well worth every penny!

    Tel: 020 7321 6007

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    Email: enquiries@smithandwollensky.co.uk
    Twitter: @SandWollenskyUK
    Address:
    The Adelphi Building
    Covent Garden Riverside
    1-11 John Adam St
    London
    WC2N 6HT

    Opening hours:
    Monday-Thursday: 12pm – 10.30pm (last orders)
    Friday: 12pm-11pm (last orders)
    Saturday: Brunch: 11am-3.30pm (last orders); Dinner 5pm-11pm (last orders)
    Sunday: 12pm-4:30pm (last orders)