We booked an early table for 6pm, and before we were seated, the waiter checked what time we were going to the theatre – we were actually going to the Music hall, and not until 7.30pm. He told us that the performance at HMT was starting at 7pm instead of 7.30pm, so he was just checking no-one got caught out – very helpful! The pre-theatre menu is restricted, naturally, but still has something for everyone, and is very reasonable priced at £14.90 for two courses, or £18.90 for three. We started by ordering starters and mains, but the waitress pressed us to order our desserts at the same time, explaining that there was often a rush to order desserts. We decided we’d rather not be pushed into ordering desserts, so said we wouldn’t order them. We were brought bread rolls; they were a bit hard, but we still ate them! Service was prompt, as you’d expect in a restaurant specialising in pre-theatre dining, and we soon had our starters – soy glazed herring fillet with a fennel and pea shoot salad for me, and Chicken satay salad with spring onions, coriander & julienne vegetables for my dining partner. Both starters were good; my herring fillet was a particularly nice portion size, although a bit light on the soy glaze for my liking, while the salad tasted fresh and slightly peppery. I had the veggie option for my main - potato gnocchi with artichokes, olives & sun blushed tomatoes. It wasn’t a light dish, being liberally tossed in olive oil, but was tasty, although too heavy for me to finish. My partner had the Toulousse sausage (two actually), Dijon mustard mash, buttered kale and shallot gravy, which he enjoyed, although I think some vegetables on the side would’ve been appreciated – we could have ordered these as a side dish. Unfortunately we were brought the bill (and chocolates!) as we were halfway through our main courses and deep in conversation. I told the waitress that we hadn’t asked for the bill, and she explained she’d brought it as we were going to the theatre. I told her we weren’t going to the theatre, and asked her to take it away. It’s nice that the Stage Door wants to help its customers get to the show on time, but it is a bit pushy to bring you the bill without being asked, and certainly when you’re still eating. Neither of us could manage pudding, so we had hot chocolate and coffee, which was served with a couple of wrapped squares of chocolate each. All in all a good menu, good price, good food, but perhaps a bit pushy on the service side.
www.pbdevco.com/stage_door/index.cfm
Visited Monday 29 March 2010
