Restaurants

Manicomio

Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7565 5000)

Pre-theatre
Manicomio, Duke of York Square, SW1
This upmarket Italian (6.30-10.30pm) nestles at the west end of this new square, with an all-day café if you want a lighter bite. (020 7730 3366/www.manicomio.co.uk)

Interval drinks
Undercroft Bar, Royal Court
The on-site bar, pictured opposite, makes staying in the building worthwhile with its cocktail menu, champagne balcony and satisfying range of beers. Next door is the Oriel Brasserie, which looks fine, although you’ll probably miss the second half (service isn’t hasty). Later in the year a swanky brasserie is planned nearby, but that’s months away. Feature continues

Post-theatre
El Blason, 8-9 Blacklands Terrace, SW3
This cosy tapas bar is a five minute post-theatre stroll to its pretty side-street corner location. Tapas after a play is just the thing: clams marinière, grilled sardines or octopus with paprika and olive oil should all cut it. Last orders for food are 11pm, but you’re unlikely to be kicked out before midnight. (020 7823 7383)

In-house eats
There’s a café menu with bar snacks (spanish deli Brindisa is its main supplier) or a full restaurant menu with two-course pre-theatre deals. The chips are legendary.

Can I bring my own sarnies?
‘If it’s something smelly that’s likely to put people off, we’d probably have a word, but people generally don’t want to bring food in,’ says public relations manager Stephen Pidcock.

Where do the cast/crew go?
‘They eat in the bar before their call – or they eat in their dressing rooms.’