Restaurants

  • Christopher's

     
  • The greatest asset of this Covent Garden favourite has always been the building in which it is housed. A handsome Victorian pile, the structure is reputed to have served as a papier-mâché factory, a casino, a whorehouse and a bank before Christopher Gilmour converted it into a restaurant at the start of the 1990s. From the lovely, buzzy downstairs cocktail bar up the sweeping staircase to the cultured first-floor restaurant (offering precious views across Waterloo Bridge), this is bona fide destination dining. Unfortunately, though we’ve eaten well here in the past, the quality of the dining is currently failing to match the eye-catching destination. The food’s not awful: it’s just bland, slightly tired and entirely overpriced. After an above-par cobb salad, californian black bean soup didn’t hold the interest, meat loaf fell far short of its £17 price-tag, and a salmon fish cake was nothing out of the ordinary. You’re probably on safer ground with the long-venerated range of steaks. Still, at £34 for surf ’n’ turf, you’ll almost certainly get more culinary bang for your bucks elsewhere.

  • Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009

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  1. Posted by Brendan O'Brien on 09 Feb 2009 18:06

    Cool bar...great restaurant. The food was fab you must try the steak and lobster. Warm and friendly service. 10/10

  2. Posted by Elsa, Nottingham on 16 Jan 2009 13:26

    We had a fantastic Sunday night out at Christopher's just before Christmas, we started with some fabulous cocktail's and then went upstairs for dinner. The food was delicious, and the pumpkin risotto I had was divine. The desserts were excellent, and we finished our meal with another couple of cocktails for good measure. Overall the food, service and atmosphere were just perfect, we had a great night out.

  3. Posted by Anthony on 08 Jan 2009 18:51

    I visited Christopher's recently for a pre theatre dinner because of it's location in the heart of theatre land. I had never been before and had been recommended by a friend. I was pleasantly surprised firstly by the warm welcome by the staff and also by the beautiful surroundings of the hisroric building. We were seated in the smaller side dinning room upstairs which I would recommed for its more intimate ambiance. Our table was next to a large window over looking the west end. We chose from the pre thatre dinner menu which although was not extensive did offer some excellent choices and was very reasonaly priced. We informed our friendly waiter we were attending a show that evening and would need to be leaving the restaurant by 7.30. This he assured us was no problem and all three courses came in good time but we were neve made to feel rushed. The food was of excellent quality and my steak in particular was generous in size and cooked to a perfect medium rare as requsted. The service was some of the best I have had in London, the waiter even went to the trouble of finding directions to our theatre so we would not be late. The best surprise of all was the size of the bill! We all enjoyed a fabulous evening and I would highly recommend Christopher's especially to anyone visiting a west end theatre.

  4. Posted by Pauline Tremain on 31 Dec 2008 13:27

    We ate recently at Christopher's and were extremely pleasantly surprised to have found it. There was wonderful attention to detail, from the ambience on arrival (candles on every stair of the grand spiral staircase to candles throughout the restaurant), crisp clean tableware, sparkling glasses, very attentive, clean and friendly staff oozing professionalism, and an excellent menu (we ate from the pre-theatre menu, it was packed at 6.00pm) with well executed and appetising food. The wine list was also good.
    Throughout, it exhibited an extremely high standard. It is tucked away and we wouldn't have found it had we not booked through an online offer, but is very deserving of the highest recommendations for what it offers the discening diner - from couples seeking a romantic environment to large parties seeking a buzzing and stimulating atmosphere.
    Excellent!!

  5. Posted by Valerie Lipton on 26 Sep 2008 12:54

    Excellent meal and service. Staff were friendly and efficient, food was hot and served promptly definately worth a visit

  6. Posted by HJT on 09 Sep 2008 11:38

    REALLY enjoyed our cocktails and the atmosphere at Christopher's. The decor is dark and sexy and the staff are friendly - and they really know their cocktail menu. Had some great recommendations from our waiter. We will definitely be going back for more...

  7. Posted by Doug on 09 Sep 2008 09:19

    Christophers from the moment you walk in you think to yourself, 'this place is going to be expensive!'. And sure enough, it is.
    However, the minute you walk into the downstairs bar you are greeted by a very friendly staff and nice relaxing atmosphere whilst waiting for your table upstairs to be ready. The only downside to this was the lack of seating at the bar as it was quite busy. Nevertheless, the barman / mixologist was impressive.
    The interior was very nice, and as many people might mention to you, the staircase is a marvel leading you to the dining room. Once seated, the staff were again dutiful and efficient.
    Compliments to the chef for preparing well cooked food. Like many grill houses competing with Christophers at the same level, Christophers is no different in that the food is minimal but very tasty. But that's what you expect. You don't expect a mountain of food on your plate.
    Overall, I was impressed and would gladly recommend to friends and colleagues.

  8. Posted by Taryn Caravaca on 06 Sep 2008 16:54

    I went to Christopher's for breakfast, the experience was sublime, the Huevos Rancheros were to die for. The serive was friendly and attentive. The view gorgeous and the ambience wonderful. I must recommend this restaurant if you want to have a luxury breakfast!

  9. Posted by Lizzie on 03 Sep 2008 10:42

    A friend and I went for cocktails at Christopher's in the early evening. After having walked past the grand facade many times this time we went in and were pleasantly surprised. I love martinis and am very very picky about them but the attentive and obviously experienced barman made me one exactly how I like it.
    Both my friend and I spent a while there that evening being whipped up various drinks, some classic, some original, all delicious and expertly made. The atmosphere was pleasantly buzzy even at not a busy time of day and the decor was stunning. The cocktails aren't cheap but they were very good, I've had worse in Central London at places which were charging more.

  10. Posted by J.Vadi on 01 Sep 2008 22:36

    Christopher's is a beautiful venue in which to feast upon food that is both delicious and perfectly cooked. My experience can only be described as memorable. The staff made us all feel very welcomed. The variety of food on the menu ensures that everyone is left happy. I would recommend Christopher's to all those that enjoy eating quality dishes in a beautiful building.

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  • Details

  • 18 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7DD
  • Area: Covent Garden
  • Tel: 020 7240 4222
  • www.christophersgrill.com
  • Book online
  • Category: North American
  • Travel: Covent Garden tube
  • Times: Bar Open/snacks served noon-midnight Mon-Thur; noon-1am Fri; 11.30am-1am Sat; 11.30am-10.30pm Sun. Restaurant Brunch served 11.30am-3.30pm Sat, Sun. Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri. Dinner served 5-11.30pm Mon-Sat; 5-10.30pm Sun
  • Price: Restaurant Main courses £14-£35.50. Set brunch £16.75 2 courses, £19.50 3 courses. Set meal (5.30-7pm, 10-11.15pm Mon-Sat) £15.75 2 courses, £19.50 3 courses
  • Credit cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V
  • Services:
    • Available for hire: Separate room for parties, seats 40
    • Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: children's menu; high chairs
    • Function room: Separate room for parties, seats 40
  • Map

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