Joe Allen

Joe Allen is an institution that has stood the test of time - it's hardly changed, despite bistro bars and gastropubs springing up all around this neighbourhood. The decor, too, remains unchanged: the brick walls are still adorned with memorabilia and posters and it continues to fend off all competition to retain its crown as the go-to Yankee restaurant for the post-theatre crowd. This little piece of New York has been buzzing in Covent Garden for over 38 years now, and even the pianist is a firm fixture.

The menu sticks to what Joe Allen does best, featuring the likes of ribs, steak and chips and mac and cheese, with the added treat of spicy paprika sausage. Famously, burgers aren't on the menu here, but a little-known secret is that you can ask the chef to make you one. My companion and I both kicked things off with a salad - the crab and avocado with a Bloody Mary dressing and the tuna Carpaccio - both of which were rather appetising and left us eager for our main courses. To follow, my signature chopped chilli beef with sour cream, guacamole and skillet potatoes was perfectly spiced.

The sirloin steak with crisp shoestring fries and mayonnaise was washed down with a glass of a fresh white Bourgogne Aligote - delightful. We sat back and took in the history and atmosphere as we waited for our sumptuous baked vanilla cheesecake and a dark chocolate fudge brownie desserts. As expected, both were delicious. Having opened in 1965 in New York, here's to another 50 years of Joe Allen