Stanza Restaurant & Bar London Review
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When I looked up the Stanza Restaurant & Bar online, the first thing I noticed was its ideal location for post-work drinks: a short walk from Leicester Square, on the cusp of Soho and slap bang in the middle of the city.
Stanza was originally a posh private members club, Teatro, but under new management the owners have shifted things around a bit, moving the restaurant from its original place at the back to the front, allowing diners to view Shaftesbury Avenue from the large windows spanning one wall. The result turns an average-sized space into a much vaster, less claustrophobic area.
The décor is stylish and sophisticated – probably not a millions miles from how it was as a private members only club – with flattering lighting and complimentary music ebbing in the background. The aesthetics of the venue – the muted beige and brown colour scheme, the dark wood tables, the plush cushions and candlelight – mean the overall atmosphere is pleasing and docile, great for intimate meetings with friends or partners. But it’s also easy to see why larger corporate or private parties are held here (one was set up when we arrived). Stanza is posh but not stuffy, sophisticated without being pretentious.
The menu serves seasonal British food. We chose from the Winter A La Carte menu – a small selection of dishes geared towards cold nights. My partner chose a salad to start – miniature melon ball sized butternut squash with licks of salty bacon and a crunchy walnut dressing, ingredients that danced a samba in the mouth. I chose the slightly less adventurous (but equally appetising) watercress soup that warmed the cockles and had dollops of sloppy, salty blue cheese hidden under the surface.
Portions were generous but not overbearing. Unfortunately, the main courses were less satisfying. The Daube of beef (essentially stewing steak) was unnecessarily fatty and chewy, while the chicken breast was dripping with a bitter, unidentifiable sauce. Both courses were edible (although a lot of the beef was left), but at an average £20 per main, I found myself with a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth, and not just from the sauce.
The shining light came from the chips – deliciously soft and gooey on the inside with crunchy shells. I could have ordered three portions to myself. A definite thumbs up.
In my humble opinion (and it is humble, I very rarely visit posh, sophisticated wine bars), Stanza is a venue to visit for the atmosphere. It’s a place to share gossip with friends over exotic-sounding cocktails (a ‘Smokers Cough’? Ocho 8 tequila, Laphroaigh 10yr, vanilla sugar, chilli bitters, crème de cacao, lemon juice, and a dish of milk on the side – just in case). It’s a place to visit with work colleagues, for a quick lunch and some veritable thrashing out of deals over bar snacks and cold pints. It’s a place to celebrate your birthday – Stanza has that exclusive feel of a members’ joint without the actual exclusivity.
The food may be run of the mill but it was, for the most part, enjoyable, if a little hefty on the price tag. However, it was the atmosphere and friendly staff that made up for what Stanza lacked in the other departments. It’s warm and welcoming, and the sofas are of the type that you can happily sink into with a glass of wine or two.
Claire Williams (04 03 2010)
Stanza Restaurant & Bar London Description
Located on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue and Greek Street, Stanza Restaurant and Late Night Bar offers contemporary British cuisine in a warm and relaxed environment.
Glimpsing into Chinatown, Stanza’s unrivalled location, welcoming staff and mouth-watering menus seem to constantly attract an eclectic mix of Soho's buzzing media, pre theatre diners and professionals…but with signature cocktails including the Candyfloss Martini and the ‘Flaming Mo’…we know why!
In sharp contrast to the bar, which is situated in the middle of the venue, Stanza’s spacious & elegant, first floor dining room benefits from large floor to ceiling windows overlooking the hustle and bustle of Shaftesbury Avenue. Modern British flavours dominate the food offering at this venue with Head Chef Maggie John Lewis, (formerly of Grosvenor House, 86 Park Lane and Artisan at The Westbury), using only the best locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to ensure that every dish shines in its own right.
And finally…for those still not satisfied….Stanza also hosts excellent club nights giving you the perfect excuse to party until dawn.
Staff throughout Stanza are attentive and helpful which means visiting this bar by yourself would not be a problem. The bar tenders and waitress are full of energy, bursting with information about the beverages and cuisine. They'll also escort you to the small smokers’ terrace, if you're still struggling to kick the habit.
As well as Stanza Restaurant and Bar is the stylish and elegant private members club, named Teatro. With its own entrance, adjacent to the Stanza Bar, the Members club aims to become a top spot for fashion, film and theatre glitterati as well as guests who live and work locally. The members bar will be open from 9am to 5pm on Mondays, 9am to 3am from Tuesday to Friday and from 5pm until 3am on Saturdays.
Customer Reviews for Stanza Restaurant & Bar
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Stanza Restaurant & Bar.
“Had a great night at Stanza last weekend. For starters we ate butternut squash salad with rocket and the pan fried chicken liver salad and then followed these with the daub of beef and sea bass with winter broth. All 4 dishes were delicious, however the daube of beef with Chantenay carrots was the stand out dish of the night and can only be described as exquisite, melting in the mouth. For dessert we shared the chocolate fudge brownie with burnt ice-cream which served warm was heavenly. Overall we couldn’t really fault the venue, service was attentive and friendly, the drinks were reasonably priced and the atmosphere was buzzing without being overbearing.”
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Dan Dunford, London (7 months 14 days ago)
“A family member held their birthday here. Got to the door a few mins before 10pm - we were told it was free to get in before 10pm! The door man had no problem letting us in free then the guy at the desk inside decided to charge us - we said its not even 10pm yet - all he did was shrug his shoulders with attitude and quote 'Its my night!!'. Didnt have a problem with paying more the principle and rude attitude at the door!!! We were there for a birthday, hence the only reason we didnt walk away!!! Then to add to my fury i found out later on in the night that ladies are free before a certain time!!”
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[ Unknown ], London (9 months 5 days ago)
“What a shame! Spent many phone calls and conversations with Stanza staff booking a hen do for 24, must say was impressed with the helpful professional staff, again the meal, service, bar staff friendly helpful, however, what a total disapointment when after meal went to bar to be moved off tables after 20 mins (and even given a chair for disabled member of our party), the person involved was so rude, un-professioal and ruined the hen night which can not be put right. Have complained to the Stanza and will review the outcome, but if in the process of organizing a special event.......think twice.......have a look around.”
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[ Unknown ], gravesend (1 years 5 months 18 days ago)
“Obviously this venue has gone "downhill" since the last reviews were left! The meal was fine and the service was very good it was in the bar area after we had eaten that things went rapidly downhill! We were on a hen night (the staff were aware when we booked) but we were told that all tables in the bar area were reserved and eventually the staff said that perhaps it would be better if we took our custom elsewhere! - Not exactly the professional dealing I would have expected from such a venue!”
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[ Unknown ], Gravesend (1 years 5 months 19 days ago)
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Stanza Restaurant & Bar Opening Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 12:00 - 03:00
- Wednesday: 12:00 - 03:00
- Thursday: 12:00 - 03:00
- Friday: 12:00 - 03:00
- Saturday: 12:00 - 03:00
- Sunday: Closed
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