The Footstool Restaurant

Very nice setting in the crypt of the old St John's church and service was pleasant and fairly efficient. However the food was well below expectations even for a 'special' two course deal for £15. The menu is very limited and the starter consisted entirely of green beans and some very nasty picked mushrooms - horrible. The main course of salmon fishcakes was quite nice but consisted of a great deal of mashed potato and very little salmon. we didnt bother with a pudding but of the three on offer, one was already finished at 7.30. Seems to me they are making a pretty healthy profit out of £15 with ingredients like these. Also, their website does not make clear that the restaurant is actually not open during the performance so our arrival at 7.30 (when the performance starts)caused a bit of controversy. However, they were kind enough to let us eat - we were the only people there!

A group of nine of us came for a lunchtime meal and when we explained we hadn't booked, it was made very clear to us that we should have - the restaurant was not even half full. A nice setting with arched brickwork ceilings, there were a great deal of staff who were fairly attentive. A little over-pretentious, we were asked to taste the water to test its temperature(!), the menu was limited and the buffet choices actually meant you selected from a buffet menu and they brought it to you. We waited a considerable time for our food despite most of it consisting of salad main courses. One of the few hot meals had to be sent back to be reheated. The food was pleasant enough, not over generous with portions. The coffees took an age to arrive too and were lukewarm. We paid with a combination of cash and card and when the pin machine was brought, were asked by the waitress if the tip was included in the cash portion. Err, here's a tip - speed up and heat your food and drink properly!