Name: The Cut Bar & Restaurant
Address: Young Vic, 66 The Cut, London, Southwark, SE1 8LZ, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7928 4400
Rating: 9

Several people had mentioned to me that the bar here was a really lively meeting place – and some had even said that they had enjoyed it so much that they had even stayed the entire evening. So knowing that I was going to check out the details for the King Lear production (with Pete Postlewaite) I urged my friend to meet me there for a quick, mid week lunch.

At first I was a bit confused as to whether I had to enter the theatre doors or whether there was a separate entrance but I found my way in without difficulty. The downstairs bar is really large with low level wooden seating and the odd sofa. Comfortably scruffy and what you would expect for a self-respecting edgy theatre bar.

I took the large open wooden stairs to the upper level as it was a bright, sunshiny day and the terrace up there looked inviting. And so it was – through large glass doors from an equally spacious interior bar area.

Whilst the single sheet menus indicated that you needed to order at the bar, a friendly (Polish?) waiter was quickly at our sides to see what drinks we wanted.

I started my meal with a saffron risotto with parmesan and pistachio dust (which they had helpfully noted was cooked in chicken stock to warn the vegetarians) – a bargain at £6 as you could see probably that much worth of saffron threads in the dish. It was really very good and I would have been impressed to have found it in a Michelin star restaurant.

My friend, who was less hungry, chose the soup of the day which was a fabulous tomato and herb concoction – and unbelievably priced at £3.50 – and the dark bread it came with was an experience on its own. Suspecting we would need more carbs we had even ordered a side dish of chips (£2.20) and these were fat cut and cooked just the way that they should be. And enough for two. They even offered mayonnaise and ketchup to go with them.

Sitting on that terrace, with the sun on backs and The Cut’s medley of people strolling by below and a cigarette in hand (so rare to be able to combine smoking , drinking and eating these days) we agreed that it would most likely become a regular spot – whether we were up for a coffee, a couple of drinks or a more substantial meal. Particularly as there were a number of other items on the menu that we really wanted to try – including grilled Portobello mushroom with jura cheese, jerk chicken, whole soft shell crab, roast pumpkin and steamed Shetland Mussels. And not forgetting, of course, the productions that are being presented in the theatre - almost forgot we were in a theatre bar there!

What a find!

Monday	Open 09:00 - Closes 23:00
Tuesday	Open 09:00 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday	Open 09:00 - Closes 23:00
Thursday	Open 09:00 - Closes 23:00
Friday	Open 09:00 - Closes 23:00
Saturday	Open 10:00 - Closes 23:00
Sunday	Closed

The Cut Bar & Restaurant

Disabled Facilities

Children Welcome

Credit Cards Accepted

Music Played

Outdoor Area

Booking Advisable

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