Salieri Restaurant

Situated half way along the Strand, one’s first impression of Salieri is the spectacular array of enormous pot plants outside this striking restaurant. The interior is equally compelling with décor of puppets, mirrors, masks, theatrical memorabilia and photographs.

An interesting place and an interesting restaurant setting out to provide good European cuisine at reasonable prices. There is a choice of a dozen or so dishes in each section of the menu: starters include burgundy snails, smoked salmon mousse, grilled Mediterranean prawns with olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Fresh pasta abounds in a variety of forms including pappardelle alla Orzen, which is pasta with cream, smoked salmon, asparagus, wild mushrooms and red peppers. Fish dishes include two lobster courses to die for – the Thermidor and Newburg whilst the entrees offer such delights as roast duckling in orange sauce with black cherries, two succulent lamb dishes and tournedos of fillet of beef with Madeira sauce. There is a choice of six grillades and the vegetarian is not forgotten with suggestions such as nut Wellington Provencal and crepes farcies Salieri.

Main courses cost about £12 with pasta around £8.50 and starters about £5 average. As always, a judicious reading of the menu will produce a range of price but Salieri offers an inventive choice of set price meals with the Salieri Special menu for two for £21 per person and a three course theatre dinner costing £16.45. Sunday lunch costs £12.50 for three courses and there is a children’s Sunday lunch for £7.50.

These are very good value but where this restaurant excels completely is in offering a business lunch for £7 for two courses including smoked salmon mousse and beef bourguignon or terrine of salmon decorated with quail eggs, caviar plus chicken curry. Lunchtime wine offers are also wonderful with truly excellent Chablis for £15 per bottle and half bottles of Muscadet and Cote de Rhone for £6.

This is unbeatable value, added to which one is at Salieri, a comfortable, relaxing, entertaining restaurant and always a pleasure to visit.