"I arrived 10 mins early for our 8pm booking so, as my partner was running late, I sat at the bar to order 2 Dirty Martinis, so his would be ready on arrival. It is lucky the wall behind the bottles is mirrored, as I had to keep checking to make sure that at a chunky 185lbs, I wasnt suddenly invisible... Several barmen went about their duties and having served the guests to my right, then having a natter among themselves, they then asked the couple if they wanted another drink, while I again checked the mirror to make sure I hadn 't been the subject of some scientific experiment, but NO! I was definitely still there! By 8.12 my partner arrived and I still had not been served so we decided to go straight to the table. The Maitre-d ' didn 't seem surprised and told me our table waiter would be able to get our cocktails... Frankly, for me the cocktail moment had passed and I was ready to order a bottle of wine for the meal, but my partner took the opportunity to order the 2 Martinis. The shared charcuterie board came with 3 half slices of light toast .. 3 on a shared platter seemed strange but when requested more bread came quickly. The quality of meat and additions were excellent and it was a most enjoyable starter. There are some very decent wines at low cost, as well as the usual offerings around double the price. But our Nero D 'avola was just right. I had a succulent Chicken Milanese and my partner enjoyed his Macaroni Cheese. The service was excellent, the waiter was attentive and friendly, and we were not being rushed to leave so we ordered one desert to share. The Pecan pie was amazing. It wasn 't the usual sickly sweet offering elsewhere, and the salted caramel ice cream that accompanied it was superb. Again we were not being rushed, but encouraged instead to finish the last of our wine at leisure.. It was a very enjoyable evening and it reminded me of my first ever date at the old venue some 35 years ago. In those days my date knew a famous actress and soap star who was a frequent visitor to Joe Allen. We were often invited to join her table or take adjacent seats. Joe Allen has lost none of its charm, but I did much prefer the bigger bar and being able to hear the pianist, who apparently was playing while we were there. As Arnie said.... I 'll be back... though I may grab a Martini or Marguerita somewhere else, first."
