London - Axis
Summer 2009
Frank's view 
Not for a romantic twosome
In the underworld of One Aldwych, the swish London hotel, sits Axis restaurant.
Enter via a separate door on the corner of Catherine Street and immediately drop down the stairs to the reception area where there is also a private dining room for 20. A further stark staircase takes you to the bowels of the hotel and the main dining room. The décor is simple with the centrepiece being a threatening battalion of metal bamboo shaped poles, which divide the dining area from the kitchen and restrooms.
We arrived just after 5.30pm, within minutes of the restaurant opening, for a pre-Theatre dinner. A number of tables were already occupied, several with young children. There was a choice of three starters and three mains. All were beautifully presented, a wasted effort by the chef as whingy 8 year olds stared blankly and asked for pizza.
At £15.95 for two courses and £19.95 for three, the food is fairly priced but if you add in drinks the bill can rapidly rocket skywards. A bottle of water is £3.95 and wine by the glass is around £8 on average.
Axis does seem to be targeting the theatre market, weddings and corporate dining. It’s not a place for a romantic dinner for two.
Axis
One Aldwych
London WC2
020 7300 1000
Link to Axis
Enter via a separate door on the corner of Catherine Street and immediately drop down the stairs to the reception area where there is also a private dining room for 20. A further stark staircase takes you to the bowels of the hotel and the main dining room. The décor is simple with the centrepiece being a threatening battalion of metal bamboo shaped poles, which divide the dining area from the kitchen and restrooms.
We arrived just after 5.30pm, within minutes of the restaurant opening, for a pre-Theatre dinner. A number of tables were already occupied, several with young children. There was a choice of three starters and three mains. All were beautifully presented, a wasted effort by the chef as whingy 8 year olds stared blankly and asked for pizza.
At £15.95 for two courses and £19.95 for three, the food is fairly priced but if you add in drinks the bill can rapidly rocket skywards. A bottle of water is £3.95 and wine by the glass is around £8 on average.
Axis does seem to be targeting the theatre market, weddings and corporate dining. It’s not a place for a romantic dinner for two.
Axis
One Aldwych
London WC2
020 7300 1000
Link to Axis
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
