For me, good drink is almost as important a part of a great meal as the food itself, but at Christmas this seems especially so. A warming glass (or two) of mulled wine is a lovely idea before setting out into the wintry evening; there are special Christmas ales available at this time of year; full-bodied, strong red wines are all the more tempting; and a brandy or festive cocktail is almost necessary before leaving the restaurant and heading back out into the cold night.

A Christmas meal at The Pitcher and Piano was no exception to this tipsy festive trend. Glasses of home-made pre-dinner mulled wine meant that once we actually got to the restaurant I was glad I had chosen my courses in advance, as I was probably not capable of making important gastronomic choices. I was however able to study the wine list, which was a pleasant surprise and there were actually some interesting, good wines available. In the end I chose the Trivento Malbec and it didn’t disappoint, it was a perfect festive red wine; rich, strong and spicy. Sadly this was the only highlight of the dinner; luckily it helped to dull my remembrance of the food itself.

I do remember my chicken paté arriving and I’m pretty sure it was awful but I ate it. I was pretty hungry. I was definitely more struck by the prawn starter that someone else had. I have checked since, and on the menu it is described as ‘buttered prawns with a tarragon, pea and warm potato salad’ which sounds delicious. It was however, some boiled potatoes and peas with what looked and tasted like defrosted Iceland Value prawns scattered on top. More wine was needed. The mains weren’t particularly offensive but nobody was that pleased either. There were definitely complaints about food being cold and there was a slightly metallic, pre-packaged taste to the sauces. Dessert was OK. Cue more Malbec. I do remember nicking a miniature glittery Christmas tree.

Comments from fellow diners have included more positivity regarding the drink, pleasant Christmas themed cocktails and decent beer, but few redeeming remarks about the food. The meal wasn’t ridiculously expensive, but if I was to judge the Piano’s food quality by their Christmas menu then their usual menu is overpriced. The drink wasn’t cheap, but was it was good. I would suggest The Pitcher and Piano as somewhere to go for a drink before heading to somewhere better in the Oxford Street area for dinner.