We had high expectations of Mon Plaisir. Almost ten years ago it was the scene of our first kiss and one of our very first dinners together. So we thought it would be a fitting place to take Jack for lunch after Room on the Broom at the Garrick theatre.

The decor hadn’t changed a bit. It looks so French it could almost be a parody of the real thing, if it weren’t for the fact that the staff are indeed French and the restaurant is where De Gaulle ate during wartime exile.

Before Jack arrived my only experience of Christopher’s had been business lunches. Its American-style surf and turf menu, efficient service and great location make it a perfect choice for that kind of dining.

Not surprisingly I wasn’t convinced it would be an ideal choice with a baby in tow. We picked a weekend lunchtime which turned out to be a popular time to go with kids as we weren’t the only ones. The restaurant is up a set of spiral steps to it’s best to leave the buggy downstairs. It is advisable to take the baby with you, though

Joe Allen’s has built an enviable reputation for pre- and post-theatre dining both in London and New York. If you go late you can usually spot a West End or Broadway star or two who are likely to have come straight from the theatre. Maybe it is precisely because they are used to feeding people at slightly unusual hours and dealing with people who just want a nice meal and good company, that they are good with children and babies