The Footstool

Set in lovely St John's Smith Square, The Footstool gets its name from a story that when the architect consulted Queen Anne in the early 18th century about the design of the new church, she kicked over her footstool and said, 'It should look like that.'

Hence the four towers. St John's is now one of London's premiere classical music venues. The Footstool is a modern, atmospheric restaurant with bags of ambience set amidst the brick arches of the crypt. Open for lunch and in the evenings when there is a concert (the strains of music wafting around overhead add to the atmosphere), the restaurant attracts a loyal crowd from the Westminster village who enjoy its modern British menu.

Dishes include starter of little leek and Westcoombe farm cheddar tart, main course of pepper tuna with sauteed potatoes and wilted red chicory with rhubarb compote, and dessert of treacle tart with ice cream. Good vegetarian choices and yes, there is a bar.