Boulevard Dining Room review by Drew Sarich
I am currently performing in the West End production of Les Miserables at The Queen's Theater. Boulevard has been our post-show refuge for months. I must say we have always been quite satisfied. Of course, the menu is somewhat overpriced for food that you can get practically anywhere else, and on weekend evenings the stereo can be a touch too loud to be able to hold a conversation. That said, it has always been our place for a quick drink and (on the odd occasion that we got there before the kitchen closed!) nibbles. Hey, we're actors! We can make ourselves comfortable in any setting. We have, in time, become quite familiar with the waitstaff. The have always been topnotch. It felt like home to us.
That was until two weeks ago. It was a Saturday evening. Five castmates and I had been given a table at the front of the establishment. A bottle of wine and a few beers were ordered, and we were enjoying a leisurely end of the week chat before going our separate ways for a Sunday off.
Twenty-five minutes into our stay, we were approached by a gentleman who seemed to be in management. I say "seemed" because, in the months that I have frequented Boulevard, I had never seen him before. The gentleman informed us that there was a table in the back, where we could adjourn. We promptly asked for an explanation. We were quite comfortable. And in the past 6 months or so that we had been regulars there, we'd never been asked to move from a table...to the back! We were then informed that we were disturbing the "diners". This had to be investigated! The only guests eating in our section, were two gentlemen seated two tables away, completely oblivious to anything but their Boulevard Burgers. The kitchen had closed as well. It was now past 11pm! The gentleman insisted we pick up our wine bottle and cocktails, and trek through a very crowded Saturday night Bar to the rear of the establishment. We answered with, "No Thank You," and that we would finish our drinks and leave. We were greeted with, "Hey, that's your choice!" It was, at that. Upon leaving, I approached the gentleman. I Informed him of the frequency of our past visits. I then added that I, as a regular patron, was insulted. We have ALWAYS treated the staff and bar itself with respect. It was practically our canteen! I would understand the removal of a rowdy bunch. I would understand if property had been damaged or there had been complaints. This was not the case. We had been sitting twenty-five minutes with a bottle of wine. We loved coming, but we would NOT return! I received a shrug of his shoulders and a "Good Night, Sir".
Judging from several of the reviews on this site, I would think BOULEVARD would be happy and PROUD to have patrons who come back as often as we had. Patrons who are in the media, and recommend restaurants to guests of this well visited show. I wish them luck, for they will not receive any more visits from myself or other members of our cast!
Friday, May 02, 2008
Overall rating 
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
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