Louie

Louie is the first-floor restaurant of House of Louie on West Street, by Cambridge Circus between Soho and Covent Garden, and describes itself as an elegant, timeless French restaurant. It is a lively, design-led room that draws a smart crowd from the surrounding theatres and hotels, and live music is built into every evening rather than added as an occasional extra.

The menu brings new life to classic French cuisine: oysters, carpaccio, the house's signature cocotte and reimagined French desserts such as Paris-Brest, served in a French brasserie setting of velvet seating, layered textures and atmospheric lighting. Piano and vocalist performances carry the evening, and the Alligator Bar downstairs takes bookings for drinks in its own right.

Live music restaurant in Covent Garden

Louie is as much about the room as the plate. Jazz and piano run through dinner, conversation and celebration, which makes it suit an occasion, a long dinner or a late drink as much as a straightforward meal. A private dining room with a grand fireplace captures the spirit of a members' club for seated dinners, Champagne receptions and celebrations behind closed doors.

What to expect on a visit

The restaurant runs Tuesday to Saturday, with a pre-theatre sitting from 5pm to 7pm and dinner and music from 5pm until late. Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden stations are all within walking distance, and the nearest car park is on Shelton Street. Book ahead for dinner and expect a dressed-up room. It is the most musical entry among Covent Garden's fine dining restaurants; for quieter French cooking a few streets away, try Le Garrick on Garrick Street. For jazz dining in Covent Garden, Louie is at its best after dark.