Diary: Let's do lunch - The Ivy

For years, The Ivy has been doing its own, quietly classy, thing. If we've all heard so much about it (and I've never had anyone turn down an invitation to lunch there), that's not because The Ivy blows its own trumpet. Like all the best places, it doesn't need to make great claims for itself - its guests are perfectly happy to do that.

Almost 90 years ago, the actress Alice Delysia christened the West Street restaurant by promising to cling to it 'like the ivy'. Guests have been doing so ever since, beguiled by its combination of elegance and comfort, grandeur and homeliness, discretion and glamour.

People say its glory days as a theatre restaurant are over, and that it's all PR men these days. Well, as far as I can tell from my regular table, no one seems to have mentioned that to Nicole Kidman or Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

Although the six-month waiting list - for some - may tell a different story, there's plenty of room for us all, Theatreland and PR world alike.

And of course, clients love it. Not just for the atmosphere and the company - but also, importantly for a restaurant I suppose, for the service, the food and the wine.

Where: 1 West Street, Covent Garden, WC2

Contact: 020 7836 4751

How much: £30 - £40 per head