Teacups and Sauces: Pret A Diner - 'Italian's Do It Better'

Ready to Dine - at 50 St James Street

I hesitated before booking in for the Pret-a-Diner pop-up restaurant experience (their tagline reads: 'This is not a pop-up restaurant, this is a dining experience'), wondering if we were going to be paying for a gimmicky night with all style over substance. However, it did sound rather interesting and hey, the world is going to end in six months right. The concept was born in Berlin and moves around the world and with different themes.

This years theme was 'Italian's Do It Better', and promised Italian artists, music and of course food by various Italian chefs both in London and Italy. Upon walking up the stairs we are greeted by a red cross apparently made up of 500 red LED lights. The dining room itself is made to look like a basketball court (sort of) with fences and 'graffiti' on the walls. The wooden tables were decked out with candles and flowers and as always we were in the naughty corner.

Starting with an amuse bouche of a creamy apple and celery substance and tuna tartare and warm bread rolls in brown paper bags that were ripped open. For the three courses (2 starters/1 main with dessert and wine extra), we were given a choice between a traditional menu or a creative menu. We were also able to switch the courses over or 'upgrade' the main to a particular type of beef for an extra 13pounds - which we later discovered was well worth it, definitely the best dish of the night. I chose the creative menu and would say 2 out of 3 courses were better than the traditional menu. Dessert was rather disappointing for both. We tried but failed to get hold of the menu in the end so I only have memory to go off!

Two musical acts performed whilst we were there - first was a girl named Zara Kershaw who performed some covers and a song or two of her own. As much as the guys wanted to request, I don't think she was going to do Call Me Maybe. The other act was a guy by the name Hypo-potamus - I have no idea how to spell it but it wasn't hippopotamus. A beatbox? kinda act with some jungle-like sounds complete with Capoeira swaying movements, it was surprisingly intriguing and captivating.

Whilst not something you would do everyday and by far not the best simple, nor creative Italian food to be had - the service, music, setting, combined with the the food, company and even a birthday wish - rounded up the evening rather nicely. Next stop...Berlin...