Rep theatre cafe bar

Sadly, this place has gone rather downhill of late (I'm writing this after having the second or third unsatisfactory meal there in a row, on the evening of 8/6/12). The food is usually top notch (albeit from a limited menu) but I have to agree with the comment above that the staff are sometimes unnecessarily chippy and aloof, and fail to create a warm atmosphere in which to have your meal. I've also noticed small details going awry: dirty cutlery and glasses, menu items not being available, and an ever-shrinking selection of draught beers. These small things would be fine, were they not combined with a staff who seem *very* reluctant to help, and indeed tell small half-truths if it means making their life easier. Case in point: one member of staff listed four draught beers to one of my table guests, but when another waiter was later asked to remind us what those beers were, we were informed there were in fact only three available, that there were never, and have never been four. And as per the rest of the evening's service, he seemed put out that we'd bothered him with the question in the first place.

So, there it is. Small menu, some shabbiness around the edges, and an occasionally chippy, unwelcoming staff. Maybe they're just having an "off" period, I dunno. What I will say is that when I've seen this sort of behaviour in other restaurants in the area, a change of owners (or closure) was almost always imminent. And that would be a shame, because I've had some nice times at the Rep Cafe.  But until they start punching their weight again, I'll be taking my business to the buzzier, slicker DCA.

Have mixed feelings about this place.
While all the food Ive had from here is tasty, the staff can be a bit off putting.
For example, depending on where you are sat, they kind of tend to stare at you from the bar area, whispering at each other while looking at you, which yeah sounds mega paranoid but it really really puts me off!
They also tend to contradict themselves. We were given a restricted menu instead of the usual menu over the Christmas period. Fair enough. However, upon trying to order something off said restricted menu, we were told we couldnt have it, restricted menu contents only, we dont have that....Eeeerrrrr thats where we're reading it from dude.
Was very bizarre.
If you can put up with abruptness and starey staff, go for it. The food is pretty nice.

Although this is the Local Repratory Theatre, It has a fantastic Restaurant and gallery bar. Although the food is not nouvelle cuisine it is all freshly cooked and very reasonabley priced. The food is actually pretty good and the menu is varied. Drink prices, including the bottles of wine are also reasonable. The upstairs bar overlooks the main restaurant and is not as busy (apart from show nights) as it should be. Well worth a visit for couples, friends, family or a simple night out. Love it.