How often have you been to a restaurant where there's a pianist playing?

[PinkieTuscadero]

I never have but I'm watching a Hugh Grant film, y'know, the one where he plays a bumbling Englishman in America, and he's on a date in a restaurant where there's someone tinkling away on the ivories. And it occurred to me that there is nearly always a restaurant pianist in American films. So are they really that common in America or is it just a thing films do to create a bit of romantic ambience?

Used to have one at Kettners. No where else that I remember. Eaten at many nice restaurants in the UK, but none in the USA yet so maybe it is a thing there?

Have been shocked by opera singers suddenly bursting into song in an Italian restaurant in Croydon though.

Is there always a pianist in Brown's or is it just special occasions?

I've always wanted to eat somewhere that does this but up until about 2 minutes ago assumed that those places would be either expensive or heavily steak-focused (I'm vegetarian).

One recent years, Boisdale (there are a few of them in London) and another place which I think was on the Strand.

Only one that springs to mind and that's the brasserie at the Oxo Tower.

My friend is a pianist for too restaraunts in London so it happens quite a lot as she is busy

Cafe Central in Vienna..it was lovely.

My piano teacher is a retired ABRSM examiner and she dreads restaurants with a pianist as she can’t stop herself ‘marking’ them.

I mean to herself - she doesn’t go up to the pianist and give him marks.

Twice. London. Krakow. Both fabulous.