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29/04/2010 - Food Review: Docklands Bar and Grill
By Simon Hayes on April 29, 2010 11:57 AM
WATERSIDE DINING
The Docklands Bar and Grill
4/5
IN A NUTSHELL
Laid back lunches the order of the day for anyone looking to while away some time in the Royal Docks.
REVIEW
Spring has finally sprung and with the sun shining there's no better place to be than down by the water.
This part of London is spoiled for choice when it comes to dining by the docks, but if it's seasonal food you are after then the Docklands Bar and Grill could be the place to visit.
Tucked away next to the Crowne Plaza hotel in the Royal Docks, the restaurant has been rapidly gaining a good reputation for its high-quality food at affordable prices.
Ambience-wise it's nothing spectacular, but then it's in a hotel so that's not really surprising. But the restaurant is light and airy and not too busy. It has the added benefit of tables that are not packed together - ideal for those confidential business discussions.
What considerably adds to the experience is the warm welcome from the staff. Throughout the meal they are attentive and informative, without being overbearing. A definite plus.
Head chef Olivier Ruiz launched the restaurant's Spring menu a couple of weeks ago, offering plenty of seasonal choice. On the day The Wharf visited some of the house specials were off, including the poached monkfish (£17.95), but there was still plenty of good food to be had.
Starters include smoked eel, baby beetroot and horseradish (£7.25), watercress and broad bean soup (£4.50) and scallops with black pudding and pancetta (£7.95).
The soup was lovely. Piping hot, it's generous depths were buttery and flavoursome, yielding up the little green jewels of the beans.
Scallops and black pudding is a tried and trusted combo on menus the world over, and this version was decent if not outstanding. The scallops were meaty and tasted fresh, but the accompanying pancetta-wrapped black pudding lacked punch.
Main courses at the Grill are, as the name suggests, ideal for carnivores. Whether the huge porterhouse steak (£43.95 for two to share) is your thing, or perhaps a more modest cumberland sausage with mash and gravy (£10.75), there's something for every budget.
Try the osso buco (£14.95) as it's very good indeed. The tender veal melts in the mouth, with a good texture and excellent flavour. It's served with dumplings for those who fancy a change to spuds for their lunch.
One quibble might be that the vegetarian options are a bit limited, especially when the fish specials are off. But there are plenty of salads, such as Nicoise, which can be had as a starters or mains (£7.50/9.50).
Desserts (all £5.50) include an excellent rhubarb and apple trifle and a deliciously retro Black Forest gateaux.
The wine list is shortish, but offers a good range to suit all palates. It leans heavily towards the New World, and the Chilean Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (£22) is a good choice.
The lower priced wines are also offered by the glass - ideal for those more health-concious diners - while there is an extensive cocktail selection for the more adventurous imbiber.
Overall the Docklands Bar and Grill is a decent destination, particularly for a business lunch.
With views across the Dock it's a peaceful place to spend an hour or two on a sunny afternoon, particularly when volcanoes in Iceland clear the skies of intrusive plane noise from nearby City Airport.
Healthy option:
Why not shun a salad for something more interesting, such as a grilled salmon steak with new potatoes and bearnaise sauce (£12.75).
While the sauce may bump up the calorie count, the perfectly cooked salmon and lovely, fluffy potatoes - sadly not Jersey Royals the day we went - will certainly please your inner
Add in side portions of spring greens with soya sauce and garlic and green beans with shallots (both £2.95), and you've almost had your five-a-day in one sitting.
RATINGS:
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Convenience: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
WATERSIDE DINING
The Docklands Bar and Grill
4/5
IN A NUTSHELL
Laid back lunches the order of the day for anyone looking to while away some time in the Royal Docks.
REVIEW
Spring has finally sprung and with the sun shining there's no better place to be than down by the water.
This part of London is spoiled for choice when it comes to dining by the docks, but if it's seasonal food you are after then the Docklands Bar and Grill could be the place to visit.
Tucked away next to the Crowne Plaza hotel in the Royal Docks, the restaurant has been rapidly gaining a good reputation for its high-quality food at affordable prices.
Ambience-wise it's nothing spectacular, but then it's in a hotel so that's not really surprising. But the restaurant is light and airy and not too busy. It has the added benefit of tables that are not packed together - ideal for those confidential business discussions.
What considerably adds to the experience is the warm welcome from the staff. Throughout the meal they are attentive and informative, without being overbearing. A definite plus.
Head chef Olivier Ruiz launched the restaurant's Spring menu a couple of weeks ago, offering plenty of seasonal choice. On the day The Wharf visited some of the house specials were off, including the poached monkfish (£17.95), but there was still plenty of good food to be had.
Starters include smoked eel, baby beetroot and horseradish (£7.25), watercress and broad bean soup (£4.50) and scallops with black pudding and pancetta (£7.95).
The soup was lovely. Piping hot, it's generous depths were buttery and flavoursome, yielding up the little green jewels of the beans.
Scallops and black pudding is a tried and trusted combo on menus the world over, and this version was decent if not outstanding. The scallops were meaty and tasted fresh, but the accompanying pancetta-wrapped black pudding lacked punch.
Main courses at the Grill are, as the name suggests, ideal for carnivores. Whether the huge porterhouse steak (£43.95 for two to share) is your thing, or perhaps a more modest cumberland sausage with mash and gravy (£10.75), there's something for every budget.
Try the osso buco (£14.95) as it's very good indeed. The tender veal melts in the mouth, with a good texture and excellent flavour. It's served with dumplings for those who fancy a change to spuds for their lunch.
One quibble might be that the vegetarian options are a bit limited, especially when the fish specials are off. But there are plenty of salads, such as Nicoise, which can be had as a starters or mains (£7.50/9.50).
Desserts (all £5.50) include an excellent rhubarb and apple trifle and a deliciously retro Black Forest gateaux.
The wine list is shortish, but offers a good range to suit all palates. It leans heavily towards the New World, and the Chilean Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (£22) is a good choice.
The lower priced wines are also offered by the glass - ideal for those more health-concious diners - while there is an extensive cocktail selection for the more adventurous imbiber.
Overall the Docklands Bar and Grill is a decent destination, particularly for a business lunch.
With views across the Dock it's a peaceful place to spend an hour or two on a sunny afternoon, particularly when volcanoes in Iceland clear the skies of intrusive plane noise from nearby City Airport.
Healthy option:
Why not shun a salad for something more interesting, such as a grilled salmon steak with new potatoes and bearnaise sauce (£12.75).
While the sauce may bump up the calorie count, the perfectly cooked salmon and lovely, fluffy potatoes - sadly not Jersey Royals the day we went - will certainly please your inner
Add in side portions of spring greens with soya sauce and garlic and green beans with shallots (both £2.95), and you've almost had your five-a-day in one sitting.
RATINGS:
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Ambience: 3/5
Convenience: 3/5
Overall: 4/5
30/06/2009 - Docklands Bar & Grill awarded Best Modern European Restaurant
Docklands Bar & Grill restaurant wins best Modern European Restaurant category in the 2009 Archant Food & Drink Awards
Docklands Bar & Grill, at Crowne Plaza London - Docklands has been awarded Best Modern European Restaurant in the Archant 2009 Food & Drink awards. Over 650 restaurants entered and over 1.2million votes were cast in this year's competition, the largest votes to be cast in the 5 year history of the awards.
This latest award comes shortly after the restaurant received its first AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence, one of the UK most important benchmarks for food quality in restaurants.
Hasham Soliman, General Manager of Crowne Plaza London - Docklands, comments:
"as this award is voted for solely by loyal customers is it of tremendous importance to us, we are delighted that the hard work and commitment to food excellence of our Head Chef Olivier Ruiz and his team, as well as that of the front of house team managed by Diana Gailiunaite have been recognised, winning one of these coveted awards"
Docklands Bar & Grill, at Crowne Plaza London - Docklands has been awarded Best Modern European Restaurant in the Archant 2009 Food & Drink awards. Over 650 restaurants entered and over 1.2million votes were cast in this year's competition, the largest votes to be cast in the 5 year history of the awards.This latest award comes shortly after the restaurant received its first AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence, one of the UK most important benchmarks for food quality in restaurants.
Hasham Soliman, General Manager of Crowne Plaza London - Docklands, comments:
"as this award is voted for solely by loyal customers is it of tremendous importance to us, we are delighted that the hard work and commitment to food excellence of our Head Chef Olivier Ruiz and his team, as well as that of the front of house team managed by Diana Gailiunaite have been recognised, winning one of these coveted awards"
The restaurant serves traditional British and European fare, using ingredients that are locally sourced, fresh and of the best quality. This summer, enjoy the sunshine and dine al-fresco at the waterfront terrace, overlooking Royal Victoria Dock.
22/06/2009 - Docklands Bar & Grill receives its first AA Rosette Award
Docklands Bar & Grill, at Crowne Plaza London - Docklands has been awarded its first AA Rosette for culinary excellence in the new AA Restaurant Guide 2009. AA Rosette Awards have become one of the UK most important benchmarks for food quality in restaurants, with leading chefs recognising the fairness and authority of the awards. Hasham Soliman, General Manager of Crowne Plaza London - Docklands, comments: “achieving this award so soon after the opening of Docklands Bar & Grill in November 2008 is of great importance, we are delighted that the hard work and commitment to food excellence of our Head Chef Olivier Ruiz and his team, as well as that of the front of house team managed by Diana Gailiunaite have been recognised by the this prestigious and renowned award” The restaurant serves traditional British and European fare, using ingredients that are locally sourced, fresh and of the best quality. This summer, enjoy the sunshine and dine al-fresco at the waterfront terrace, overlooking Royal Victoria Dock. For a limited time from 1st July, Docklands Bar & Grill will be offering a special lunch menu of Docklands Seafood platter and fresh strawberries in mint honey wine plus a complimentary glass of Prosecco for only £9.95.
29/04/2009 09:00:00 - Best value in Docklands; The Docklands
Bars and restaurants have had to adjust to people's spending habits in these trying times. Those that do will keep their heads above water until conditions improve while those that refuse to - or even worse - don't think to, will remain empty and go the way of the Dodo.
It's sad but I can think of at least one prominent Docklands eaterie that has stuck its head in the sand in just such a way - it's like eating in a mausoleum at the moment.
Thankfully there are places out there with their wits about them or, in the case of the Crowne Plaza's Docklands Bar and Grill, leading the way forward.
In a bid to get punters through the door (or at least into its wonderful little sun terrace) the restaurant is offering a homemade burger and chips for £5.95. Now if this were a trip to McDonald's then £5.95 wouldn't seem that much of a bargain. However, here in E16 you have a choice of beef, venison, chicken, lamb or veggie with meat from award-winning butcher Aubrey Allen and that doesn't come cheap.
The burgers are gorgeous -juicy and plump - and cooked to perfection. The venison burger arrives topped with fat slices of bacon and packed with flavour while the chicken fillet is a quality piece of meat. Served on wooden chopping boards the burgers come with chunky, skin-on chips (which I would have liked slightly crispier), a pot of what tasted like sweet, homemade gherkins and sauces.
For less than six quid, at a four-star hotel in Docklands, you simply cannot fault this food or the value. If I were being terribly cynical, I might suggest the restaurant was selling these at cost in the hope that the diners might decide to splash out on a bottle of wine or a few beers to help while away a sunny afternoon overlooking the water. It's a tempting proposition, believe me. I had an afternoon meeting of forecasts and performance indicators to 'look forward to' and had to be virtually prised out of my seat in the sun.
Either way, Docklands Bar and Grill deserves praise; it's a forward-thinking solution that is bound to bring in business and offers the best value lunch in Docklands. The burger deal is available weekdays from 11.30am to 5pm until June 30.
It's sad but I can think of at least one prominent Docklands eaterie that has stuck its head in the sand in just such a way - it's like eating in a mausoleum at the moment.
Thankfully there are places out there with their wits about them or, in the case of the Crowne Plaza's Docklands Bar and Grill, leading the way forward.
In a bid to get punters through the door (or at least into its wonderful little sun terrace) the restaurant is offering a homemade burger and chips for £5.95. Now if this were a trip to McDonald's then £5.95 wouldn't seem that much of a bargain. However, here in E16 you have a choice of beef, venison, chicken, lamb or veggie with meat from award-winning butcher Aubrey Allen and that doesn't come cheap.
The burgers are gorgeous -juicy and plump - and cooked to perfection. The venison burger arrives topped with fat slices of bacon and packed with flavour while the chicken fillet is a quality piece of meat. Served on wooden chopping boards the burgers come with chunky, skin-on chips (which I would have liked slightly crispier), a pot of what tasted like sweet, homemade gherkins and sauces.
For less than six quid, at a four-star hotel in Docklands, you simply cannot fault this food or the value. If I were being terribly cynical, I might suggest the restaurant was selling these at cost in the hope that the diners might decide to splash out on a bottle of wine or a few beers to help while away a sunny afternoon overlooking the water. It's a tempting proposition, believe me. I had an afternoon meeting of forecasts and performance indicators to 'look forward to' and had to be virtually prised out of my seat in the sun.
Either way, Docklands Bar and Grill deserves praise; it's a forward-thinking solution that is bound to bring in business and offers the best value lunch in Docklands. The burger deal is available weekdays from 11.30am to 5pm until June 30.
20/03/2009 09:00:00 - Fluid Eating; British Finest Restaurants
The Docklands Bar & Grill serves traditional British and European dishes as well as some delicious new creations, all at good value. Key is that all ingredients are locally sourced, fresh and of the best quality.
The seasonal menu with daily changing food and wine specials will be served throughout the day until late in the restaurant and the bar, as well as on the covered terrace. Whichever you choose, the knowledgeable staff will be there to serve you in a friendly way.
Features are two conservatories with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf, perfect for romantic dining or a group booking. There is an outside cooking station, great for BBQs and special events.
The brasserie style restaurant with its comfortable lounge is open for lunch and dinner, excellent for family dining as well as corporate parties (Wi-Fi is available throughout). The long, bright, open bar with its impressive chandeliers, is open till late and serves Prosecco from tap, 18 different beers and imaginative cocktails, all with the perfect dockside backdrop.
During the day, the open and airy bar is the perfect place for a quiet cup of coffee or a corporate lunch, with the floor to ceiling windows providing amazing views of Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf. You will never miss out, as they serve their entire food menu all day in the bar!
Come night-time, the long bar and the spacious earthy coloured alcoves, provide a warm atmosphere, perfect for some pre dinner drinks or a relaxed, informal dinner. By night the lit up O2 and towers of Canary Wharf form an even more amazing, metropolitan view.
The well-trained mixologists create some of the best cocktails in East London. The list bursts with old time favourites as well as an impressive number of exciting creations. The bartenders can create your own special cocktail with your favourite taste, just ask them! As a healthier option, they have an extensive list of non-alcoholic fruit and veg mixes and shakes.
Prosecco is served from a tap, ensuring consistent quality and fresh bubbles in every glass, for only £4.75 per glass! They stock 18 different beers, draught or bottle. They have a similar impressive wine list, with a focus on exciting ‘New World’ wines. Wines are sold by the glass, bottle and a number by carafe. The wines are selected on the best quality at affordable prices.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the bar and makes it perfect to do some business in a relaxing environment. They further provide a designated, sheltered smoking area next to the terrace.
The seasonal menu with daily changing food and wine specials will be served throughout the day until late in the restaurant and the bar, as well as on the covered terrace. Whichever you choose, the knowledgeable staff will be there to serve you in a friendly way.
Features are two conservatories with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf, perfect for romantic dining or a group booking. There is an outside cooking station, great for BBQs and special events.
The brasserie style restaurant with its comfortable lounge is open for lunch and dinner, excellent for family dining as well as corporate parties (Wi-Fi is available throughout). The long, bright, open bar with its impressive chandeliers, is open till late and serves Prosecco from tap, 18 different beers and imaginative cocktails, all with the perfect dockside backdrop.
During the day, the open and airy bar is the perfect place for a quiet cup of coffee or a corporate lunch, with the floor to ceiling windows providing amazing views of Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf. You will never miss out, as they serve their entire food menu all day in the bar!
Come night-time, the long bar and the spacious earthy coloured alcoves, provide a warm atmosphere, perfect for some pre dinner drinks or a relaxed, informal dinner. By night the lit up O2 and towers of Canary Wharf form an even more amazing, metropolitan view.
The well-trained mixologists create some of the best cocktails in East London. The list bursts with old time favourites as well as an impressive number of exciting creations. The bartenders can create your own special cocktail with your favourite taste, just ask them! As a healthier option, they have an extensive list of non-alcoholic fruit and veg mixes and shakes.
Prosecco is served from a tap, ensuring consistent quality and fresh bubbles in every glass, for only £4.75 per glass! They stock 18 different beers, draught or bottle. They have a similar impressive wine list, with a focus on exciting ‘New World’ wines. Wines are sold by the glass, bottle and a number by carafe. The wines are selected on the best quality at affordable prices.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the bar and makes it perfect to do some business in a relaxing environment. They further provide a designated, sheltered smoking area next to the terrace.
01/03/2009 09:00:00 - The Guide
You might not immediately think of Canning Town as a destination for excellent cuisine, but this brasserie-style restaurant will tempt you with its excellent mix of steaks, poultry, fish and vegetarian dishes.
A swish, stylish design of dark wood, chrome and glass, the floor-to-ceiling windows look onto the historic Royal Vicroria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf. The view itself is worth the visit.
The eaterie specialises in British and European dishes, and at fairly reasonable prices. For example, the Docklands sharing plate for two of crab cakes, beef carpaccio, mozzarella & tomato with pesto, Caesar salad and steamed mussels costs £12.95.
Particularly fine is the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. It comes in a dinky little 'Le Creuset' pot, which releases mouthwatering aromas of the ocean when you lift the lid anc scoop out its contents. At first, I wasn't convinced by the combination of these seafoods together, btu the different textures and tastes complemented and contrasted with each other very well, especially in the cream, satiny sauce.
I was glad to see Black forest gateau on the menu. This much-maligned dish has returned with a vengeance, and whoever thought of the sublime trinity of chocolate, cherries and cream deserves a gold star in chef heaven.
If you're looking for a restaurant with friendly, competent service in a swanky setting for a night out, this fits the bill. A splendid contrast to olde-worlde Greenwich.
A swish, stylish design of dark wood, chrome and glass, the floor-to-ceiling windows look onto the historic Royal Vicroria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf. The view itself is worth the visit.
The eaterie specialises in British and European dishes, and at fairly reasonable prices. For example, the Docklands sharing plate for two of crab cakes, beef carpaccio, mozzarella & tomato with pesto, Caesar salad and steamed mussels costs £12.95.
Particularly fine is the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. It comes in a dinky little 'Le Creuset' pot, which releases mouthwatering aromas of the ocean when you lift the lid anc scoop out its contents. At first, I wasn't convinced by the combination of these seafoods together, btu the different textures and tastes complemented and contrasted with each other very well, especially in the cream, satiny sauce.
I was glad to see Black forest gateau on the menu. This much-maligned dish has returned with a vengeance, and whoever thought of the sublime trinity of chocolate, cherries and cream deserves a gold star in chef heaven.
If you're looking for a restaurant with friendly, competent service in a swanky setting for a night out, this fits the bill. A splendid contrast to olde-worlde Greenwich.
23/02/2009 09:00:00 - TheGuideMag.co.uk
It’s the kind of setting that you’d imagine high finance deals of the 1990s were made. Gordon Gekko, anti-hero of Wall Street would feel very comfortable here. A swish, stylish design of dark wood, chrome and glass, the floor-to-ceiling windows look onto the historic Royal Victoria Dock, the O2 and Canary Wharf. This view in itself is worth the visit.
The eaterie specialises in British and European dishes, and at fairly reasonable prices. For example, the Docklands sharing plate for two of crab cakes, beef carpaccio, mozzarella & tomato with pesto, Caesar salad and steamed mussels costs £12.95.
Particularly fine is the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. It comes in a dinky little le creuset pot, which releases mouthwatering aromas of the ocean when you lift the lid and scoop out its contents. At first, I wasn’t convinced by the combination of these seafoods together, but the different textures and tastes complemented and contrasted with each other very well, especially in the cream, satiny sauce.
I was glad to see Black forest gateau on the menu. This much-maligned dish has returned with a vengeance, and whoever thought of the sublime trinity of chocolate, cherries and cream deserves a gold star in chef heaven.
So if you’re looking for a restaurant with friendly, competent service in a modern setting for a night out, this venue fit’s the bill. A splendid contrast to olde-worlde Greenwich.
The eaterie specialises in British and European dishes, and at fairly reasonable prices. For example, the Docklands sharing plate for two of crab cakes, beef carpaccio, mozzarella & tomato with pesto, Caesar salad and steamed mussels costs £12.95.
Particularly fine is the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. It comes in a dinky little le creuset pot, which releases mouthwatering aromas of the ocean when you lift the lid and scoop out its contents. At first, I wasn’t convinced by the combination of these seafoods together, but the different textures and tastes complemented and contrasted with each other very well, especially in the cream, satiny sauce.
I was glad to see Black forest gateau on the menu. This much-maligned dish has returned with a vengeance, and whoever thought of the sublime trinity of chocolate, cherries and cream deserves a gold star in chef heaven.
So if you’re looking for a restaurant with friendly, competent service in a modern setting for a night out, this venue fit’s the bill. A splendid contrast to olde-worlde Greenwich.
02/02/2009 09:00:00 - Meetings & Incentive Travel
Docklands Bar & Grill is located in the heart of the Docklands, with panoramic views of the historic Royal Victoria Dock.
Along with a weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch and one of the UK’s largest outdoor BBQs, this new restaurant is an exciting addition to the East London restaurant scene.
The restaurant offers two conservatories with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Dock, perfect for romantic dining. The al fresco terrace area is popular; fully heated in winter it is a great way to spend a relaxed afternoon. The brasserie style restaurant has a comfortable lounge and bar area where full menu service is also available.
The menu features contemporary British fayre made from the finest local and regional produce. Fish is sourced from nearby Billingsgate Market and all meat is provided by Aubrey Allan, the UK’s Meat Buyer of the Year in 2008 for Ethical Sourcing.
Savour the unique flavours of Steamed mussels, shallots & white wine before moving on to a main of Roast cod, herbs, Alsace bacon, garlic & green beans. To complete the meal treat yourself to Pear & blueberry crumble or the refreshing ice cream and sorbet selection made by Jude’s.
Along with a weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch and one of the UK’s largest outdoor BBQs, this new restaurant is an exciting addition to the East London restaurant scene.
The restaurant offers two conservatories with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Dock, perfect for romantic dining. The al fresco terrace area is popular; fully heated in winter it is a great way to spend a relaxed afternoon. The brasserie style restaurant has a comfortable lounge and bar area where full menu service is also available.
The menu features contemporary British fayre made from the finest local and regional produce. Fish is sourced from nearby Billingsgate Market and all meat is provided by Aubrey Allan, the UK’s Meat Buyer of the Year in 2008 for Ethical Sourcing.
Savour the unique flavours of Steamed mussels, shallots & white wine before moving on to a main of Roast cod, herbs, Alsace bacon, garlic & green beans. To complete the meal treat yourself to Pear & blueberry crumble or the refreshing ice cream and sorbet selection made by Jude’s.
16/01/2009 09:00:00 - One80news
I always get a little concerned about huge dining rooms and tables set without linen, wondering whether the food and presentation will reach a delightful standard.
However, the secret to success is to make sure that there is enough staff to cover such a huge dining area and the Docklands Bar & Grill does not disappoint me at all. It was service with a smile and you are treated as a VIP frim time you are met at reception until that last tantalizing black forest gateaux. The menu offers everything from soups, salads and light sandwiches to an array of grills and mains.
To keep it simple, and knowing that the Christmas season was close and I was about to gorge on loads of turkey and ham, my partner and I decided to eat tapas style. The Docklands sharing plate for two (from the starters list) was presented on a large bread board and came with crab cakes, autumn salad, Serrano ham, mozarella and tomato pesto, chicken ceasar, aubergine and Somerset brie, priced at £12.95. This is an enjoyable way to taste a variety of well-presented tapas. For mains we shared Core de Boeuf (another plate for two), served with watercress, flat mushrooms, toast tomato, bearnaise and thick cut chips. This meal was cooked to perfection and was presented once again on a wooden bread board.
Docklands Bar & Grill has a relaxed atmosphere but five star service. Make sure you leave the room for dessert and I would even recommend you stay at the Crowne Plaza London - Docklands and book in a special deal that includes a three course dinner. The Docklands offers a two course lunch for £9.95 and their Valentine's break have a 10% off offer - quote WSO9 when making your booking.
Tony
However, the secret to success is to make sure that there is enough staff to cover such a huge dining area and the Docklands Bar & Grill does not disappoint me at all. It was service with a smile and you are treated as a VIP frim time you are met at reception until that last tantalizing black forest gateaux. The menu offers everything from soups, salads and light sandwiches to an array of grills and mains.
To keep it simple, and knowing that the Christmas season was close and I was about to gorge on loads of turkey and ham, my partner and I decided to eat tapas style. The Docklands sharing plate for two (from the starters list) was presented on a large bread board and came with crab cakes, autumn salad, Serrano ham, mozarella and tomato pesto, chicken ceasar, aubergine and Somerset brie, priced at £12.95. This is an enjoyable way to taste a variety of well-presented tapas. For mains we shared Core de Boeuf (another plate for two), served with watercress, flat mushrooms, toast tomato, bearnaise and thick cut chips. This meal was cooked to perfection and was presented once again on a wooden bread board.
Docklands Bar & Grill has a relaxed atmosphere but five star service. Make sure you leave the room for dessert and I would even recommend you stay at the Crowne Plaza London - Docklands and book in a special deal that includes a three course dinner. The Docklands offers a two course lunch for £9.95 and their Valentine's break have a 10% off offer - quote WSO9 when making your booking.
Tony
15/01/2009 09:00:00 - Time Out - The Food & Drink 25
Your essential guide to all the tastiest new openings of recent weeks.
London East
Docklands Bar & Grill
Waterside restaurant that's big on provenance - fresh seafood from nearby Billingsgate Market go into a first class pie, for instance.
London East
Docklands Bar & Grill
Waterside restaurant that's big on provenance - fresh seafood from nearby Billingsgate Market go into a first class pie, for instance.
07/01/2009 09:00:00 - AboutMyGeneration
Peter Morrell, Food and Drink Editor at AMG tries the new winter menu at this sophisticated eaterie.
All the food I had eaten, either at home or as a guest at other people’s houses over Christmas and New Year had been very enjoyable. But when I had ventured out for some pub grub a couple of times, I found the experience very disappointing. An eclectic mix of tables and chairs from a second hand shop, overcoats and jackets draped over the backs of chairs, tables too close together, food that had been re-heated or seen better days, inexperienced staff, and, as for the toilets... well let’s not go there. I just didn’t feel that there was any sense of occasion.
The Docklands Bar and Grill was my first visit to a ‘proper’ restaurant in 2009 and I was really looking forward to it. And from the moment my wife and I arrived, I realised what we had been missing these past few weeks. Friendly, well trained staff, a luxurious cloakroom, an elegant high-ceilinged dining room with well spaced tables, sparkling white crockery, stylish cutlery and furniture all added up to a sophisticated eating experience.
There is a comfortable pre-dining seating area to enjoy a drink from the wide range of cocktails on offer, including the almost unique Prosecco on tap at a very reasonable £4.75 a glass. This area is screened from the main restaurant by a zig zag unit which is, in fact, a cleverly designed wine cellar.
Having been at the opening night of the Docklands Bar and Grill in November (see the review here...) and found the food samples very good, I wondered if a return visit would live up to the first night success but, I am pleased so say, this restaurant has retained its high standard.
The meal got off to a good start as the waiter offered us a tray of freshly baked bread. The Raisin and Hazelnut variety proved to be an excellent choice, although the sundried tomato bread came a close second.
The menu has some really interesting dishes and Head Chef Olivier Ruiz has worked hard to choose locally sourced, fresh ingredients to create a great selection of British and modern European favourites including some tasty looking vegetarian options. The only problem was making a choice.
After much deliberation we chose the Docklands Sharing Plate to start as this gave us an opportunity to sample a number of Starters from the menu - Crab Cakes with Aioli, Carpaccio of Beef with Parmesan and Rocket, Mozzarella and Tomato with Pesto, a Cesar Salad and steamed Mussels. These were all good, with extra ticks for the moist and flavoursome Carpaccio and the Crab Cakes that combined perfectly with the Aioli.
As this is a winter menu there were lots of warming mains and grills to choose from, such as Chicken in a Red Wine Stew, Braised Lamb Shank with Carrots and Shallots and Venison with Celeriac Puree and Blueberries. Eventually I opted for the Hamburger with Berkswell Cheese, onion compote and thick cut chips while my wife had the Scallop, Cod and Prawn Fish Pie. The pie was served in a rather neat individual pot, crammed with seafood in a creamy cheese sauce. The hamburger was really meaty and the chips were cooked to perfection and tasted wonderfully home-made.
Full as we were, we just had to try the puddings. My wife gave full marks to the satisfying Rhubarb Compote with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream while my three scoop ice cream selection of Chocolate, Vanilla and Winter Warmer was also rich and creamy, with the latter adding a spicy warmth. The ice cream is all sourced from the boutique producer, Judes in Hampshire. For those without a sweet tooth there is a seasonal selection of English cheeses.
The wine list has a very international flavour, with an interesting range of old and new world wines. Our choice was a South African 2008 Kleine Zalze Gamay Noir, very good value at £17.00. This wine, from a vineyard just outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, was a perfect accompaniment to the meal. It was light enough to go with the fish but with the flavour to complement the meat. It had a strong bouquet of ripe strawberry and cherry flavours with an added touch of sweet banana on the palate and a long satisfying aftertaste.
The Docklands Bar and Grill is in the four star Crowne Plaza Hotel, a short stroll away from the ExCel exhibition centre. Overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, it has the added backdrop of the iconic O2 and the dramatic cityscape of Canary Wharf. In warmer weather, the covered terrace in front of the restaurant would be the perfect spot to enjoy the view and a relaxed al fresco meal.
This is a versatile venue for almost any occasion. It is an elegant sophisticated eating space that is just right for a romantic dinner, for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning listening to the Jazz Band or simply to enjoy a coffee and croissant away from the hustle and bustle of Excel. And it is very child-friendly with a kid's menu and high chairs available.
A three course meal for two with a bottle of the house wine and service cost around £75-80 – about the same as I had paid in pubs over Christmas. But there the similarity ended.
Our Verdict?
A very enjoyable evening out with high quality, professionally cooked, well served food in comfortable and sophisticated surroundings and great value for money.
All the food I had eaten, either at home or as a guest at other people’s houses over Christmas and New Year had been very enjoyable. But when I had ventured out for some pub grub a couple of times, I found the experience very disappointing. An eclectic mix of tables and chairs from a second hand shop, overcoats and jackets draped over the backs of chairs, tables too close together, food that had been re-heated or seen better days, inexperienced staff, and, as for the toilets... well let’s not go there. I just didn’t feel that there was any sense of occasion.
The Docklands Bar and Grill was my first visit to a ‘proper’ restaurant in 2009 and I was really looking forward to it. And from the moment my wife and I arrived, I realised what we had been missing these past few weeks. Friendly, well trained staff, a luxurious cloakroom, an elegant high-ceilinged dining room with well spaced tables, sparkling white crockery, stylish cutlery and furniture all added up to a sophisticated eating experience.
There is a comfortable pre-dining seating area to enjoy a drink from the wide range of cocktails on offer, including the almost unique Prosecco on tap at a very reasonable £4.75 a glass. This area is screened from the main restaurant by a zig zag unit which is, in fact, a cleverly designed wine cellar.
Having been at the opening night of the Docklands Bar and Grill in November (see the review here...) and found the food samples very good, I wondered if a return visit would live up to the first night success but, I am pleased so say, this restaurant has retained its high standard.
The meal got off to a good start as the waiter offered us a tray of freshly baked bread. The Raisin and Hazelnut variety proved to be an excellent choice, although the sundried tomato bread came a close second.
The menu has some really interesting dishes and Head Chef Olivier Ruiz has worked hard to choose locally sourced, fresh ingredients to create a great selection of British and modern European favourites including some tasty looking vegetarian options. The only problem was making a choice.
After much deliberation we chose the Docklands Sharing Plate to start as this gave us an opportunity to sample a number of Starters from the menu - Crab Cakes with Aioli, Carpaccio of Beef with Parmesan and Rocket, Mozzarella and Tomato with Pesto, a Cesar Salad and steamed Mussels. These were all good, with extra ticks for the moist and flavoursome Carpaccio and the Crab Cakes that combined perfectly with the Aioli.
As this is a winter menu there were lots of warming mains and grills to choose from, such as Chicken in a Red Wine Stew, Braised Lamb Shank with Carrots and Shallots and Venison with Celeriac Puree and Blueberries. Eventually I opted for the Hamburger with Berkswell Cheese, onion compote and thick cut chips while my wife had the Scallop, Cod and Prawn Fish Pie. The pie was served in a rather neat individual pot, crammed with seafood in a creamy cheese sauce. The hamburger was really meaty and the chips were cooked to perfection and tasted wonderfully home-made.
Full as we were, we just had to try the puddings. My wife gave full marks to the satisfying Rhubarb Compote with Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream while my three scoop ice cream selection of Chocolate, Vanilla and Winter Warmer was also rich and creamy, with the latter adding a spicy warmth. The ice cream is all sourced from the boutique producer, Judes in Hampshire. For those without a sweet tooth there is a seasonal selection of English cheeses.
The wine list has a very international flavour, with an interesting range of old and new world wines. Our choice was a South African 2008 Kleine Zalze Gamay Noir, very good value at £17.00. This wine, from a vineyard just outside Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, was a perfect accompaniment to the meal. It was light enough to go with the fish but with the flavour to complement the meat. It had a strong bouquet of ripe strawberry and cherry flavours with an added touch of sweet banana on the palate and a long satisfying aftertaste.
The Docklands Bar and Grill is in the four star Crowne Plaza Hotel, a short stroll away from the ExCel exhibition centre. Overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, it has the added backdrop of the iconic O2 and the dramatic cityscape of Canary Wharf. In warmer weather, the covered terrace in front of the restaurant would be the perfect spot to enjoy the view and a relaxed al fresco meal.
This is a versatile venue for almost any occasion. It is an elegant sophisticated eating space that is just right for a romantic dinner, for brunch on a lazy Sunday morning listening to the Jazz Band or simply to enjoy a coffee and croissant away from the hustle and bustle of Excel. And it is very child-friendly with a kid's menu and high chairs available.
A three course meal for two with a bottle of the house wine and service cost around £75-80 – about the same as I had paid in pubs over Christmas. But there the similarity ended.
Our Verdict?
A very enjoyable evening out with high quality, professionally cooked, well served food in comfortable and sophisticated surroundings and great value for money.
02/01/2009 09:00:00 - AngliaAfloat > Watering Holes
Docklands for dining - Natalie Linder scores with a Prosecco and super steak
January is always a wonderful time to visit London, especially for the winter sales. Yet many of us will be heading in the direction of the London Internationl Boat Show at ExCel from 9th- 18th of January either for work, pleasure or both.
The Boat Show is an opportunity to indulge in fine dining and drinking, after all the Christmas excess is not too distant a memory! Yet when it comes to it, many will either choose to eat in their hotel, venture the short distance to Canary Wharf, or else trek into Central London.
The Docklands Bar & Grill, a short walk from the ExCel, seems to be the perfect venue for anyone visiting the London Boat Show this year. Located less than two minutes walk from the Royal Victoria stop on the DLR, it is situated overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, as well as benefitting from views of The O2 Arena and Canary Wharf.
On the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Docklands Bar & Grill has been open since early September and serves traditional British and European dishes, as well as new creations, using locally sourced ingredients.
We sat in the lounge area by the main bar with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the docks, sipping a delicious Docklands Prosecco Cocktail, vodka shaken with cranberry juice and gently topped with Prosecco (£6.50). In addition to the two main bar areas and the restaurant, there is an outside terrace with heaters overlooking water, plus a private dining room for up to 48 guests.
The Docklands Bar & Grill serve food all day from full English buffet breakfast of more than 80 items, to the main menu from lunchtime to 11pm. There is a seperate Sunday brunch menu and Sunday roast, plus a Deli counter, offering hot drinks, freshly made pastries, baguettes and salads, ideal for those on the go.
The menu was created by Executive Head Chef Olivier Ruiz. The fish is from nearby Billingsgate fish market. The meats are delivered by Aubrey Allan from selected farms and the firm was awared Meat Buyer of the Year for ethical sourcing and animal welfare 2008. Bread is by London baker Sally Clarke, and ice cream is provided by Jude's in Hampshire.
There was a good selection of starters from £3.95 for classic onion soup to £7.25 for foie gras terrine. We opted for The Docklands sharing plate (for two) at £12.95 - crab cakes, autumn salad, serano ham, mozzarella and tomato with pesto, chicken Caesar, aubergine and Somerset brie, the latter particular favoured by my husband George. large portion, exceptional presentation.
The menu was divided into subsections consisting of salads, mains, grills, sandwiches and sides and as it is available all day you can choose a dish to compliment your appetite. George chose the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie for £13.50, with a side portion of spinach for £2.95. I opted for the fillet steak for £21.50 with a large mushroom, grilled tomato, thick cut chips and a béarnaise sauce.
Again the presentation was exceptional with my steak on a wooden board and the fish pie in an individual pie dish with lid. I asked for my steak medium-well done which it was to perfection. George's fish pie had large scallops and prawns in a creamy sauce, and having tried a mouthful I had to agree.
I was too full to attempt a dessert - has I have done it would have been the black forrest gateaux or fresh berry trifle both £5.50. George decided on the cheese board with that week's cheeses Colston Bassett stilton, Golden Cross and Montgomery Cheddar served with English celery, chutney and Docklands oatcakes for £4.50.
The winelist was extensive - nine white wines from £4.50 - £5.50 for a small glass or £17 - £30 for a bottle; 11 varieties of red wine from £4.50 - £6.25 for a small glass or £17 - £32 for a bottle. There was also Prosecco on tap from £4.75 per glass, as well as champagne by the glass or bottle. We decided to have a 500 ml carafe of 2006 Pinot Grigio Provincia di Pavia, Collezione Marchesini at £13.50, the perfect amount for two to complement our meal.
We will certainly return to eat at the Docklands Bar & Grill during LIBS - it's also an ideal venue for after-show drinks overlooking the beautiful Royal Victoria Docks, the lit-up O2 and Canary Wharf.
Natalie Linder
January is always a wonderful time to visit London, especially for the winter sales. Yet many of us will be heading in the direction of the London Internationl Boat Show at ExCel from 9th- 18th of January either for work, pleasure or both.
The Boat Show is an opportunity to indulge in fine dining and drinking, after all the Christmas excess is not too distant a memory! Yet when it comes to it, many will either choose to eat in their hotel, venture the short distance to Canary Wharf, or else trek into Central London.
The Docklands Bar & Grill, a short walk from the ExCel, seems to be the perfect venue for anyone visiting the London Boat Show this year. Located less than two minutes walk from the Royal Victoria stop on the DLR, it is situated overlooking the historic Royal Victoria Dock, as well as benefitting from views of The O2 Arena and Canary Wharf.
On the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Docklands Bar & Grill has been open since early September and serves traditional British and European dishes, as well as new creations, using locally sourced ingredients.
We sat in the lounge area by the main bar with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the docks, sipping a delicious Docklands Prosecco Cocktail, vodka shaken with cranberry juice and gently topped with Prosecco (£6.50). In addition to the two main bar areas and the restaurant, there is an outside terrace with heaters overlooking water, plus a private dining room for up to 48 guests.
The Docklands Bar & Grill serve food all day from full English buffet breakfast of more than 80 items, to the main menu from lunchtime to 11pm. There is a seperate Sunday brunch menu and Sunday roast, plus a Deli counter, offering hot drinks, freshly made pastries, baguettes and salads, ideal for those on the go.
The menu was created by Executive Head Chef Olivier Ruiz. The fish is from nearby Billingsgate fish market. The meats are delivered by Aubrey Allan from selected farms and the firm was awared Meat Buyer of the Year for ethical sourcing and animal welfare 2008. Bread is by London baker Sally Clarke, and ice cream is provided by Jude's in Hampshire.
There was a good selection of starters from £3.95 for classic onion soup to £7.25 for foie gras terrine. We opted for The Docklands sharing plate (for two) at £12.95 - crab cakes, autumn salad, serano ham, mozzarella and tomato with pesto, chicken Caesar, aubergine and Somerset brie, the latter particular favoured by my husband George. large portion, exceptional presentation.
The menu was divided into subsections consisting of salads, mains, grills, sandwiches and sides and as it is available all day you can choose a dish to compliment your appetite. George chose the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie for £13.50, with a side portion of spinach for £2.95. I opted for the fillet steak for £21.50 with a large mushroom, grilled tomato, thick cut chips and a béarnaise sauce.
Again the presentation was exceptional with my steak on a wooden board and the fish pie in an individual pie dish with lid. I asked for my steak medium-well done which it was to perfection. George's fish pie had large scallops and prawns in a creamy sauce, and having tried a mouthful I had to agree.
I was too full to attempt a dessert - has I have done it would have been the black forrest gateaux or fresh berry trifle both £5.50. George decided on the cheese board with that week's cheeses Colston Bassett stilton, Golden Cross and Montgomery Cheddar served with English celery, chutney and Docklands oatcakes for £4.50.
The winelist was extensive - nine white wines from £4.50 - £5.50 for a small glass or £17 - £30 for a bottle; 11 varieties of red wine from £4.50 - £6.25 for a small glass or £17 - £32 for a bottle. There was also Prosecco on tap from £4.75 per glass, as well as champagne by the glass or bottle. We decided to have a 500 ml carafe of 2006 Pinot Grigio Provincia di Pavia, Collezione Marchesini at £13.50, the perfect amount for two to complement our meal.
We will certainly return to eat at the Docklands Bar & Grill during LIBS - it's also an ideal venue for after-show drinks overlooking the beautiful Royal Victoria Docks, the lit-up O2 and Canary Wharf.
Natalie Linder
01/01/2009 09:00:00 - Families East
The lighting is warm and expensive, glinting through wine glasses and bouncing off the clean edges of a sharp, contemporary dining area. In the background a saxophonist plays a soothing and seductive live set. It's all reminiscent of those seemingly halcyon days before babies when we went on dates to expensive hotel bars or, if we were lucky, spent evenings in smart restaurants on someone else's expensive account.
Today, however, we're actually taking our two children to Sunday lunch at a new family friendly restaurant just opened in Royal Victoria Dock. As if to prove we are not all condemned to dining in Harvesters and Nandos for the next sixteen years, Docklands Bar & Grill manages to combine the luxury of a hotel bar (which it is) with family dining, complete with varied and affordable children's menu/
The seasonal British/European menu caters for high end splash-out dinners or easily affordable set meals. At the time of writing set lunch was £9.95 for two courses and we tried out a traditional Sunday lunch and rare sirloin steak. The meat was excellent - the steak wasn't quite French-rare but certainly bloody enough to qualify this side of the Channel and the Yorkshire pudding was spectacularly generous. Although we didn't try it, fish is freshly sourced from Billingsgate Fish Market.
Perhaps even more conducive to parental relaxation, the staff clearly loved the little ones and our baby spent a happy time playing by the floor to ceiling windows and hiding under the chiffon curtains and watching his reflection in the mirrors.
If you do get a chance to get away without the kids, a special Valentine's menu is also available in February for that rare romantic night out so whether alone or en famile this truly is a place to treat yourself.
Today, however, we're actually taking our two children to Sunday lunch at a new family friendly restaurant just opened in Royal Victoria Dock. As if to prove we are not all condemned to dining in Harvesters and Nandos for the next sixteen years, Docklands Bar & Grill manages to combine the luxury of a hotel bar (which it is) with family dining, complete with varied and affordable children's menu/
The seasonal British/European menu caters for high end splash-out dinners or easily affordable set meals. At the time of writing set lunch was £9.95 for two courses and we tried out a traditional Sunday lunch and rare sirloin steak. The meat was excellent - the steak wasn't quite French-rare but certainly bloody enough to qualify this side of the Channel and the Yorkshire pudding was spectacularly generous. Although we didn't try it, fish is freshly sourced from Billingsgate Fish Market.
Perhaps even more conducive to parental relaxation, the staff clearly loved the little ones and our baby spent a happy time playing by the floor to ceiling windows and hiding under the chiffon curtains and watching his reflection in the mirrors.
If you do get a chance to get away without the kids, a special Valentine's menu is also available in February for that rare romantic night out so whether alone or en famile this truly is a place to treat yourself.
08/12/2008 09:00:00 - LoveFoodLoveDrink.co.uk
Need somewhere to ‘hit the spot’?
Having a decent local restaurant is worth a high street full of mediocre chain offerings. A fail-safe venue where you are just as happy to take your parents for a meal as you are meeting your friends for a catch-up. It should also provide a good value menu that ‘hits the spot’ as well as being comfortable and friendly. Residents of the Docklands look out – Docklands Bar & Grill is just the venue for you!
The contemporary venue is a little ‘IKEA’ in feel, but comfortable and inviting. The massive bar area serves some good quality cocktails as well as a comprehensive range of spirits, beers and wine; it is also one of only a dozen or so restaurants in London to provide Prosecco on tap - and for just £4.75/glass. The restaurant also features a large outdoor area and boasts London’s largest outdoor BBQ, although I’m not sure how often they’ll get to use it!
The seasonal menu features an appealing range of traditional British and European dishes to suit all palettes, and also includes lighter sandwiches and salads. We started with a rich and smooth fois gras terrine and an intriguing sounding, but very good ceviche style sea-bass & guacamole. For mains, Nish ordered a perfectly cooked duck, braised lentils & black grape chutney which all worked well together. My delicious fish pie featured cod with plump scallops and prawns and was served in a clay pot – all it was missing was a nice chunk of bread! The choice of desserts included an incredibly moorish orange coated in a sweet chocolate and a Black Forest gateaux which tasted just as good as any I remember eating in the 80’s!
Service was smart and relaxed and prices are reasonable considering the quality and good portion sizes. If you are in the area, you couldn’t go far wrong with eating here!
Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Value: 4/5
Cuisine type – Modern European/British
Dinner for 2 (ex. drinks) - £50
Beers - £3.50
Wine - £4.25
Cocktails - £8
Good for – comfort food, business lunches, a relaxed evening
Having a decent local restaurant is worth a high street full of mediocre chain offerings. A fail-safe venue where you are just as happy to take your parents for a meal as you are meeting your friends for a catch-up. It should also provide a good value menu that ‘hits the spot’ as well as being comfortable and friendly. Residents of the Docklands look out – Docklands Bar & Grill is just the venue for you!
The contemporary venue is a little ‘IKEA’ in feel, but comfortable and inviting. The massive bar area serves some good quality cocktails as well as a comprehensive range of spirits, beers and wine; it is also one of only a dozen or so restaurants in London to provide Prosecco on tap - and for just £4.75/glass. The restaurant also features a large outdoor area and boasts London’s largest outdoor BBQ, although I’m not sure how often they’ll get to use it!
The seasonal menu features an appealing range of traditional British and European dishes to suit all palettes, and also includes lighter sandwiches and salads. We started with a rich and smooth fois gras terrine and an intriguing sounding, but very good ceviche style sea-bass & guacamole. For mains, Nish ordered a perfectly cooked duck, braised lentils & black grape chutney which all worked well together. My delicious fish pie featured cod with plump scallops and prawns and was served in a clay pot – all it was missing was a nice chunk of bread! The choice of desserts included an incredibly moorish orange coated in a sweet chocolate and a Black Forest gateaux which tasted just as good as any I remember eating in the 80’s!
Service was smart and relaxed and prices are reasonable considering the quality and good portion sizes. If you are in the area, you couldn’t go far wrong with eating here!
Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Value: 4/5
Cuisine type – Modern European/British
Dinner for 2 (ex. drinks) - £50
Beers - £3.50
Wine - £4.25
Cocktails - £8
Good for – comfort food, business lunches, a relaxed evening
25/11/2008 09:00:00 - AboutMyGeneration
The AMG team were recently at the opening of a great new restaurant, the Docklands Bar and Grill, Peter Morrell reports.
Situated a short stroll away from the ExCel exhibition centre, the Docklands Bar and Grill occupies a prime position. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows overlook the historic Royal Victoria Dock with the backdrop of the iconic O2 and dramatic cityscape of Canary Wharf. And come the warmer weather, the covered terrace in front of the restaurant looks like being the perfect spot to enjoy the view and a relaxed al fresco meal.
The large, comfortable open bar, also with dock views, is open till late and serves Prosecco on tap and a range of 18 different beers. Expert mixologists have come up with a range of imaginative cocktails and the Lemon Royal, Limoncello topped with Prosecco, is a delicious 'must try'.
Opening night was an opportunity for the restaurant to showcase some of the highlights from its comprehensive starter, main and pudding menu. Notable dishes from the starters were the light and tasty Crab Cakes with aioli, the well paired Roast Aubergine with Somerset Brie and the sauteed Chicken Liver on some remarkably good brioche style toast.
The mains were no less impressive. The Asian Chilli Beef with coriander and the char-grilled chicken with Caesar salad both gave a good account of themselves, while the hamburger from the main menu and the Rib of Beef or Leg of Lamb for Sunday Brunch would all satisfy the hungry carnivore.
And the range of puds, from Black Forest Gateau to Fresh Berry Trifle, would please the sweetest tooth with the cheeses providing a more than suitable alternative for those wanting a savoury finish to their meal.
All in this is a versatile venue for any occasion. It is an elegant sophisticated space that is perfect for a a romantic dinner, brunch on a lazy Sunday morning or simply to enjoy a coffee and croissant away from the hustle and bustle of Excel. And, as the Olympics approach, it is a much needed addition to the restaurant scene in this up and coming part of East London.
Situated a short stroll away from the ExCel exhibition centre, the Docklands Bar and Grill occupies a prime position. Panoramic floor to ceiling windows overlook the historic Royal Victoria Dock with the backdrop of the iconic O2 and dramatic cityscape of Canary Wharf. And come the warmer weather, the covered terrace in front of the restaurant looks like being the perfect spot to enjoy the view and a relaxed al fresco meal.
The large, comfortable open bar, also with dock views, is open till late and serves Prosecco on tap and a range of 18 different beers. Expert mixologists have come up with a range of imaginative cocktails and the Lemon Royal, Limoncello topped with Prosecco, is a delicious 'must try'.
Opening night was an opportunity for the restaurant to showcase some of the highlights from its comprehensive starter, main and pudding menu. Notable dishes from the starters were the light and tasty Crab Cakes with aioli, the well paired Roast Aubergine with Somerset Brie and the sauteed Chicken Liver on some remarkably good brioche style toast.
The mains were no less impressive. The Asian Chilli Beef with coriander and the char-grilled chicken with Caesar salad both gave a good account of themselves, while the hamburger from the main menu and the Rib of Beef or Leg of Lamb for Sunday Brunch would all satisfy the hungry carnivore.
And the range of puds, from Black Forest Gateau to Fresh Berry Trifle, would please the sweetest tooth with the cheeses providing a more than suitable alternative for those wanting a savoury finish to their meal.
All in this is a versatile venue for any occasion. It is an elegant sophisticated space that is perfect for a a romantic dinner, brunch on a lazy Sunday morning or simply to enjoy a coffee and croissant away from the hustle and bustle of Excel. And, as the Olympics approach, it is a much needed addition to the restaurant scene in this up and coming part of East London.
20/10/2008 09:00:00 - View London
For many, trekking into the Docklands on the is-it-or-isn’t-it-really-a-tube DLR is a journey too far. There’s not a great deal to tempt travellers except ultra modern flats and the Excel Centre. Luckily for the Docklands Bar and Grill, its proximity to the Excel and the fact it’s based in a hotel that attracts a large number of guests when conferences and events are on, guarantees a thriving crowd who don’t have much choice in this desolate area.
The Venue
Centred around Canary Wharf, the Docklands consists mainly of modern flats and glittering penthouses, but in terms of a beating social heart there’s not a great deal to recommend it. Docklands Bar and Grill can be found a short walk from Royal Victoria Docks DLR station, in an area seemingly devoid of life. Luckily, the Excel Centre injects some much needed people traffic into the area, and this bar and restaurant certainly benefits. Few people would go to the trouble to trek out here otherwise.
For those attending shows and conferences at the Excel, this is actually a very convenient venue. Located on the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel, it’s everything you might expect from such an establishment. Upon entering through a doorway set apart from the main hotel reception (past a very enticing frontage), you’ll see a glittering, underlit bar to the right, complete with comfortable tables and chairs encircling it, offering plenty of space for drinkers when the hotel is filled with guests. It’s comfortable, clean and the bar is well stocked - all pretty inoffensive.
The restaurant is located to the left of the main doorway past a reception desk where you’ll be greeted and shown to your table. The restaurant is warmer than the bar, with a collection of reds and warm wooden tones. Tables are comfortable and relaxed and the layout makes the most of the large space. The lack of white tablecloths and overly fussy adournments are actually welcome here. There’s a private sectioned off space called The Square, located at the far end, which is ideal for groups of colleagues who have been showing at the Excel. The large windows are also a positive and, in all, it’s a pleasant space for a hotel like this.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at the Docklands Bar and Grill will entirely depend on when you visit and what’s going on at the Excel Centre at the time. That gives it an edge over other hotels in the Docklands as you’ll not be inundated with suits filling up the space week in, week out. The bar and restaurant are busy when the hotel is filled with guests visiting or doing shows at the Excel, which can include everything from hairdresser conventions to toy fairs, car and motorcycle shows, or golf showcases. The clientele changes dramatically depending upon who is staying at the hotel, which adds an interesting dimension to the usual hotel bar and restaurant scene. It’s pretty devoid of life when nothing is going on, however, so it is worth checking out what’s going on before you head over. Unlike in many establishments, the atmosphere on busy nights is similar in both the restaurant and bar areas, with a high octane, excited buzz that’s not unpleasant but not indicative to a quiet, relaxed meal.
The staff are friendly and efficient and manage to deftly look after a busy restaurant without a lengthy increase in waiting times for food. It’s a well oiled machine.
The Food
Docklands Bar and Grill offers hotel guests a reasonably priced dinner that is high on convenience. However, the food isn’t of a calibre that would make it worthy of seeking out as a destination venue in its own right.
Starters are priced in the £4-£7 range and cover a wide range of dishes to tempt most palates. Unfortunately, it’s nothing to write home about. The marinated sea bass with guacamole is bland to the point of being unpleasant. The sea bass, being as it is raw, needs to have more flavour added, but the poor attempt at a marinade – basically consisting of a watery vinegar – does little to lift the flavours. It’s not a bad dish as such, being exceptionally fresh, it’s just a shame that more thought didn’t go into balancing textures and flavours and for the £6.50 price tag it doesn’t live up to expectation. The foie gras terrine (£7.27) fares better, although it’s a little unappetising to look at and the richness of the foie gras is lacking.
Mains come in at the £7-£21 mark, depending on whether you want a full meal or prefer a lighter salad. The roast cod, herbs, Alsace bacon, garlic and green beans (£13.25) appears much better presented than the starters and smells good enough to get the mouth watering; however, it suffers from the same insipid lack of substance as the sea bass. The cod is fresh and light, cooked perfectly – it just doesn’t taste of anything, and it’s hard to see how such a good piece of fish could be so lacking in any oomph. The Alsace bacon is salty and chewy and the garlic consists of whole cloves that are too overpowering and fill the mouth unpleasantly, not complementing anything on the plate. However, the green beans are delicious – buttery and perfectly textured, it is the only saving grace to the dish. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the fillet steak (£21) is actually pretty good. Appearing well presented on a wooden board with a small bowl of homemade chips and bearnaise sauce, it’s a little small for the price tag, but this is justified by the quality of the meat. Well cooked to specification, it’s juicy and tender. The chips are hot and delicately crunchy with a soft, fluffy middle. It is worth going for a side to bulk it out, and the green beans are as good as those that come with the cod. However, the side dish of tomatoes and onions borders on disgrace. Tasteless, icy cold tomatoes cut roughly into quarters and huge rings of raw red onion appear in a bowl with no evident dressing and little in the way of flavour. It’s hard to see how this can be sold as a side.
Finally come the desserts, and they are the saving grace of the menu. The recommended fresh berry trifle (£5.50) is pleasant and beautifully presented with plenty of cream and no skimping on the fruit. The flavours work well and it’s creamy, delicately sweet and the fruit’s slight acidity cuts through well. The cheese board (£4.50 for three cheeses) is also worthy of mention. A well balanced selection isn’t skimped on, and there’s a generous helping of grapes, a variety of crackers and a deliciously sweet and mildly tangy chutney.
The Drink
There’s a wine menu available in the restaurant, which is well described and covers a range of budgets and tastes. With a choice of nine whites, nine reds, a couple of roses and a few bottles of Champagne thrown in, there’s a good choice to accompany your meal. The house white – a South African Chenin Blanc for £17 a bottle – isn’t particularly pleasant, however, tasting far cheaper than its price tag would have you believe. It’s worth spending a little more for one of the better quality bottles.
Luckily, the bar does a great selection of extremely reasonably priced cocktails (£6.50 – a snip for this neck of the woods). There’s a choice covering all of the classics, from mojitos to White Russians (which will keep the Big Lebowski fans happy), and fresh produce ensures they’re far more pleasant than the cheap prices indicate. There’s also a decent selection of spirits, with some premium bottles providing a welcome upmarket twist. Impressively, they have
The Venue
Centred around Canary Wharf, the Docklands consists mainly of modern flats and glittering penthouses, but in terms of a beating social heart there’s not a great deal to recommend it. Docklands Bar and Grill can be found a short walk from Royal Victoria Docks DLR station, in an area seemingly devoid of life. Luckily, the Excel Centre injects some much needed people traffic into the area, and this bar and restaurant certainly benefits. Few people would go to the trouble to trek out here otherwise.
For those attending shows and conferences at the Excel, this is actually a very convenient venue. Located on the ground floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel, it’s everything you might expect from such an establishment. Upon entering through a doorway set apart from the main hotel reception (past a very enticing frontage), you’ll see a glittering, underlit bar to the right, complete with comfortable tables and chairs encircling it, offering plenty of space for drinkers when the hotel is filled with guests. It’s comfortable, clean and the bar is well stocked - all pretty inoffensive.
The restaurant is located to the left of the main doorway past a reception desk where you’ll be greeted and shown to your table. The restaurant is warmer than the bar, with a collection of reds and warm wooden tones. Tables are comfortable and relaxed and the layout makes the most of the large space. The lack of white tablecloths and overly fussy adournments are actually welcome here. There’s a private sectioned off space called The Square, located at the far end, which is ideal for groups of colleagues who have been showing at the Excel. The large windows are also a positive and, in all, it’s a pleasant space for a hotel like this.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at the Docklands Bar and Grill will entirely depend on when you visit and what’s going on at the Excel Centre at the time. That gives it an edge over other hotels in the Docklands as you’ll not be inundated with suits filling up the space week in, week out. The bar and restaurant are busy when the hotel is filled with guests visiting or doing shows at the Excel, which can include everything from hairdresser conventions to toy fairs, car and motorcycle shows, or golf showcases. The clientele changes dramatically depending upon who is staying at the hotel, which adds an interesting dimension to the usual hotel bar and restaurant scene. It’s pretty devoid of life when nothing is going on, however, so it is worth checking out what’s going on before you head over. Unlike in many establishments, the atmosphere on busy nights is similar in both the restaurant and bar areas, with a high octane, excited buzz that’s not unpleasant but not indicative to a quiet, relaxed meal.
The staff are friendly and efficient and manage to deftly look after a busy restaurant without a lengthy increase in waiting times for food. It’s a well oiled machine.
The Food
Docklands Bar and Grill offers hotel guests a reasonably priced dinner that is high on convenience. However, the food isn’t of a calibre that would make it worthy of seeking out as a destination venue in its own right.
Starters are priced in the £4-£7 range and cover a wide range of dishes to tempt most palates. Unfortunately, it’s nothing to write home about. The marinated sea bass with guacamole is bland to the point of being unpleasant. The sea bass, being as it is raw, needs to have more flavour added, but the poor attempt at a marinade – basically consisting of a watery vinegar – does little to lift the flavours. It’s not a bad dish as such, being exceptionally fresh, it’s just a shame that more thought didn’t go into balancing textures and flavours and for the £6.50 price tag it doesn’t live up to expectation. The foie gras terrine (£7.27) fares better, although it’s a little unappetising to look at and the richness of the foie gras is lacking.
Mains come in at the £7-£21 mark, depending on whether you want a full meal or prefer a lighter salad. The roast cod, herbs, Alsace bacon, garlic and green beans (£13.25) appears much better presented than the starters and smells good enough to get the mouth watering; however, it suffers from the same insipid lack of substance as the sea bass. The cod is fresh and light, cooked perfectly – it just doesn’t taste of anything, and it’s hard to see how such a good piece of fish could be so lacking in any oomph. The Alsace bacon is salty and chewy and the garlic consists of whole cloves that are too overpowering and fill the mouth unpleasantly, not complementing anything on the plate. However, the green beans are delicious – buttery and perfectly textured, it is the only saving grace to the dish. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the fillet steak (£21) is actually pretty good. Appearing well presented on a wooden board with a small bowl of homemade chips and bearnaise sauce, it’s a little small for the price tag, but this is justified by the quality of the meat. Well cooked to specification, it’s juicy and tender. The chips are hot and delicately crunchy with a soft, fluffy middle. It is worth going for a side to bulk it out, and the green beans are as good as those that come with the cod. However, the side dish of tomatoes and onions borders on disgrace. Tasteless, icy cold tomatoes cut roughly into quarters and huge rings of raw red onion appear in a bowl with no evident dressing and little in the way of flavour. It’s hard to see how this can be sold as a side.
Finally come the desserts, and they are the saving grace of the menu. The recommended fresh berry trifle (£5.50) is pleasant and beautifully presented with plenty of cream and no skimping on the fruit. The flavours work well and it’s creamy, delicately sweet and the fruit’s slight acidity cuts through well. The cheese board (£4.50 for three cheeses) is also worthy of mention. A well balanced selection isn’t skimped on, and there’s a generous helping of grapes, a variety of crackers and a deliciously sweet and mildly tangy chutney.
The Drink
There’s a wine menu available in the restaurant, which is well described and covers a range of budgets and tastes. With a choice of nine whites, nine reds, a couple of roses and a few bottles of Champagne thrown in, there’s a good choice to accompany your meal. The house white – a South African Chenin Blanc for £17 a bottle – isn’t particularly pleasant, however, tasting far cheaper than its price tag would have you believe. It’s worth spending a little more for one of the better quality bottles.
Luckily, the bar does a great selection of extremely reasonably priced cocktails (£6.50 – a snip for this neck of the woods). There’s a choice covering all of the classics, from mojitos to White Russians (which will keep the Big Lebowski fans happy), and fresh produce ensures they’re far more pleasant than the cheap prices indicate. There’s also a decent selection of spirits, with some premium bottles providing a welcome upmarket twist. Impressively, they have
17/10/2008 09:00:00 - LondonLite - Barfly
NEW for Canning Town is Docklands Bar & Grill (Royal Victoria Dock, Western Gateway, E16). This airily large bar has two conservatory areas, the floor-to-ceiling windows are ideal to see sunset over the water. It also has prosecco on tap, plus 18 beers and a range of cocktails.
08/10/2008 09:00:00 - Bill Murray visits Docklands Bar and Grill
Bill Murray, the British actor most famous for his roles in 'EastEnders' and 'The Bill' enjoyed our lunch on the dockside terrace of the Docklands Bar & Grill.
29/09/2008 09:00:00 - Docklands Newspaper
EVERY week seems to bring a new place to eat to Royal Victoria Dock. Despite the fact ExCeL doesn't even start building work on its new extension until next week the buzz around this area seems huge.
To make the most of this the Crown Plaza hotel has stripped out its formal French dining room and replaced it with a far more approachable, affordable restaurant and bar to appeal to nearby residents as well as hotel guests. Decked out in a pleasing shade of ultra-modern, the restaurant attempts to distance itself from the dreaded 'hotel restaurant' tag with a separate entrance and branding.
Lunchtime diners seem equally keen on eating in the slightly less formal bar area. Seated at the window of the restaurant overlooking the dock we perused the pleasingly simple menu and chose our starters.
One of my fellow diners opted for the foie gras terrine while another colleague and I were unable to resist The Docklands sharing plate, based on title alone. The rich, juicy terrine was accompanied by a tangy chutney and moorish slice of nut bread. Our platter was lovingly presented on a wooden board and featured tasty hot crab cakes, a caesar salad, aubegine stacks, Serrano ham, figs and a salad of roasted vegetables. The platter offers plenty to keep both you and your palette entertained but be warned it's a sizable starter, even for two.
For main courses we chose the fish pie, roast cod with Alsace bacon and a steak baguette. The fish pie was a delicious creamy concoction of huge chucks of fish, scallop and prawn served in an earthenware dish. The roast cod was a collosal chunk of meaty white flakes the likes of which I thought no longer existed in the seas. Its flavour was accentuated by salty lardons of premium bacon and sweet roasted garlic cloves. Everything is presented beautifully, even the simple steak baguette (which could have done with some more meat) was neatly wrapped in greaseproof paper and served with relish and sour cream in glass jars.
Desserts, including a sumptuous Black Forest gateaux, were excellent but a step too far for my lunchtime appetite. The meal was excellent and reasonably priced while the new decor and outlook over the docks will appeal to guests and neighbours alike.
James Buttery
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
To make the most of this the Crown Plaza hotel has stripped out its formal French dining room and replaced it with a far more approachable, affordable restaurant and bar to appeal to nearby residents as well as hotel guests. Decked out in a pleasing shade of ultra-modern, the restaurant attempts to distance itself from the dreaded 'hotel restaurant' tag with a separate entrance and branding.
Lunchtime diners seem equally keen on eating in the slightly less formal bar area. Seated at the window of the restaurant overlooking the dock we perused the pleasingly simple menu and chose our starters.
One of my fellow diners opted for the foie gras terrine while another colleague and I were unable to resist The Docklands sharing plate, based on title alone. The rich, juicy terrine was accompanied by a tangy chutney and moorish slice of nut bread. Our platter was lovingly presented on a wooden board and featured tasty hot crab cakes, a caesar salad, aubegine stacks, Serrano ham, figs and a salad of roasted vegetables. The platter offers plenty to keep both you and your palette entertained but be warned it's a sizable starter, even for two.
For main courses we chose the fish pie, roast cod with Alsace bacon and a steak baguette. The fish pie was a delicious creamy concoction of huge chucks of fish, scallop and prawn served in an earthenware dish. The roast cod was a collosal chunk of meaty white flakes the likes of which I thought no longer existed in the seas. Its flavour was accentuated by salty lardons of premium bacon and sweet roasted garlic cloves. Everything is presented beautifully, even the simple steak baguette (which could have done with some more meat) was neatly wrapped in greaseproof paper and served with relish and sour cream in glass jars.
Desserts, including a sumptuous Black Forest gateaux, were excellent but a step too far for my lunchtime appetite. The meal was excellent and reasonably priced while the new decor and outlook over the docks will appeal to guests and neighbours alike.
James Buttery
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Value for money: 4/5
24/09/2008 09:00:00 - TripAdvisor.com
"Flawless New Restaurant in the Docklands, London”
Docklands Bar & Grill
We were looking for a nice place to eat on our penultimate night in London. Staying in a hotel near the London Docklands, we asked reception if they could recommend any good restaurants for us. We were pointed towards the Docklands Bar & Grill, which had apparently only recently opened in the area and the receptionist claimed it was a perfect location for a romatic night out.
It turned out to be an inspired choice. We were sat on the terraced area which had a stunning view of the docklands and we could also see Canary Wharf and the O2 Dome which were lit up beatifully. The London skyline looked awesome and it set the tone for a wonderful romantic evening here. Although we were enjoying our evening and the ambience of the place, the magnificent view of London made us a bit sad that in a couple of days we would be flying home to the States and leaving this great city behind.
The food here did not disappoint as everything was delicious. We wanted to try things we wouldn't normally find in the States so for our appetizers we ordered the sharing platter which had a selection of European bites including serrano ham, crab cakes, mozarella and my now favourite, brie. For our main course I ordered roast cod, served with bacon, herbs and green beans. This was so amazing everything was really fresh and well presented, it was absolutely delicious. My husband couldn't resist the fillet steak and he was well rewarded, it was well sized and cooked to order. We were really impressed by the quality of the food here though not surprised as the whole establishment is of a very high standard.
We passed on the deserts as we felt we had eaten more than enough already so we just sat back and enjoyed our wine and the view of London. The bill was quite pricey but we felt it was still great value for what was a terrific evening. The service here also deserves a mention for being friendly and attentive.
I hope in the near future we'll be returning to England and if so we'll definitely be coming back here
SJC70
Seattle, Washington
Docklands Bar & Grill
We were looking for a nice place to eat on our penultimate night in London. Staying in a hotel near the London Docklands, we asked reception if they could recommend any good restaurants for us. We were pointed towards the Docklands Bar & Grill, which had apparently only recently opened in the area and the receptionist claimed it was a perfect location for a romatic night out.
It turned out to be an inspired choice. We were sat on the terraced area which had a stunning view of the docklands and we could also see Canary Wharf and the O2 Dome which were lit up beatifully. The London skyline looked awesome and it set the tone for a wonderful romantic evening here. Although we were enjoying our evening and the ambience of the place, the magnificent view of London made us a bit sad that in a couple of days we would be flying home to the States and leaving this great city behind.
The food here did not disappoint as everything was delicious. We wanted to try things we wouldn't normally find in the States so for our appetizers we ordered the sharing platter which had a selection of European bites including serrano ham, crab cakes, mozarella and my now favourite, brie. For our main course I ordered roast cod, served with bacon, herbs and green beans. This was so amazing everything was really fresh and well presented, it was absolutely delicious. My husband couldn't resist the fillet steak and he was well rewarded, it was well sized and cooked to order. We were really impressed by the quality of the food here though not surprised as the whole establishment is of a very high standard.
We passed on the deserts as we felt we had eaten more than enough already so we just sat back and enjoyed our wine and the view of London. The bill was quite pricey but we felt it was still great value for what was a terrific evening. The service here also deserves a mention for being friendly and attentive.
I hope in the near future we'll be returning to England and if so we'll definitely be coming back here
SJC70
Seattle, Washington
22/09/2008 09:00:00 - Reviewcentre.com
Average Ratings Quality of service: 8/10
Quality of food: 10/10
Value for Money: 8/10
Overall rating: 9/10
Quality of food: 10/10
Value for Money: 8/10
Overall rating: 9/10
22/09/2008 09:00:00 - Thelondonrestaurantreview.co.uk
This is such a great place for all sorts of occasions. Amazing views of London and a great atmosphere make this a good place for romantic evenings, lunch, dinner and wi-fi availability for business. The food is delicious with fresh ingredients, well-sized portions and excellent presentation. In my opinion, these make the prices really good value for money and the service provided is very good also. I had the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie which was £13.50 and I have to say worth every penny. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone as its friendly, sophisticated and most importantly delicious.
Alexandria Harman
Alexandria Harman
19/09/2008 09:00:00 - TasteLondon.co.uk
Three friends and I went to the Docklands Bar and Grill not really knowing what to expect as it had only recently opened. We quickly realised we were in for a treat. We were sat in the conservatory section and had a quite stunning view of the docks and the London skyline looked awesome with Canary Wharf and the O2 Dome dominating the landscape. It gave the place a really romantic and pleasant ambience that we all really enjoyed.
Served by friendly staff, our waiter recommended a great wine for us to compliment our meals. With two vegetarians in the group (myself included) we ordered the two meat-free meals on offer: the tomato, red pepper and pesto tart and the stuffed autumn vegetables. I shared this with my other vegetarian friend and we were both equally impressed with how delicious and well prepared they were. They really did look appetising and my other two friends, both meat-eaters, were also intrigued and wanted a taste. They had a Caesar salad with char grilled chicken and the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. I can´t say I was tempted by either of these being a strict veggie but they did look nice and they were both really happy with their meal.
We ordered the fresh berry crumble and black forest gateaux to share between the four of us as and once again they were of excellent standard with fresh ingredients and a healthy portion size.
The food, wine and service came in at just under £80 which we felt was of good value given the quality of the whole experience. Everyone left very happy and I´m sure we´ll be coming back again for another wonderful night.
Danielle Hoskins
Served by friendly staff, our waiter recommended a great wine for us to compliment our meals. With two vegetarians in the group (myself included) we ordered the two meat-free meals on offer: the tomato, red pepper and pesto tart and the stuffed autumn vegetables. I shared this with my other vegetarian friend and we were both equally impressed with how delicious and well prepared they were. They really did look appetising and my other two friends, both meat-eaters, were also intrigued and wanted a taste. They had a Caesar salad with char grilled chicken and the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie. I can´t say I was tempted by either of these being a strict veggie but they did look nice and they were both really happy with their meal.
We ordered the fresh berry crumble and black forest gateaux to share between the four of us as and once again they were of excellent standard with fresh ingredients and a healthy portion size.
The food, wine and service came in at just under £80 which we felt was of good value given the quality of the whole experience. Everyone left very happy and I´m sure we´ll be coming back again for another wonderful night.
Danielle Hoskins
19/09/2008 09:00:00 - TrustedPlaces.com
Top Notch Restaurant
Great location, trendy interior, friendly and polite staff, varied and appealing menu and a great wine list. All in all, The Docklands Bar and Grill is a truly brilliant place to go and spend an evening.
I went along with a couple of my colleagues and we agreed that after a long days work it was a great place to unwind. We ordered a round of cocktails before dinner and the ambience of the bar area combined with its magnificent views of the dock and the 02 dome really set a relaxing tone for the evening.
We were seated by a pleasant waitress when we were ready for dinner. Her service was polite and attentive which I have personally found quite rare of late. We were all impressed with the variety of the menu, and were recommended the marinated sea bass & guacamole. For our mains we ordered sirloin steak, lamb cutlets and calves liver with mash. All the dishes were nicely portioned, fresh, well presented and most importantly cooked to our individual requests.
The bill, including our cocktails, meal, a couple bottles of wine and service came to just under £125 for the three of us which we felt reasonable for all our drinks, the good service and the top notch food.
This is a restaurant that I'd happily return to and would definitely take friends/family/clients to in the future.
FoodFan
Great location, trendy interior, friendly and polite staff, varied and appealing menu and a great wine list. All in all, The Docklands Bar and Grill is a truly brilliant place to go and spend an evening.
I went along with a couple of my colleagues and we agreed that after a long days work it was a great place to unwind. We ordered a round of cocktails before dinner and the ambience of the bar area combined with its magnificent views of the dock and the 02 dome really set a relaxing tone for the evening.
We were seated by a pleasant waitress when we were ready for dinner. Her service was polite and attentive which I have personally found quite rare of late. We were all impressed with the variety of the menu, and were recommended the marinated sea bass & guacamole. For our mains we ordered sirloin steak, lamb cutlets and calves liver with mash. All the dishes were nicely portioned, fresh, well presented and most importantly cooked to our individual requests.
The bill, including our cocktails, meal, a couple bottles of wine and service came to just under £125 for the three of us which we felt reasonable for all our drinks, the good service and the top notch food.
This is a restaurant that I'd happily return to and would definitely take friends/family/clients to in the future.
FoodFan
19/09/2008 09:00:00 - ViewLondon.co.uk
I took the wife and kids here to celebrate my wife's promotion and I couldn't of picked a better location.
Our table had a wonderful view of the Royal Victoria Dock as well as the O2 Dome and Canary Wharf which were lit up beautifully. The staff were friendly and got on really well with our two young boys; it was a real plus that they made us feel welcome and at home.
The food was very nice too, the kids ordered fish chips from the kids menu which was all made from fresh ingredients and didn't look greasy or unhealthy at all. I ordered the lamb cutlets with rosemary potatoes and tomatoes which were delicious, the lamb was tender and almost melted in the mouth and the potatoes were superb. My wife was equally pleased with her roast cod garnished with garlic, bacon, herbs and green beans. The kids ordered ice cream and sorbets for their desert which they absolutely loved and I suspect the staff gave the kids extra large helpings of sorbet.
In total, our bill came to around £70 which I felt was fair for a family of four, a good bottle of wine and great service. We all had a fabulous evening and it certainly is a restaurant that we will be returning to.
Our table had a wonderful view of the Royal Victoria Dock as well as the O2 Dome and Canary Wharf which were lit up beautifully. The staff were friendly and got on really well with our two young boys; it was a real plus that they made us feel welcome and at home.
The food was very nice too, the kids ordered fish chips from the kids menu which was all made from fresh ingredients and didn't look greasy or unhealthy at all. I ordered the lamb cutlets with rosemary potatoes and tomatoes which were delicious, the lamb was tender and almost melted in the mouth and the potatoes were superb. My wife was equally pleased with her roast cod garnished with garlic, bacon, herbs and green beans. The kids ordered ice cream and sorbets for their desert which they absolutely loved and I suspect the staff gave the kids extra large helpings of sorbet.
In total, our bill came to around £70 which I felt was fair for a family of four, a good bottle of wine and great service. We all had a fabulous evening and it certainly is a restaurant that we will be returning to.
18/09/2008 09:00:00 - Dine-Online.co.uk
I’d heard a few good things about this new restaurant from some work colleagues so I thought I’d try it for myself. I took my parents there for dinner, it had been a while since I last saw them and my boss said it had a very ambient atmospehere, perfect for a pleasant catch up
with the folks.
We went on a Wednesday night in September and although it was surprisingly busy, we were seated immediately by friendly staff. The first thing that struck us as we sat down was the wonderful view of the Royal Victoria Dock as well as the 02 Dome and Canary Wharf. Before even ordering our food we felt settled and comfortable; the dining area was busy but not overly
crowded, we enjoyed the atmosphere and could hear each other talk.
The menu was impressive. A nice, original selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes were available for both starter and main. Being big desert fans, we skipped the starters even though a number of them appealed, particularly the marinated sea bass and guacamole and the sauteed chicken livers with roast figs. I ordered the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie(£13.50) whilst my parents ordered a tuna ratatouille (£14) and a calf’s liver with mash (£12). The portions were abolutely spot-on, we felt satisfied but certainly had room left for desert. My mother, a great cook in her own right, deemed the ingredients very fresh and of good quality though this should really be expected. The waiting time was ok but I’m always happy to wait a bit longer if it is obvious due care and attention has been given to the meal.
We were all looking forward to our deserts and weren’t disappointed when they arrived. We ordered three apple & blackcurrent crumbles(£5.50), each served with a generous helping of freshly made custard and fresh fruit.
The bill came to just less than £80 including drinks and service charge which, whilst not affordable on a regular basis, felt was fairly reasonable for the quality of our food and good service. We had a great evening and it was all the better for the style and atmosphere of the restaurant. We left well fed and watered; this is definately a great place to come for all sorts of occasions and I will ertainly be returning in the future.
Sebastian Chang
with the folks.
We went on a Wednesday night in September and although it was surprisingly busy, we were seated immediately by friendly staff. The first thing that struck us as we sat down was the wonderful view of the Royal Victoria Dock as well as the 02 Dome and Canary Wharf. Before even ordering our food we felt settled and comfortable; the dining area was busy but not overly
crowded, we enjoyed the atmosphere and could hear each other talk.
The menu was impressive. A nice, original selection of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes were available for both starter and main. Being big desert fans, we skipped the starters even though a number of them appealed, particularly the marinated sea bass and guacamole and the sauteed chicken livers with roast figs. I ordered the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie(£13.50) whilst my parents ordered a tuna ratatouille (£14) and a calf’s liver with mash (£12). The portions were abolutely spot-on, we felt satisfied but certainly had room left for desert. My mother, a great cook in her own right, deemed the ingredients very fresh and of good quality though this should really be expected. The waiting time was ok but I’m always happy to wait a bit longer if it is obvious due care and attention has been given to the meal.
We were all looking forward to our deserts and weren’t disappointed when they arrived. We ordered three apple & blackcurrent crumbles(£5.50), each served with a generous helping of freshly made custard and fresh fruit.
The bill came to just less than £80 including drinks and service charge which, whilst not affordable on a regular basis, felt was fairly reasonable for the quality of our food and good service. We had a great evening and it was all the better for the style and atmosphere of the restaurant. We left well fed and watered; this is definately a great place to come for all sorts of occasions and I will ertainly be returning in the future.
Sebastian Chang
17/09/2008 09:00:00 - London-Eating.co.uk
I went to the Docklands Bar and Grill with high expectations after being strongly recommended to dine there by a friend. I booked a table for two a few weeks in advance and I was glad I did as it was buzzing. We were welcomed and served by polite and friendly staff. Our waiter suggested that my partner and I share the 'docklands sharing plate', which had a lovely mixture of meats, cheese and and greens. Paticularly memorable were the crab cakes that came with the platter.
For the main course I had the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie which was very good indeed and the seafood seemed genuinely fresh. My partner, a vegitarian, had a tomato and roast pepper tart with pesto which she said was surprisingly satisfying. Portions are generous and along with our starter, felt no need for any desert.
The bill came to just over £50 with a bottle of wine, reasonable I felt for the quality of food and service being offered. I'd happily recommend it and will definitely be going back there in the future.
Comment on this reader review
Michael White
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
For the main course I had the scallop, cod and prawn fish pie which was very good indeed and the seafood seemed genuinely fresh. My partner, a vegitarian, had a tomato and roast pepper tart with pesto which she said was surprisingly satisfying. Portions are generous and along with our starter, felt no need for any desert.
The bill came to just over £50 with a bottle of wine, reasonable I felt for the quality of food and service being offered. I'd happily recommend it and will definitely be going back there in the future.
Comment on this reader review
Michael White
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
09/09/2008 - Tour East London weekly email
Grand Opening of Docklands Bar & Grill at Crowne Plaza Docklands
The new Docklands Bar & Grill serves traditional British and European dishes at good value. Key is that all ingredients are locally sourced, fresh and of the best quality. The seasonal menu with daily changing food and wine specials will be served throughout the day until late in the restaurant and the bar.
The brasserie style restaurant with its comfortable lounge is open for lunch and dinner, excellent for family dining and corporate parties (Wi-Fi is available throughout). The long, bright, open bar with its impressive chandelier, is open till late and serves great wines, 18 different beers and imaginative cocktails, all with the perfect backdrop of the historic Royal Victoria Dock, The O2 and Canary Wharf.
For ideas inspirations on what to do and where to go in east London, go to VisitEastLondon.co.uk.
The new Docklands Bar & Grill serves traditional British and European dishes at good value. Key is that all ingredients are locally sourced, fresh and of the best quality. The seasonal menu with daily changing food and wine specials will be served throughout the day until late in the restaurant and the bar.
The brasserie style restaurant with its comfortable lounge is open for lunch and dinner, excellent for family dining and corporate parties (Wi-Fi is available throughout). The long, bright, open bar with its impressive chandelier, is open till late and serves great wines, 18 different beers and imaginative cocktails, all with the perfect backdrop of the historic Royal Victoria Dock, The O2 and Canary Wharf.
For ideas inspirations on what to do and where to go in east London, go to VisitEastLondon.co.uk.
Contact Us
Docklands Bar & Grill, Royal Victoria Dock, Western Gateway, London, E16 1AL
Tel: +44 (0)207 055 2119
Fax: +44 (0)870 990 9693
Tel: +44 (0)207 055 2119
Fax: +44 (0)870 990 9693
