London--Any great restaurants near Canary Warf?

[LostBread]

Hi, all--
I'm tagging along on my husband's business trip to London tomorrow, where we'll be staying the better part of a week in a hotel near his company's London office near Canary Warf. While we intend to head towards the center for dinner on most nights, I suspect there will be a few when work and jet lag will conspire to keep us closer to our home base. Are there any restaurants near Canary Warf worth one of our seven nights? Otherwise, we're planning on Tayyab, Hereford Road, and St. John, and we'd love to hear any complimentary suggestions!

Thanks very much!

[Baines]

I went to The Gun on Sunday evening, I had a brilliant meal, plenty of Game available right now. service was very good, not pushy. worth the long walk.

[batfink23]

Great restaurants, no there isn't.

why anyone would mention jamie's or wahaca in a request for great restaurants is beyond me - they have a nice Leon too. ;o)

Roka is nice, but seems to have lost something from its original in Charlotte St.
Plateau isn't bad, nice view. but really, the answer is no. nothing great.

Canteen is a nice british type experience too.

[PhilD]

Bat, I am with you on this one.

OK Jamie's may be a choice of last resort but it is a high street chain with production line cooking. It is a triumph of the stylists art, bringing to life the Jamie Oliver image that he cultivates in his books and TV shows. If the choice is only high street chains then Jamie's is at the better end, but being at the better end of British high street food is not a ringing endorsement.

I have eaten at Jamie's twice, the second time was because our first meal, in the opening week, was so bad, we thought it fair to give it another go. It was better but not good enough for me to return again.

[juniper77]

The new Jamie's is fine - nothing amazing but equally, not bad. A new branch of Canteen has also just opened and I had a really good meal there last week - good solid British food, including a daily changing pie and roast.
There are loads of pubs/bars in the area, some of which would probably be quite acceptable for those nights when you couldn't be bothered. Alternatively, there's a lovely Waitrose (supermarket) in the shopping mall - you could pick up some goodies there and have a carpet picnic back in your hotel. They also have a number of food concessions within the shop - sushi, steak, and a tapas place - if you're just looking for a functional, quick dinner, they'd probably be fine.

[pj26]

As already mentioned, Royal China and Roka, and for good tapas, El Faro near Crossharbour DLR station.

[olive_surprise]

Jamie's Italian - just remember that you can't book, you just turn up. We waited for an hour (this was a couple of weeks after opening), but it was OK - get a G&T, watch the world go by. A right mish-mash of styles inside - from Tuscan rustic to graffitied staircases to legs of ham strung up around the place.

You can see a sample menu here: http://bit.ly/3797QK - we had antipasti that included stuffed peppers, anchovies and ricotta cheese. Then I had sardines for main, while my boyfriend had sausage papardelle. Probably the best thing is that most courses are available in small and large sizes.

I don't think it'll necessarily be the absolute best food of your life...but it's very buzzy, by the water, lots of opportunity for people-watching and you'll have a good night.

For food in town - try Mark Hix's Albemarle (off Bond Street) for melt-in-the-mouth Lancashire hotpot and other outstanding British classics.

[quesofundido]

Jamie's Italian has just opened. I haven't eaten there yet, but the people I know who have recommend it.

[PhilD]

I have eaten at 'Jamie's" in Bath, it was overpriced and not especially inspiring. It may be better than other high street chains (and it is a high street chain) but there must be better local options.

[alexdz]

There is a Royal China which overlooks the river. And one of them expensive argentinian steak houses next door. Nothing to blow your socks off though. The Gun still does decent meal, and pint, but it's a fair trek from Canary wharf if you dont go through the warehouses where they have the 5aside.

[limster]

How is the Gun these days?

[abby d]

london bridge is only 3 stops on the jubilee line so that might be another option. magdalen is wonderful and brindisa is also there if you fancy spanish tapas (their orange-stuffed gordal olives are always worth trying).

[t_g]

the only one i can think of is the new roka thats just opened

[LostBread]

Thanks! I was worried!

[DollyDagger]

The new Roka would be a great choice if you like Japanese. Not cheap but well worth the money.

Otherwise, the third branch of Wahaha's Mexican street food opens next week. Relaxed but could be good if you don't want anything fancy.