Those that consistently vote it the funniest TV moment of all time will probably always associate the term wine bar with Del Boy falling arse over head in Only Fools and Horses, but Jamies has overcome this unfortunate mental correlation to become an established chain of wine bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, the spectre of Derek Trotter still lingers in the sharp-suited form of the modern yuppie.

The Venue
Jamies Canary Wharf benefits from a more picturesque locale than the smog-clouded City – not actually at Canary Wharf but at nearby Westferry, it can be found on the Thameside Walk, a riverbank refuge with plentiful pavement seating overlooked by trees adorned with fairy lights.

Unfortunately, you can’t have it all, and the interior’s as dull as the exterior is pleasant. Paling in comparison to the grandeur of Jamies Bishopsgate, the slickest feature the Canary Wharf branch has to offer inside is a glossy curved bar. Around it is comfortable if conventional seating arrangements (upright chairs and tables for diners, leather sofas for loungers), generic modern art, and an insipid magnolia-oak colour scheme.

The Atmosphere
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a bar so close to a financial hub, Jamies Canary Wharf is a bit of a throwback to the yuppie era. It even advertises as a place to host business meetings and it’s fit for purpose, being bland but smart enough to actually make a rather chic office space.

On weeknights, Jamies Canary Wharf is crawling with businessmen, although being a little further removed from the office towers it’s not as bustling as West India Quay. Unless you’re turned on by money talk, it’s best enjoyed during the day when you can have a leisurely cup of coffee or lunch by the river, or at the weekend when most of the residents have retired to their homes in the country.

The Food
The food menu ranges in size from sandwiches and canapes to sharing platters and main meals, and incorporates tastes from Britain (featuring ultra-traditional mains such as gammon and eggs) to the Mediterranean (the mezze platter) and the Far East (the Oriental platter).

All starters are under £5, while mains range from £8.50-£13.95, which is good value for the area. For dessert, the strawberries, kiwi fruit, banana, and cream filled profiteroles served with a warm chocolate fondue sounds especially good but could prove a severe hazard to designer livery.

The Drink
For a wine bar, the selection isn’t that much broader than today’s average upmarket saloon, but the choices do at least appear to have been carefully sourced and considered, with something for every palate. The price for a bottle is generally around the £20 mark. There’s also a short cocktail list, bolstered by the pledge that a members of staff will be glad to make your favourite if it’s not featured, and a solid choice of draught beers, bottled beers and spirits.

The Last Word
It was acceptable in the ‘80s, but we tend to expect better in the ‘00s.

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