The Waterfront is a great place to unwind with flavourful homemade food and some quality beers and wine. The interior is uber-modern, with relaxing music, large bouquets of flowers and friendly staff.

The Venue
As the name suggests, The Waterfront is a great venue to watch the world drift by on the Thames. There is a large outdoor decking area with picnic tables, which might be one of the only places in Central London to enjoy the tranquillity of the river. The ground floor, open plan restaurant looks like it sprung into existence yesterday, although it has been there for a few years. It’s situated in the modern Battersea Reach development, next to Wandsworth Bridge, about a 5 minute bus journey from Clapham Junction - the nearest underground station.

The Atmosphere
The ambience at The Waterfront is relaxed, but the decor is almost too modern for its own good. Not a single pepper pot is out of place, and every surface that can be polished has been polished twice. While this may diminish the potential for charm, you will be impressed by the oversized chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, the huge bouquets of fresh flowers and the metre-long gas fire next to the dining tables.

The music is relaxing lounge, nice if you want to listen to it, but doesn’t force you to. The manager seems to greet almost everyone who walks in by their first name. Being inside the Battersea Reach, it is not a venue you are likely to stumble across, but well worth the stumble if you do.

Food
Expect honest, homemade food with generous portions and reasonable prices (mains are about a tenner).

For starters, the Chef’s soup of the day, for under a fiver, includes flavours such as carrot and coriander - the taste is spot on, with a good infusion of the two main tastes, but the consistency can be a little on the watery side. However, you will really get more than you bargained for with the warm salad of goats cheese and walnut dressing (ample portion - £7.50, generous - £11). The ample portion is two huge slices of crusty bread covered in melted goat’s cheese, placed on a crispy mixed leaf salad.

For mains, the chicken pie (£10.50) is served in a ceramic pot, with tasty pastry spread on top. The side of mash is creamy, but the filling of the pie is a touch on the watery side. However, try the fillet of salmon (£14) - baked to perfection and placed on a generous helping of crushed onion and potato. The base also has a sweet pomegranate balsamic essence, which will leave you wanting more.

Desserts are good value for money, the banoffee pie (£6) has a great flavour and comes in a generous portion - definitely worth a try.

The Drink
The bar at The Waterfront is stocked with a good selection of Young's ales, and Peroni is also available on draught (£3.95 a pint). The extensive wine list favours New World flavours, with house wine starting at £14.95 a bottle.

The Last Word
Although the venue is hard to find, the comfortable seats, river view and soothing lounge music will make it even harder to leave. The homemade food is delicious and the bar is well stocked. If you like an ultra-modern gastropub, you will not be disappointed.

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