Based in the brand new Westfield Stratford City, serving top-notch food and knockout cocktails alongside 14 stylish bowling lanes, the fourth addition to the All Star Lanes stable is certainly on track to become the best of the bunch.

The Venue
Nestled in the corner of the second floor, with its dark, imposing exterior, huge windows and signature red All Star Lanes sign, the venue looks sleek and inviting. On entering, you’ll be greeted by friendly hosts who’ll help find you a space should you wish to drink, dine or bowl (or all three, in fact). There’s a café-style area and coffee counter to the left, with comfy booth-style seating and views into the kitchen behind the counter. To the right is the bar, with more booth seating and high-top tables, and beyond that the more formal restaurant area. At the very back, stretching the length of the venue, are 14 bowling lanes, all with their own comfy, secluded booths. Furnishing is all dark wood, accentuated by carpets and chairs in brighter colours, and retro-style wallpaper.

The Atmosphere
Buzzing with lively chatter at most times, All Star Lanes Westfield Stratford attracts customers by the dozen, with the busiest times generally over the weekend. The venue is open to everyone from couples to birthday groups and families with children. Staff are friendly and eager to please, with managers on hand at all times, especially attentive to support new team members in these early stages. Having the option to bowl as well as eat and drink usually keeps customers in the venue for at least a few hours, giving the place a bustling, vibrant atmosphere throughout the day. Although up against plenty of food and drink competition from other venues on the same floor, you get the feeling that the opportunity to bowl (from £5 to £8 per person depending on the day) tips the balance when people are choosing where to spend their time.

The Food
The existing All Star Lanes’ menu has had a refreshing revamp for this opening. You’ll still find all the American-diner favourites, but there’s also a good range of fish dishes, pasta and even some enticing Latin street food. Snacks include crispy pork crackling (£2), chilli and taco shards (£4.50), and salted pretzels (£2), and are the ideal choice to order while you’re bowling (although, if you wish, you can order anything from the menu while you bowl). Appetisers such as sweetcorn chowder with tangy parmesan crisps (£4.50), popcorn salt and pepper squid with chilli jam (£5.50) and a short rack of ribs (£7) are guaranteed to get the taste buds tingling. Dishes under the Latin street food section are great to start, and just as good as sides. They would also be perfect ordered tapas-style for a mix and match meal – the refried bean and avocado tostadas, crispy tortillas topped with creamy beans and avocado (£5), are to die for.

Moving on to mains, you’ll probably be hard pushed to choose – but you can be assured there’s something for everyone here. The All Star 1/2lb prime beef burger (£9) is a popular choice. Served with fries, you can make this already mammoth burger even larger by adding bacon, Swiss cheese, mushrooms, blue cheese and fried onions for £1-£1.50 each. The mac and cheese (£9), baked with three cheeses, is a classic comforter, but if you fancy something a little different, don’t miss the basket of salt and pepper soft shell crab (£10) – succulent, perfectly seasoned crab (without the messy task of de-shelling, thankfully) with delicious sweet potato chips, which are a really nice change to your standard fries. Of course, there’s also a great selection of steaks, all cut from prime Scottish beef and aged for at least 21 days, ranging from £13 to £18. If you’ve come in with the appetite of a king, there are also sides, including slaw (£4), whipped potatoes (£3) and baked yam, maple and pecan syrup (£4). This is truly a million miles apart from your usual bowling-alley food.

The Drink
Boasting one of the UK’s most extensive lists of American whiskies, a tasty array of cocktails and a substantial list of wines and beers, the drinks here match up to the quality you’ll find in every other aspect of the venue. The cocktails are broken down into sections: favourites, jam jars, tiki, classics and to share. Get into the bowling mood with a Caucasian (£7), named such by The Big Lebowski’s ‘Dude’ himself – it’s a moreish blend of vodka, Kahlua and cream. For a tiki special, try the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai (£7.50): a potent yet fruity mix of Appleton VX, Gosling’s and Wray & Nephew rums, orange curacao, fresh lime and orgeat syrup – the Trader would be proud. The Mint Julep (£7.50) is a classic American choice, with more than 120,000 being sold at the Kentucky Derby every year; it’s a perfect cooler, with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, mint leaves and cane sugar.

Wines start at just £4 for a 175ml glass and £16 a bottle, and prosecco is available from just £5 for a 125ml glass. Beers continue the American theme, with specials from across the pond including Dixie lager (£3.80), Lone Star (£3.70), Anchor Steam (£4.50) and Pabst Blue Ribbon (£3.80) to name but a few.

The Last Word
All Star Lanes Westfield Stratford was perhaps the most surprising addition to the list of food and drink venues taking up residence at the new centre, but with its outstanding revamped menu and the great fun factor of its bowling, it is actually a true destination in itself, and it's one that offers the perfect place to unwind after a long day’s shopping.

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