Located adjacent to the lobby of the Crowne Plaza London Docklands hotel, the Docklands Bar and Grill isn’t just the average hotel restaurant. With impeccable service, sleek, sexy design, and fantastic menu, you don’t need to be a hotel guest to appreciate its perfection.

The Venue
Set overlooking the serene Royal Victoria Docks, the restaurant makes you forget that you’re in a big, crowded city. Outside seating is perfect for unwinding as you watch the swans go by in the distance. As you enter, the impressive large bar area lures you in with its stylish, modern and inviting interior. Furniture is done in earth tones and comfortable luxurious leather. High ceilings with floor to ceiling windows make the space bright and cheery. Dim recessed lighting and white bare walls are complemented by dark wood tables, burgundy leather chairs and deep red corduroy-like sofas lining the walls in the dining area. A simple pink daisy type flower in a small square vase decorates each table.

The Atmosphere
The clientele here is a mixture of hotel guests, locals, business people from the nearby ExCel centre and travellers using London City Airport. The staff are professional, polished and highly trained.

The Food
The Caesar salad with char-grilled chicken starter is served in a rustic wooden bowl and could easily be enough for your main course. Romaine lettuce is delicately dressed in authentic Caesar dressing – you can taste the anchovies. Croutons, shaved parmesan cheese and grilled chicken breast make this a hearty and satisfying salad. Another delicious starter is the mozzarella bocconcini with yellow, green and plum tomatoes topped with oil, vinegar and fresh basil (£6.25). The rainbow of yellow, green and red tomatoes are artistically arranged on the dish and complement the soft, milky mozzarella cheese.

For a main course, if you love steak, then you must have the Scottish 28 day dry aged sirloin (£21.95) which comes served on a wood chopping block with a side of thick cut chips (£2.95), bearnaise sauce and grilled tomato. It’s cooked to your liking but if ordered medium well this steak is juicy, tender and melts in your mouth. A vegetarian main worth ordering is the roast peppers, spinach, polenta and mushrooms (£9.95). A triangle of thick polenta seasoned with cheddar and parmesan cheese is grilled and presented with sauteed spinach, roasted peppers, onions and a large meaty mushroom cap. Add hand cut fries seasoned with garlic and parsley (£2.95) and you have a winning combination.

For dessert there is a selection of Jude’s ice cream and sorbets (£5.50) including vanilla, strawberry and mango sorbet, which are creamy, natural and refreshing. The poached peaches with pistachio ice cream (£5.50) is another memorable dessert as the sweet, delicate peaches taste delicious with the nutty pistachio ice cream.

The Drink
There is an extensive and impressive selection of drinks at Docklands Bar and Grill. Wines include white, red, rose and dessert wines and bottles range from around £18 to £85. You can also get champagne, prosecco and many cocktails such as the Dark Angel and Thai Me Up, both £9.95.

The Last Word
Escape the city madness and head out to the peaceful Docklands for elegance, class, and seclusion. Docklands Bar and Grill has all this plus amazing food.

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