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The Londoner's Guide to London
14 October 2008
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The Waterway

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54-56 Formosa Street,
Maida Vale,
London,
W9 2JU

0872 148 0744 Calls to 0871 numbers will be charged at a fixed rate of 10p per minute (from a landline or a mobile) no matter where you are within the UK. This number is unique to viewlondon.co.uk.

The ViewLondon Review

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Review byHenrietta Clancy26/09/2007
Neighbouring Little Venice and sitting prettily on the canal with an unbeatable view of hand painted barges for hire, The Waterway is an ideal setting for an evening of fine dining or a cocktail with friends.

The Venue
Slightly tucked away, the first part of The Waterway that falls into sight is the decked terrace, complete with a sprinkling of umbrellas and heaters, that’s generally heaving in the summer months. The inside space is equally as inviting with wooden floorboards and comfy brown leather benches throughout.

The Atmosphere
Visiting The Waterway is pleasantly similar to dinning on the French Riviera, though without the climate to match. This is the perfect place to relax in a picturesque setting. The Waterway is certainly not undiscovered; be wary of showing up on a Saturday night for a beverage with a view, you’ll be more likely to experience a scrum whilst enduring a 10 minute wait for your Hoegarden. Booking is highly recommended over the weekend. Although the service is generally good, expect a wait during busier times as they are slightly understaffed considering the volume of people.

The Food
The terrace menu is refreshingly small whilst still managing to be full of tempting options and the main menu is an expansion of this. Some quirky takes on common salads are not to be missed; the watermelon and duck salad with fresh mint and coriander, red chilli, cashew nuts and a hoi-sin dressing is even better than it sounds and makes a great lunch dish, as does the mackerel, new potato, beetroot, orange and horseradish salad.

For those who prefer some traditional pub fare there is the Waterway burger and the roast rib of beef; the former being a lovingly handmade enterprise with a plethora of exciting trimmings, and the latter being a generous portion of tender meat with an impressive Yorkshire pudding. The food isn’t cheap and the portions aren’t always large (you certainly won’t get away with substituting a starter for a main), but the quality is excellent and seeing as there are also puddings and fine cheeses on offer, you’ll be glad for the space.

The Drink
A cocktail on the terrace is a reason alone to visit The Waterway, and the ginger margaritas, champagne mojitos and mint juleps are certainly crafted by expert hands. The wine list is extensive and the connoisseur will be spoiled for choice by a healthy mix of old and new world. Those only wishing to have a glass won’t be limited to the house either and there is an array of champagne and dessert wine for the more decadent diner. And then of course there are the obligatory European wheat beers that are universally on offer in the Warwick Avenue area.

The Last Word
Delicious and quirky food, great quality drinks and an unmatched setting. Whether you are looking for a quick drink or extravagant feast, The Waterway has something to offer everyone.
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