Battery

I took a client to Battery last week, not quite sure to expect - a look at Google Maps gives the impression you can only reach it on foot by negotiating a lengthy concentric road system reminiscent of the M6 outside Birmingham. Would I perhaps need to take a taxi?

In fact it's a gentle, pleasant and straight 4-minute stroll from Cabot Square, or about 8 minutes from Canary Wharf Underground, with no challenges for the pedestrian whatsoever. Aim for the 4 Seasons Hotel, walk along the driveway past the entrance and there is a barred gate on the left. Ring the bell and you are admitted to a garden. Go 50 yards straight ahead and there is a lift to take you above the indoor swimming pool of the gym complex, up to the restaurant.

The decor is a little on the bland side, the carpet is a little busy, but if you're taking any notice of those, you're missing the point, which is the stupendous view over and up and down the river from the room-wide tall windows.

The room was empty of other diners when we arrived at 12:15, and throughout, there were only three tables occupied, including ours. Well, I can say that bothered us not a jot. The sun was shining brightly through the glass, and the maitre d' lowered the semi-translucent canvas blind just enough to keep the sun out of my eyes, while still preserving the view.

Others have commented on the menu. I couldn't see much that was strange about it, other than a slight preoccupation with sharing certain dishes. But there is good fish and good meat ,and there are nice side dishes at £3.50 each, and attractive starters, and reasonable deserts - quite honestly, nothing to dislike, and a great deal to like, at prices that are very reasonable given the quality of the cooking and the uniqueness of the location. Something for everyone, I would say. I had scallops to start, not a vast portion, but enough, beautifully cooked and presented, likewise my companion's tiger prawns. We both went the fish route again with sea bream (filleted, at my request - no problem) and monkfish for mains, good portions, with sides of square-cut chips, straw fries and rocket and parmesan salad - everything irreproachable.

All of this washed down with a lovely and not over-chilled Saint Veran 2008 at £37. And here I must mention that the service is smilingly attentive but not oppressive, and the waiting staff replenish your glass at just the right moment, not up to the brim, but halfway, staving off thirst while keeping the bottle alive for longer. I can't praise this enough.

For dessert we went for the shared sherry trifle (individual portions not on offer), and I must admit I couldn't see the point. If you were to have two smallish portions of different deserts to share between you for £10, it might just about make sense, but it was a decent portion, which we spooned out of the same glass. We weren't lovers on a first date, but two oldish guys in suits out for a business lunch, and if it felt odd to us, it must have looked even stranger to our fellow-diners. The trifle was good, but not special. We helped it on its way with a 50cl bottle of a very appealing Monbazillac at £22.

We arrived at 12:15pm, intending to be out by 2pm, but the sunshine on the water and on our table, the view of the river boats and river taxis gliding up and down, and an overall feeling of "if this isn't the life, it'll do till the life comes along", kept us comfortably in our seats until nearly 3pm.

The room is spacious but not overwhelming, tables are not crammed together, the leather chairs are nicely padded, and the food, the wines and the service were all excellent, although admittedly not tested by a full dining-room. But I can only speak as I found: the staff were quietly professional, and that makes me think that most probably the restaurant can perform under pressure.

I would have no hesitation in taking my wife to Battery for a romantic evening - I can imagine that the view of the river sparkling with light from the night-time city would be at least as captivating, and I doubt that even a rainy day would take away the feeling of well-being.

It is bordering on tragic that Battery is under-patronised, but I can assure you that even if you are the only diners there, you will not feel lonely (assuming you like to talk to each other and not eat in gloomy silence) - the view will see to that. Expect to pay £70 a head if you're reasonable drinkers, £85-ish a head or more if you go large. Not a give-away, but value for what it is. The wine list starts low (c.£20) with some good choices, and doesn't accelerate too fiercely. Overall, you can pay a lot more for a lot less elsewhere in Canary Wharf and in Central London.
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Martin
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, December 03, 2010

After reading the previous reviews my girlfriend and I thought we would give Battery a go for ourselves. Firstly the atmosphere is very bad (mainly due to a complete lack of people in the restaurant even at 8pm on a Friday night) When you walk in there is an old bar and then the restaurant in front of it with some massive rug that must have been bought in the 80s.

The view from the restaurant is amazing which is a definite plus point. Food wise the starters (Prawns and Scallops were very good) but the mains (Monkfish and Steak) were bland and overpriced.

To be honest this restaurant has so much potential but I just feel they are confused. The staff are trying too hard to make it a fine dining experience but the music playing in the background contradicts this. In addition there are silly little things that let this restaurant down (no oyster forks even though they are selling oysters, forgetting what wine was ordered then having to come back to ask again, different waiters serving the table and bringing bread over 3 times as if we had just sat down) all of these things wouldn’t be so bad if they were rushed off their feet but with only 10 people in the restaurant on a Friday night I would expect better.

For me the Management need to modernise the restaurant and bar, make an amazing cocktail bar which is elegant with amazing views, keep the quality of food consistent and begin to advertise to the thousands of people on the Isle of Dogs ready to come and spend some hard earn pounds throughout the week for dinner and lunch but who instead are packing out Smollensky’s and Cafe Rouge.

For now though I won't be going back.
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Rich
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Saturday, November 20, 2010

We just happended to discover this place on one of our Sunday walks and I am glad we gave it a try:

Battery is perched high above the bend of the river Thames (on top of the Virgin Active gym. Entrance through a gate, you have to ring) and offers a perfect view of the city skyline - no other restaurant in Canary Wharf offers such amazing views: The Plateau only gives you a view of Canada Square - the same is true for Roka and Wahaca.

The service was excellent, friendly and everyone was there to help where they could. Even the general manager was on duty to make you feel comfortable.

We were greeted with complimentary champagne and went for prawns / scallops as starter and pork chops / fillet mignon as a main.

The prawns were the biggest I have ever had and were neither to tender nor to firm. The scallops were served between two slices of toasted bread (one slice would probably have been enough given the scallops delicate flavour).

Pork chops and fillet which we ordered medium rare were perfectly cooked to that point and very tender. Accompanying sauces delicious.

Unfortunately we had to skip the pudding, because we were quite stuffed after those two courses but will definitely come back to try them. Prices were reasonable.

It is a shame that this place seems not yet get the attention it should - more guests would also help to improve the atmoshpere. The only explanation I can find for this is that The Battery is not straightforward to find and has only recently changed management.
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Andreas Tauer
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 13, 2010

The food was great, high quality and above our expectations. Starters & main courses were fantastic & original. Deserts in our opinion did not match them, but still good but expected more exciting choices from the Panna Cotta, Chocolate Fondant etc. We are very happy to see a new quality restaurant which is serious about food around Canary Wharf, a good change to the standard chains. Service was excellent, atmosphere was good although it could be more busy to give it more charm.

Shame that it isn't open on weekends or open until later hours, I think it must have to do with the venue as UBON also had the same hours, making it more restricted.

We shall definitely go back.
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BS
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Just fantastic.

Welcome - this was excellent. Everybody smiling, coats being taken efficiently and the table was stunning. First impressions of the room is that it is very elegant, plenty of space between the tables and of course, a great view.

Directions - Finding Battery was very difficult. Also, entering through the gym and bumping into people in cycling shorts isn't ideal but I appreciate that is the space and there's little that can be done about it.

Menu - The key premise of the menu is all about "sourcing the finest ingredients" and creating dishes to match the quality ingredients..

Cocktail - A waiter recommended the Lychee cocktail which was just fantastic and so very fresh. Loved it. An excellent aperitif.

Ordering - Ordering the food was very efficient and friendly. It was good to be told that the pigeon comes pink.

Carrot Soup with compliments of the Chef - this was very tasty and so fresh. Really enjoyed it.

Scallops - lovely plate of food which looked great. Of the 6 scallops, three were chewy. The accompaniments to the scallops were lovely especially the mini boudin noir (which wasn't on the menu) and feel this should have been on the menu as it really made the dish.

White Alba truffle - WOW. One of the best starters ive ever had. Such superb flavour and delicate presentation of the plate. The truffle combined with the perfectly cooked egg so well. Amazing.

Sea bass - the fish was moist and tasty.

Pigeon - Very very good. Cooked rare and was packed with flavour. A quality bird.

French beans and mushrooms - excellent side dishes, especially the mushrooms. Creamy and very seasonal.

Cheese - lovely variety of French and British cheeses and excellent bread/biscuits that came with the cheese.

Choc Fondant - This had a strong orangey flavour in the fondant which I really enjoyed although wasn't on the menu. The ice cream was the creamiest ice cream ive ever eaten. Very good.
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mark c
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 07, 2009