wharf.co.uk Wharf · Le Pont De La Tour, 36D Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YE, lepontdelatour.co.uk. T here was a time when the snobs in Westminster would sneer at their cousins from

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MARCH 27, 2014

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61THE WHARF MARCH 27 2014 wharf.co.uk

A stunning setting for a special dinner

Bordeaux from Chateau de Ricaud matched perfectly with the rich dish.

A trio of beautiful desserts rounded off the meal. The fantastic chocolate mousse just outshone the dark chocolate crumble and the salted caramel ice cream.

Very good, but in high-end London terms standard. It’s really the impeccable service, the surroundings and the view that put this restaurant up there with the best.■ For Mother’s Day Le Pont is charging £50 for three courses including mains of rack of lamb, pan fried sea bass fillet and sirloin of beef. Le Pont De La Tour, 36D Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YE, lepontdelatour.co.uk.

There was a time when the snobs in Westminster would sneer at their cousins from over the Thames.

They would laugh at the south-erners’ rags and their brawling in pubs while they themselves quaffed Champagne in their top hats and tails.

Thar was long ago however – summer 2012 in fact – as nowadays the folk from the north sneak over London Bridge with their literal tails between their legs and top hats doffed.

They go to The Shard mainly, for trendy shiny bars like Aqua to ‘rough it’.

But little do they know the Lambethians and Southwarkers have been living the life of luxury for years thanks in great part to Le Pont De La Tour.

This spectacular venue sits at the end of Tower Bridge, offering fantastic views across the Thames. Inside it treads a fine line between refined and sleek modern.

The first room you come to is dominated by a grand piano, a real boon for the environment. In the second room, large windows allow diners to make the most of one of the best views from a restaurant in the capital.

And what better reason to go than to sample the tasting menu, currently priced at a very competitive £50 or £85 with wine pairings?

First came the mouth-watering fruit de mer ceviche to set the scene for the meal.

Next up was a fresh tasting salad of Dorset crab, served on melba toast, followed by pan fried foie gras and braised chicory with a red wine sauce. The latter was perhaps the weakest of the offerings.

Next a delicious loin of venison came. Served with braised salsify and beetroot, as well as sauteed Brussels sprouts. It proved the perfect combination. The accompaniment of a 2005

REVIEWLe Pont de la TourShad Thames

With an iconic landmark in the background, Rob Virtue finds a venue that’s ideal for special occasions

Our verdictOne of the best views in London

★★★★✩

Is it worth heading over Tower Bridge for Le Pont?“The Lambethians and Southwarkers have been living the life of luxury for years.”

Tower Bridge opens for a tall ship as viewed

from Le Pont de la Tour’s terrace

The restaurant’stake on loin

of venison

★ Make fish the focus of your day with Billingsgate Market’s series of Seafood

Discovery Lunches.Tuck into wine and fish pairings on April 3, or

hold out for wine and shellfish collaboration on June 11, for the tasting sessions led by master of wine, Nancy Gilchrist.

First course dishes on the menu could include taramasalata, smoked fish blinis, salt cod and sweet potato fish cakes, served up with matching wines. The initial tasting plates will be followed by a seafood main course.

Ideal for those who enjoy seafood and would like some expert advice about matching their dishes with wine, The Wharf readers will be treated to a £10 discount – with sessions now costing £50 – or a £95pp deal when both dates are booked together. To book phone 020 7517 3548 and quote The Wharf.Go to seafoodtraining.org.

Special offer for Wharf’s readers

The freshest seafood in the capital meets wine at these events

Amerigo Vespucci is one of the longest established independentrestaurants on theWharf, celebrating 17 Years serving Italian Cuisineas only true Italians do.

THE FUTURE IS CLEAR.BRAND NEWTERRACE, NEWALFRESCOBAR, RIVERSIDE LOCATION,SERVINGITALIAN TAPAS, SPORTINGEVENTS ON TV,NOWOPENALLDAYFOR COFFEEANDPASTRIES. IDEALOLYMPICVENUE.

AMERIGOVESPUCCI

Amerigo Vespucci,25 Cabot Square,CanaryWharf,London E14 4QA0207 513 0288

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