Plateau, Canary Wharf – Review

If you should go down to the Canary Wharf today- be sure of a big surprise. Plateau: a top notch restaurant making waves in an overcrowded industry.

This bar, grill and first class restaurant is part of the D&D family, a company set up by the father of stylish modern living, Terence Conran. The restaurant`s chic interior made special by panoramic views overlooking Canada Square has made a dramatic impact on visitors, and when I arrived mid week their bar was packed with a sea of suits and cocktail skirts. I had a feeling I was on to a good thing.

Kicking off the evening with a stunning looking and even better tasting passion fruit martini I had a quick chat with their manager. They`ve recently made some changes to the place that includes regular cocktail master classes and also the hiring of incredible chef Allan Pickett. Judging by the smiling faces all around me they must be doing something right!

Heading into the restaurant section the mood altered and a calmer, subtler ambience descended. This is the great advantage to Plateau – you can mix and match you evening according to mood and temperament.

My friend arrived and we were seated at our table for two in the light, smart contemporary dining room with floor to ceiling wrap around windows – we felt incredibly spoilt! In fact design lovers will adore the décor as iconic furniture from Eero Saarinen graces the whole interior, from his Tulip tables to the Castiglioni style Arco floor lamps, it`s a modern masterpiece. Throw in the office lights twinkling as brightly as a Manhattan skyline and you could be smack bang in the middle of New York City. Fabulous!

Allan`s French inspired cuisine turned out to be the real star of the evening: scallops in creamy veloute, rich port marinated foi gras decorated with raisin puree, seared fillets of meaty red mullet complimented by aubergine caviar, aged yet tender roast beef and buttered spinach- all was utterly divine. Did we have room for desert? Of course! Check out the coconut créme brulee and house cheesecake with blackberry sorbet – exquisite, not a licking was left on our plates.

With their well-informed sommelier attending to our white, red and desert wine needs we were suitably merry by the time it came to a sobering coffee before the journey home.
So for a touch of NYC loft living I highly recommend heading to Plateau – Who needs Manhattan anyway?