Le Pont de la Wotsit
I used to quite like the Pont and it would have been my go to restaurant when nothing else was available. The views of the river are lovely and Tower bridge is quite visible from the terrace and window seating. The phood was nothing special by always good.
So it was a slightly sad to have to report. Phood wasn’t good on this occasion. My mains: Parmentier was so salty it made me think of going for a dip in the sea. The rest of my menu was infinity forgettable and I know I will.
Despite sitting by the window the view that would have been was restricted by a huge river boat moored across the length of the window and with the restaurant awning stretched out fully thus ensuring a further restricted view of Tower Bridge. Nothing was on show and certainly not my amusement.
The service was rather annoying too. My companion & I were constantly interrupted after the arrival of each course when we were in deep conversation, which was unnecessary. ~You don’t never interrupt females in deep, deep tête-à-tête usually and live to tell the tale.~ Naturally, when we actually required assistance you couldn’t catch the eye of a fly. On the same day as I dined at The Pont David Sexton of the Evening Standard was also not impressed by the service….he wrote: “…we found the service excessive, not just obsequious and over-congratulatory but almost harassing.” Not just me then!
We were seated by the window, which was completely redundant due to lack of view, but to further aggravate during our first course two further diners were seated at the table right next to ours. The layout of the tables meant for me that one of the chairs of the next table was right next to mine. As the diner sat down she banged my chair repeatedly and then when they fell to chatting in tones otherwise referred to as shrieks the sound was unbelievably noisy and disturbing. To cap all this the restaurant was hardly full and there was absolutely no need to place anyone next to our table or any other table in the whole restaurant. I blame firstly the restaurant for this and secondly the diners for not asking to be seated elsewhere……I would have done that! Why is it restaurants always want to crowd diners into one tiny area of their establishments at slow times?
And the loos, don’t even ask me about them….they were so dark I needed to strike a match, which meant that when one left the cave-like setting the light in the restaurant was as dazzling as that of a paparazzi’s flashbulb.
Suffice it to say I am not thinking of hurrying back soon. Shame! Even more of a “Shame” as The Pont had been undergoing a make-over since August with a re-launched on Monday 28th September…let’s just hope they settle down soon…….and get back to their winning ways.
Pinkietessa on top of the world in the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is atop the “Walkie Talkie”, Rafael Vinoly’s 37 storey building (525 feet), it is also known as 20 Fenchurch Street located in the City of London. The top three floors are dedicated to the Sky Garden, there is free entrance, but that does come with a huge security debacle (as are all these buildings). The Sky Garden has it’s own dedicated entrance around the side. You need to book on on-line and take photo ID with you and of course your bags are scanned, pockets emptied and there is a mandatory strip search………….aaaaawwwah! only kidding!!!
Within the region of the Sky Garden there is a cafe in the main area and within this ginormous space is another smaller building up on high containing a restaurant and bar. The gardens are found on either side of the restaurant accessed by two sets of staircase. The views are limitless and positively sensational, the space is prodigious allowing for the most beautiful light and airy feel.
Electing to avoid the hullabaloo of the main cafe my companion and I took up residence at the bar in the restaurant, which nearly lost my fraternization as they were out of The Favourite Tipple. Fortunately for the bar staff a bottle with a shot and a half swirling around in it was found in the drink’s well by which means all was saved. I will say the “ladies” were one of the darkest loos I have ever been in. Wot is this trending-lark with the dark loos….not my idea of a hoot! Stop this trend immediately is all I can say.
PS …Groovey bit…. is an open to the elements viewing balcony that is by good design hemmed in on all sides so you don’t get blown to pieces…. which gets my vote and seal of approval!
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