Pages

Monday 11 April 2011

Cocktails in an old Hydraulic Power Station.

If you know me well, you'll know that I love all things quirky and strange. I am obsessed with old, shabby, abandoned buildings so when I found out there was an old power station in London that has been converted into a restaurant I was desperate to go there.
My bf and I went into London and caught the tube to Wapping to go to the restaurant. Once we entered it definitely lived up to its expectations. The huge area was filled completely with old equipment from the power station along with modern white plastic tables and chairs, all which had large white candles sitting on top.


The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station was built in 1890 and was originally operated using steam, but later on it was converted to use electricity. The station powered machinery, including elevators across London.
It closed as a pumping station in 1977, then converted and reopened as an arts centre called the Wapping Project and also a restaurant, Wapping Food.


We had already had lunch so decided to share a desert with a non alcoholic drink, but once I saw the list of tasty cocktails on the menu I just had to get the passionfruit daiquiri!
The waitress was really nice and our desert and drinks didn't take too long to get back to us. Once we got our lemon curd meringue we tucked into it straight away. The presentation of the tart was really eyecatching and it tasted even better than it looked when we had the first mouthfull! The tart was done to perfection and had the exact right amount of sweetness and tartness to it.


The daiquiri was equally amazing, even though the price was a little steep (£9) and it wasn't frozen like I normally like my daiquiris, the flavour made up for it as it was all balanced perfectly. The presentation was nice and simple with just a small slice of lime on the edge of the martini glass.

When we had finished a bubbly lady came up to us and took our plates and had a chat with us. She asked if we had gone to see the exhibition yet to which we replied no, she then said that I would enjoy it greatly, especially seeing as though i'd just had a cocktail!

Once we had paid the bill which came in at just under £20 we walked through some big metal doors like she told us to and arrived in a very dark area. At first I wasn't even sure what I was looking at, but once my eyes adjusted I realised the room was actually the basement of the ld power station and there was someone paddling a tiny wooden boat around in the water, taking one or two people for a ride in it while some very quirky, yet slightly eerie music played on in the background.
I wasn't game enough to actually get on the boat, but we stayed for a little while and watched.

Anyway, I am very pleased that I discovered this place and would definitely head back for dinner next time I am in London!


The Wapping Project
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station
Wapping Wall, London, Greater London E1W 3ST
Ph: 020 7680 2080

Comments:

Free Blog Template by June Lily