Dickens

Dickens Restaurant
St. Katherine's Dock
London

Thu. 27th April 2000

After a busy day in London, I wasn't feeling too well, and certainly didn't have much appetite. I decided on a walk - Leadenhall Street, past the "Caravaggio" (I must try this next tie I'm down here!) and on to Tower Bridge, where I received a call from my brother. We arranged to meet, and I wandered over to Butler's Wharf where the only menu to inspire any interest was too expensive. However, on the alley behind is a catering school - may be next time I'm down there I'll try that as well!

By the time my brother arrived, it was getting on - maybe 9:30pm - and my appetite was still poor. We wandered round the dock, enviously eyeing up the boats, then settled on the Dickens Restaurant, above the large Dickens Pub.

We both settled for Rib steaks, and were presented with a basket of bread, with olives, which could have fed a family. As the bread was pretty good, we managed to munch through it before the main course arrived.

Beers were extraordinarily expensive - you may be used to paying £2.50 for a bottle in London, but £3.80 for a 27cl! stubby was OTT - we ordered a bottle of the house red! 

The steaks were very nicely flavoured - but I would have appreciated a really sharp knife - it was really hard work with a standard table knife.

At just over £25 each inclusive, it wasn't bad. Maybe with a better appetite I would have enjoyed it more - or may be I'd have gone somewhere more "interesting".

I can't think why I would return to the Dickens - if I were staying at the Tower Thistle, the choices would seem to be: eat there, across the river at Butler's Wharf, or up the road to Cafe Spice (see review). There are a couple of other restaurants nearby that I know nothing of, but will try next time.

Maybe if I was berthing my boat in St. Katherine's dock, the Dickens would be a convenient place for a meal?

Verdict: Passable (in both senses of the word!)

Sandro