By Nicola Moyne
WITH the release of SATC2 (that’s Sex and the City 2 to those of you who have let the fashionable series pass you by) fast approaching, cocktails are making a comeback in a big way this summer, and The Parlour in Canary Wharf is capitalising on what women want.
Boasting sensational skinny cocktails containing less than 100 calories, The Parlour is fast becoming the place to go with your girlfriends, and obviously I just had to see what all the fuss was about.
Situated directly opposite Canary Wharf tube station, the achingly trendy restaurant is ideally situated for after-work drinks or a weekend waterhole and if it’s the cocktails you’ve come for, you won’t be disappointed.
I tucked into a skinny blueberry sour on my visit and was thrilled to learn that skinny doesn’t equal flavourless. The super fruit thirst-quencher was a complete (guilt-free) treat and served as the perfect drink to ponder over the menu with.
Indeed, while it may be the drinks list that entices people through the doors, the food will ensure you to stay all night and I thoroughly enjoyed a sharing board complete with chargrilled aubergines, courgettes, artichokes, sun-ripened tomatoes, olives, mozzarella and traditional homemade breads, for a starter.
Next up was a dish of traditional chargrilled pork sausages, mashed potatoes and red onion gravy. It was wonderfully presented and the gravy complemented the mash and meat perfectly.
But the crème de la resistance was yet to come. Mouth-watering desserts jump out at you on the menu, and in the end I plumped for apple crumple with custard. To say it was heaven would be an understatement, and washed down with a spectacular liqueur coffee afterwards, it was a fantastic end to a wonderful meal.
However, with a great soundtrack playing and a buzzing vibe, I didn’t want to leave The Parlour and stayed on to party the night away in the modern bar, which boasts a secret-garden inspired lounge and low slung rocking chairs. Carrie Bradshaw, eat your heart out.
For more details on The Parlour, which also features an al fresco dining area perfect for summer, visit www.theparlourbar.co.uk or call 0845 468 0100.