The Wapping Project

Here now...setting fabulous let down by apathetic (is it meant to be "hip"?) service. Passing waitress looks at me blankly once arrived in coat, waiting. Familiar with this "hip" approach reciprocate blank disinterest until she wearily asks if I want lunch. Then consults with colleague who - wearily - explains she will check with the chef as to whether possible. It's half-full, I'm dining alone and it's 3.15pm with a 4pm stop serving listed...I am thrilled to be informed they will accept my custom... Menus are given, good strong options for wine and food. I choose red and lamb. Another waitress arrives to take my order but then my lamb vetoed as off - always nice to know before choosing but hey ho. I swap to duck and the Willowglen Shiraz. Both good. Bread and oil brought with wine. As duck arrives I ask for salt (to go with last of bread), she goes, forgets and is reminded with a stare. I realise a whole bottle too ambitious toute seul so ask for the cap which is sourced and provided for take home. Bill comes to £46.58 inc service charge of 12.5%...£5.18 feels somewhat pricey for a paucity of welcome. I believe it costs much less to sell than to buy. I'll be back, with friends and optimism...

Overall, pretty disappointing. An impressive space offering a barely passable brunch and disinterested service.

I went for my birthday on a weeknight. My expectations were not astronomical because the reviews seem quite polarized. I was pleasantly surprised at the service, particularly since many mentioned this was a weakness-- although I could see how the whole thing could fall apart when they get busy. The restaurant was a little less than half full when we were arrived, so there wasn't too much pressure on the staff.

I ordered the halibut and my friend had the mackeral. We thought that both were well prepared and delicious. It seems that the food is nice, but not "special"-- as long at you know what to expect, you won't be disappointed.

The real reason to go is the space, which is just stunning, especially at night. It reminds me of something you would find in the meatpacking district in NYC.

I thought the prices were quite reasonable, with the bill coming right in at £100 including service for two people-- we each had sides as starters, plus the pricest entrees on the menu for each of us, plus two glasses of wine each, and a dessert to share.

In summary, I would definitely return, but not sure I would brave the holiday season or a Saturday night there. There was something quite nice about going on a weeknight.

Update:

I love this place, but am really disappointed with how they managed the holiday season. No mention of opening times on their website, noone picks up the phone, no answering machine, no sign or information on the building itself.

And it's not like the place would be so centrally located you could just drop in on your way home?!

Not very professional, really.

Old review:

Just when I was thinking to myself: where do the inhabitants of all these riverfront warehouse conversions go for coffee on the weekend, I stumbled across this place.

The building is just amazing.

The espresso (illy) was perfect.

The service... let's just say four stars.

The whole thing was upmarket yet relaxed and child friendly.

Worth a visit for sure.

What an extraordinary place! The restaurant is fabulous, but it seems like there could be done so much more (exhibitions, alternative events and so on, taking up the whole space..) The only bad thing is having to cab the way there and back.

Such an unusual venue with fabulous food and exhibition hall.
Small menu with very fresh ingredients and modern compilations.
Shame Sunday brunch finishes so early (1230) but lunch was excellent.
And you can always have a drink at the Prospect of Whitby which is opposite.
Look at the photos in my profile.

Wapping Food has the Xfactor in spades. Ingrid, Peter and I went just before Christmas and it’s absolutely magical. It’s in a refurbished power station across the road from the Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping - modern art covers the towering walls and courtyard; banks of candles gutter on the old power station machinery. A really full-on event space, with bags of character and charisma. But the food is wonderful too - quite simple things superlatively cooked. I had a chunky, intensely fishy potted mackerel to start and a barbecued pork chop for my main course - perfectly, juicily piggy, yet subtly enhanced with smoky barbecue flavours. The custard for my wonderful apple and plum crumble was just to die for. Some criticize the service at this place, especially the owner’s allegedly uncertain temper, but we had excellent, friendly and helpful service and the owner herself graciously put us back into our coats and gave us directions to the docklands light railway. So no complaints from me there.

Whoever selected the music has exactly the same taste as me; however, I have to say it was slightly too loud. But Ingrid and Peter didn’t complain.

I very much look forward to my next visit to this place.

I love good coffee, free wifi, and disused industrial artsy buildings. Safe to say I loved the Wapping Project.

After my coffee I explored the exhibition space to find some interesting photography and a piece involving tiles, leaves and dear heads. Fantastic.

Worth the trip.

If you like quirky places to eat then try Wapping Food. It’s an old power station and instead of removing all the machinery they just put the tables in the spaces inbetween. In the evening there are candles all over the old machines and the enormous room feels cosy. Food is wonderful. I had duck pie - a crisp pastry hummock stuffed to bursting with tender and juicy duck meat. In the summer they show films on a big screen in the garden, and you can eat from the restaurant or from the barbecue (cheaper) while you loll back on cushions, and if it gets chilly you can snuggle under the blankets they provide. A fun place with super food, and there is lots of parking space if you’re brave enough to drive

A great find, run by two passionate Aussies. Passionate about food and art, that is. The Wapping project is a pretty decent restaurant, with tables scattered around the old bits of machinery left over from Wapping power station, and an art space at the rear. Having a meal, and them wandering, glass in hand, into a quiet gallery with huge canvases, is a magical experience. The food is fine, thouhg not fantastic, but it is the combination of the setting and the art that makes this place unique.

I have been here a couple of times to exhibitions and it is an impressive place to visit, with the guts of the old industrial building still intact. As for the eating experience goes, it is a different kettle of fish. I came to eat on a Saturday with a friend and the service was slow, with barely 3 or 4 tables to serve, the waiting staff had some difficulty getting the food out once the chef had rung his bell. You could even see him trying to eyeball the waitress who seemed busier levelling an empty table with a folded napkin, to bother getting food out when it was ready to the few customers. The food was nicely presented, but lacked any real real flavour, and was (for the price) just not outstanding enough. Wine was nice though. Customers had trouble getting the attention of the staff on a number of occasions. Maybe the staff front of house have changed, but it would take quite a lot to get me to come back to this place to eat. Will still come to exhibitions here.

Set in an old power station, the Wapping Project is such an amazing space. When I was there I talked to the owner who is more focused on using it as an art space, however most people come (as I did) for the restaurant which is very good. Light, modern cooking and a great Australian centred wine list. Although it can be a little bit hairy getting out to the Wapping Project from the tube at night, next time I might catch a cab.

This is one of my favourite place is London. It is a exhibition/ performance space together with a great restaurant/ bar. It was converted into this art venue from an old power station. It is a gem in London; a rare find! There are constantly interesting exhibitions and performances.
This refurbished gallery space maintains lots of its past including the old machinery and equipments. Very usual yet charming and successful! I usually wonder off to the Wapping Project and have an afternoon drink in the restaurant after visiting the exhibition. On a sunny summer day… nothing can be greater that having breakfast on the alfresco seating outside the building.