The Narrow by Gordon Ramsay

Good food and wonderful setting on the Thames. Service was excellent.

I went to an early dinner last night- reception staff were very attentive and it was no problem when we decided to not sit down directly but to have a drink on the terrace first. The waitress could not have been more helpful – chatty – but only in a good way – an asset to the restaurant We both had fish – which was cooked perfectly and had a bottle of wine from Kent – which was a real find to have on their list – went perfectly with the fish - As I work in Canary Wharf surprised I have not been before – but now on my list – try lunch next time!

We booked this restaurant for our wedding anniversary, requesting, if possible, a riverside table. I wasn't holding out much hope knowing how busy this gastropub can get, but we weren't disappointed. Upon arrival, the lovely lady on reception instantly said ‘happy anniversary’ and asked how many years it was, to which I replied ‘7’. She kindly told me that was impossible as I look about 25… I'd say this was a great start to the evening. After swiftly moving us into a gorgeous table right next to the window (fantastic view with a huge rainbow for added impact), she offered us 2 amazing wine, elderflower and gin cocktails. The evening went from strength to strength with a charming waiter, fantastic food (chicken and smoked ham terrine for me (perfect texture with fresh bread)/ scallops for him (soft, melt in the mouth type)/ fish and chips for me (no grease in sight) / steak for him (cooked exactly as requested) / shared gooseberry fool for us (ridiculous – I'm salivating just thinking of it!), all washed down with some Chapel Down English wine no less. At the end of the evening, unprompted, we were brought a slate with ‘Happy Anniversary’ written in some kind of fruit coulis served with fresh vanilla ice cream. To sum up, the friendliness, attention to detail and feeling of being valued as individual customers was really refreshing.. and the rainbow over the Thames was the cherry on the perfect vanilla ice cream.

I am beginning to become wary of the term ‘gastropub’ as it is becoming associated with overblown, overpriced and a generally awful experience. My visit to the Narrow has only added to this impression of the gastropub as a waste of time. A bangers and mash with mustard mash was fine other than the fact the mash was so flavoured with mustard that I couldn't taste anything else! The sausages were great – but then I imagine the chef didn't make those! My girlfriend, as a vegetarian had a very limited choice (actually no choice at all!) of a dish of puy lentils and cabbage. When served it transpired that this (tiny) dish was actually more akin to a thick soup…and a flavourless one at that. All in all a very disappointing experience. Gordo clearly doesn't pop in here too often to sample the nosh otherwise I suspect it might be a bit better – unless of course we were just happened to be there on the day the work experience placement was running the kitchen.

Truly awful. Staff are rude, unhelpful and cannot be bothered. I have had better service in US-owned fast food outlets! Food can best be described as tepid, cheap and nasty. I used to love the place and went back there as often as possible, sadly over the last 2-3 years it has gone downhill. I gave it not one but two extra chances – a real waste of time and money!

View is great, food is boring and the service is a disaster. Drinks are overpriced and there are better pubs on the river less than 5 mins aways. Overhyped and over it.