Food Review: Astons Champagne & Wine Bar

The restaurant has had a major refit and now sports an Art Deco feel. Sitting with a cocktail in hand, gazing out across the water of South Quay it's not too much of a leap of the imagination to feel you are aboard an ocean liner in the 1920s.

The ambience is one thing but the food deserves serious consideration as well. Owner Cheryl Tunmer explained the idea behind the menu.

She said: "It's a bistro/brasserie style menu and there is something to appeal to everyone on it. We decided to keep it simple and by concentrating on that we hope we are able to do things well.

"We've put a lot of effort into selecting our food and we've made sure the quality is high, with the meat having the best provenance."

Carnivores are very well served with the menu. Ribeye steak (£11.95), lamb chops (£10.50) and chilli con carne (£7.95) will always appeal, but for a real blow out try the mixed grill (£13.50).

This meat feast features lamb's liver, lamb cutlet, rump steak, gammon steak and a pork sausage, all cooked to perfection. Guaranteed to hit the spot.

Of course, a mixed grill is not everyone's cup of meat - to quote Bob Dylan - and for a lighter alternative why not sample Aston's amazing fishcakes (£7.75).

The two whale-sized patties coated in crisp breadcrumb are packed with fishy flavour. Unlike a lot of restaurants they are not padded out with potato, and if your appetite is small you'll struggle to finish.

If you still have room desserts (£4.95) include white chocolate pannetone bread and butter pudding and French apple tart or you could just settle for an good cup of coffee.

The Cabernet Franc (£17.95) is a good wine to try if you are partial to a bit of red to wash down some steak. But if beer is your thing there is a good selection of draught beers available. And, as this is a champagne bar, a drop of bubbly would not go amiss starting at £35 a bottle.

Cocktails are another speciality. Starting at £8 a menage a trois or absolut passion might help ease those work worries, or you could move up to the Absolute Astons (£8.50), a headspinning concoction of Absolut vodka, cointreau, blue curacao, fresh lemon juice and champagne - guaranteed to get any party off with a swing.

With summer on the way Aston's has just this week launched its barbecue menu, with classic burgers (£5.45) , piri piri wings (£4.25) or half rack of bbq ribs ((£5.25) among the items on offer.

"We've got lots of space, a fantastic view and a great atmosphere," said Cheryl. "I think we're going to get a wonderful summer so what better way to celebrate it than by eating al fresco?"

With convivial surroundings, attentive service, great drinks and, above all, good food, Astons is definitely a destination worth seeking out.

Astons Champagne & Wine Bar
187 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SH

Tel: 020 7537 3903

www.astons-bar.com