Review: Dockmaster's House barbecue

Once the sun fully emerges, it feels like a waste to enjoy meat and vegetables in darkened, air-conditioned structures. We want to flee walls, floors and ceilings, drag our pits of burning of gas or charcoal into the garden, and cook our food the way campers and explorers do.

Alternatively, if we're still working late, we could always encourage a few co-workers to make the trip to Dockmaster's House in West India Quay.

The newly-reopened fine dining establishment is already packing its diary with bookings for its summer barbecue, which is cooked in the restaurant's secluded garden in Hertsmere Road on Thursdays and Fridays.

Big companies such as HSBC, Credit Suisse and Barclays are falling in love with the idea of spending the evenings around a grill, and Dockmaster's House is also available for birthday parties and weddings.

Events, marketing and sales manager Mishalle Deepchand said: "We started up the barbecue about two or three weeks ago and people are now starting to put in big party bookings. They love the concept.

"We've got bookings from now up until August.

"Thursdays are going very quickly and Fridays are starting to pick up as well. We can do Saturdays for big parties and weddings.

"We're closed on Sundays, but we've made exceptions for certain parties. If it's the right number of people, we'll do it."

On Thursday and Friday, a £10 standard price gets you barbecue chicken, a lamb chop, lamb kebab, bread and salad. Bespoke menus and packages are also available, allowing hungry Wharfers to get their teeth into wonders such as stir fries cooked on the barbecue and Indian paneer cheese.

Chef Navin Bhatia balances glorious traditional Indian recipes with an approach that will win over the health-conscious food lover.

The restaurant is equally at home serving Indian barbecues, canapes or buffets. And there's a wonderful array of beers, spirits and cocktails available, such as the original Tantric Tong Twister (£7), a blend of Havana Club Anejo Especial rum laced with Grand Marnier, honey, pineapple juice and muddled chilli peppers.

If you've enjoyed a great meal in the fine-dining restaurant elsewhere in the building, but just can't resist chasing the fleeting rays of the sun, this meal is an ideal compromise.

Mishalle said: "We can hold up to 350 people here, in the outdoor space and the cellar bar.

"We're doing barbecue for a wedding here soon, and we're really excited about that one."

Dockmaster's House,
1 Hertsmere Road,
E14 8JJ
020 7345 0345

Sales and marketing manager Mishalle Deepchand can be reached on 020 7531 0790 or via mishalle@dockmastershouse.com