Restaurant focus: Quadrato at The Four Seasons

Food and beverage director David Monson said: "We want to be the place in Canary Wharf where you can go in for a simple salad, efficiently delivered with great service and atmosphere and, of course, a price that will encourage you to return.

"The menu is lighter and most of the ingredients are sourced more locally, with fish from Billingsgate and vegetables and herbs from Kent."

Executive chef Marco Bax has overseen the changes to the menu, striving to maintain quality while driving prices down. Restaurant manager Baris Kundak explained the thinking behind the new menu.

He said: "The demand for simple, nutritious food has grown. We are selling more salads than ever before so there has been a massive change in people's diets.

"Being in Canary Wharf there is also a need for people to be able to come in and have their lunch quickly and that's what our new menu aims to give them.

"It's possible to come in and have your lunch in 25 minutes if you wish, that's the standard we aim for, all served in the traditional Four Seasons style but at affordable prices."

Whether it's soup, salad and a sandwich (from £12 for a three dish combination) or a light lunch like risotto mantecato (£12) there should be something to suit all tastes.

If you have a little more time it is worth eating a la carte. Starters include cobb salad (£7), nicoise salad (£9) or, for the more adventurous spiny lobster salad with heart of palm and orange (£12) (pictured).

Mains include slow roasted breast of free range chicken (£14) and English forerib of beef with all the trimmings (£17) but the most obvious temptation this summer is the fresh catch fish selection. If you find it hard to choose between seabass (£18) or tuna (£19) why not try the mixed grill where you can sample six or seven different types of fish for just £21.

A set menu is also available, with dishes changed every week. For £19 for two courses or £22 for three it represents good value. Last week, diners could sample dishes like salmon tartare with celery, fennel and grapefruit for starter, pan-seared cod fillet in a mediterranean crust for mains with a dessert of caramel panacotta with cocoa nibs and carrot sorbet.

The restaurant now offers wine by the glass (from £6 for a viognier or malbec) for people who need to stay sober for an afternoon in the office, while it's also tempting to enjoy a pitcher of Pimms on the secluded terrace during these hot summer days.

If lunch is too late in the day for you, there is also an extensive breakfast menu available. Baris revealed Quadrato is becoming the place for breakfast briefings for the movers and shakers of Canary Wharf, with the full English breakfast (£25) proving particularly popular with the early risers.

Quadrato launched its Al Fresco Barbecue last week, taking place every Thursday between 6-9pm, offering a three course meal for £25 (Under 12s - £15). A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to Richard House Hospice.

Quadrato Restaurant
Four Seasons Hotel
Westferry Circus
Canary Wharf
London E14 8RS

020 7510 1857

fourseasons.com