Crispy Confit Duck Leg
The Library Bar and Grill

The Library Bar and Grill

4a Guildhall Hill Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1JH, United Kingdom

Steak • Mexican • British • Vegetarian


"At six and three quarters, being the oldest person in the room affords a certain air of esteem. One can look down on one’s peers with lofty arrogance informed by world-weary experience. *Tch* and *tut*, my little rugrat friends, what little you know of the world! Kathryn White asked me to sit next to her in assembly yesterday, and I said, like, no way lady! Dude, I’m a P-L-A-Y-A, and ain’t no crazy ho gonna cramp my style – HELL NO!At thirty-three (minus one day), the same does not hold true. First of all, sitting next to Kathryn White does *not* mean I’m going to marry her. Second, propping up the bar at the Mustard Lounge, I fear I may well be old enough to have fathered some of the punters. Third, it’s way past my bedtime.Come the morning, I am not feeling sprightly. By the grace of God, however, I’m not hungover, as such, and can at least mooch into town without too much ado.I’ve been meaning to eat at The Library for a while, but have never managed to arrive in time for lunch. Today, however, I can sit there, warm and fuzzy with smugness, if a little woozy from sleep deprivation and the really high ceiling.The fish options look good, but for reasons self-evident to anyone but vegetarians and teetotallers, the curative properties of the lah-di-dah fry-up seem more appropriate. We both order the hand-cut chips, thick-cut bacon and fried egg: it is triumphant, standing us in good stead for another night of acting half our age.The combination of book-lined shelves and purple décor make the place an ideal location for nerdy goths. Nerdy nerds, however, will despair at the filing of said books, which have been lined up with wanton disregard for any established classification system, happily marrying Bruce Lee with crochet and motor racing with Middlemarch.Such irregularity was echoed in the friendly, if erratic service, and the disappointing dessert. The espresso mousse was relatively feeble, with texture like bread in a swimming pool and a flavour more in line with Revels than tiramisu; frankly, I was more excited by my subsequent trip to the toilet.This not to damn the dish unfairly, however, as The Library’s exquisite toilets are perfect for restroom aficionados, and are surely shortlisted among the finest in Norwich."

Plateau

Plateau

4th Flr, Canada Place Canary Wharf London, E14 5ER, United Kingdom

Bars • French • British • Burgers


"Worst things first: I think the service could have been a bit better as the waiters weren't so attentive. It was quite difficult to get their attention. Also I asked for lukewarm water as my wife was ill and we were still served chilled water. I asked for the bill to come with the card reader as we were in a rush and the bill still came alone and we had to ask for the card reader again. Other than this the ambience is really really nice. You get a nice view of Canary wharf and although the pillars block the view a bit, I guess those are required to hold the building up haha so it is what it is. Really nice view which every table can appreciate, beautiful interior design my wife referred to it as having a homely feel. I would definitely come back during the day as Im sure it would like marvellous with the sun coming through the full length windows how much better at sunset!! The food was exquisite too. I had eaten beforehand so didn't eat much: just squid rings and the bread selections. Its small but it goes a long way when restaurants heat up the butter so its soft and spreadable on nice warm and soft bread. The squid rings were good too, not too rubbery like many are these days. My wife had a bit more: the cod on mash with caviar (or just roe, not sure) and fries. The fries were so so nice, perfectly salted and fried. The cod and mash was DIVINEEE. Every bite that I stole from her was eye shut inducing. Perfectly cooked cod that tasted like it came from the sea that very morning, one of the creamiest mashed potatoes I've had in a while and then the caviar/roe to add a certain texture to the after taste. Superb. Excellent restaurant, would definitely recommend and not too bad a price as well considering the high class interior and prime location in Canary Wharf."