Caravan Canary Wharf – Review

Caravan got a name for itself for delighting visitors to its Exmouth Market branch with incredible brunches. News travelled fast and its success has lead to restaurants popping up all over London. The latest location to land is Canary Wharf and being the closest branch to home, we excitedly scurried there to try out some of the global flavours Caravan is renowned for.

The combination of breeze blocks, concrete pillars, terazzo, wooden high-chairs, baskets, natural tones and indoor plants, gives Caravan an industrial modern-med vibe. It somehow manages to be both paired back yet high-end and most certainly makes you feel relaxed. Being sunny on one of the last remaining days of summer, we decided to move our dining onto the outdoor terrace.

Caravan’s menu is like a food-tour of the globe. Tantalising small plates such as Steamed Cod Dumplings, Garam Masala Labneh and Jalapeno Corn Bread, sit comfortably next to each other, almost as a homage to the melting pot of cultures that is London. The grains and bowls make you feel healthy just reading the menu, almost as much as the sourdough pizzas, pork schnitzels and sea bass make you feel hungry.

We began in the far east, with the cod dumplings and, pork and Chinese chive pot stickers (also dumplings). The Pork option was as sweet and sticky as we’d hoped, and had a generous fiery punch from the Sichuan chilli oil. The cod dumplings, however, were the show stopper. Think of an ocean volcano with fresh sea flavours, erupting with a sambal lava and crunchy shallot boulders.

The starters were so good, we stuck with an eastern palate. The Pan fried sea bass, swimming in a pond of velvety coconut red curry, had a wonderfully light and crispy skin, another win. Our world tour brought us somewhere that would serve Roasted chicken breast, maple-paprika and bacon creamed corn, possibly American? Who cares, it was delicious. Little flakes of crispy sage added a wonderfully savoury crunch and looked pretty damn good too.

The almond frangipane tart was a welcomed light but deeply flavoured finale.

Next time you can’t decide where to eat and someone says “what type of food do you fancy?”, reply with “I fancy delicious food” and go to Caravan, it won’t disappoint.

Address Unit 2, Reuters Plaza London, E14 5AJ Book online at: www.caravanrestaurants.co.uk/canary-wharf

Written by Rick Hartley

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