Buried within the hectic renovation of Paddington you’ll find a new, trendy haunt offering this corner of London an impressive selection of beers and pizzas.
It is apparent that this is the new ‘it’ place for long lunches and after work drinks, the perfect wind-down. Whilst the décor seems very Shoreditch – think exposed brick, mismatched furniture and exposed pipes – it makes a refreshing addition to Paddington.
What’s better? The abundance of space (no need to shimmy between tables here) and the large windows which means tonnes of light. Whilst dimly lit restaurants can create a nice ambiance, sometimes you want to be able to see what you’re eating.
When ordering from the menu, it’s best to start as you mean to go on: discovering new flavours and combinations. The cheese curd and olive doughnuts (£4.50) will set you off on the right track and are well worth some attention. Crisp on the outside with a soft, molten centre to leave you reeling.
You won’t find your ordinary pizzas here, these wood-fired pizzas come with elaborate and edgy, seasonal toppings. Try the Tamworth smoked sausage, potato, sage & chilli pizza (£11), it packs a punch and certainly fills a hole. The Cauliflower, Jerusalem artichoke & Cashel blue cheese (£10) is a worthy vegetarian option.
Strangely enough, one of the more memorable dishes was the side of garlic fries (£4.50). Sheathed in garlic and salt they’re so addictive you’ll want more despite being fit to burst.
Drinks wise you’re spoilt for choice. With 12 different beers and ales available at any one time, two of which are always ‘guest brews’. They also have beers by the bottle, a satisfying wine list, a strong selection of cocktails and a section of their drinks menu dedicated to G&Ts alone – heaven.
It’s trendy and lively with a random mix of customers, but most of all, it’s fun. Your eyes will be trying to take everything in, from the people, the food, the drinks and no doubt you’ll want to get a look at the games room (it has a pool table and a Nintendo 64).
You’d think for one restaurant/ bar it was trying to do too much, and yet it works – effortlessly.
The Details:
Heist Bank, 5 North Wharf, Paddington, London, W2 1LA
Tel: +44 (0)207 723 8080
Website: www.heistbank.com
Email: hello@heistbank.com
The bar is located near the canal and Paddington Mainline Train Station and is open Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 11:30pm; Friday from 8:00am to midnight; Saturday from midday to midnight and Sunday from midday to 10:30pm.
Type of Bar: Bar and Restaurant
Insider Tip:
Head outside in the summer for people watching, head downstairs to the games room for the more competitive amongst you.
Price Band: Medium
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Kelly Greene is a freelance travel writer based in East London, writing for Good Housekeeping and presenting for East London Radio
Photographs courtesy of Heist Bank
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