Cantina del Ponte Review

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Best for: Spectacular Thames views; al fresco dining.

Great: Wine selection; service; two-course promotion.

Once a beheaded traitor, now I’m nothing more than an inconsequential hovering entity, marveling at how much has changed. No longer the commercial centre of the city, a thriving place of trade, my beloved Thames is now nothing more than a tourist attraction for the pompously dressed.

In front of me, a blonde girl, lazily perusing a well-proportioned menu with dishes from the far off lands of Italy. Fish-lovers, vegetarians and meat-eaters are all equally catered for. Decadently sampling different wines by the glass, the blonde and her companion finally settle on an Antipasto Misso All' Italiana to share.

In days of yore, I would never have comprehended what this alien-sounding dish was, but having done my nightly rounds for centuries now, I know it boils down to nothing more than a selection of three types of cured meats and vegetable (tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, celery, gherkin, pickled onion) with focaccia bread and Italian cheese, “presented attractively” on a wooden board. Not quite content enough, these rotund ladies almost immediately order an additional bread basket with onion topped slices and some very odd-looking edible paper, similar to one of those Indian poppadom things I've come across before further along my patch.

While they chomp away, I drift inside, seeing little point in bothering to open the door. I'm long past tourist tricks. Wine bottles line the shelves of the restaurant's back wall. I wish I could hold down liquids. On the way to the toilets is a visible caged wine store and as I can't treat myself, I decide to at least take a peek in the ladies toilets. They're empty. Unfulfilled, I glide back past the blackboard, busily scrawled with mysterious dish names, towards the open kitchen and bar. Momentarily I look up at the giant rustic mural of food being prepared and I'm fondly reminded of the days of simple living. Looking to the heavens in dismay at what has become, I recall the hours of torture I endured as I glance at the low metallic lighting.

Back with the al fresco diners, I'm horrified to catch the blonde being blonde, asking for tomato sauce to go with her enormous 240 gram grilled succulent rib-eye steak. I suppose at least, I know what steak is, without having to listen to customers discussing their food orders.

I'm cheered by the Italians next to her, exchanging semi-disgusted, semi-amused glances with the waiter, before flinging themselves into an animated discussion in their foreign tongue. The ever-accommodating waiting staff return unruffled with an enormous bowl of homemade tomato pasta sauce. That'll teach her for being an awkward $*~@ with unrefined tastes!

The blonde’s friend picks at beautifully presented fresh giant ravioli filled with ricotta and lemon in a light butter thyme sauce. She seems to like it but is aware her dining partner's portion far exceeds her own, and occasionally compensates for this by digging at the olive-oiled spinach and rosemary roast potatoes ordered as sides.

Tonight's a Friday and, as ever, it's busy; half tourists and half locals, living in the area or working at the nearby City Hall; plenty of other lively characters on hand to distract me from the perpetual torment of never being laid to rest. Among these animated folk, a table all curiously donned in matching red fleeces, and a new customer next to the blonde, who seems more interested in watching some kind of entertainment on a magical electronic contraption. Behind them, Canary Wharf blips away as toffed up folk in suits stroll past and now-adult ex-prep school pupils totter along, increasingly lit-up as daylight disappears and the lanterns that line the walkway cleverly illuminate in turn.

Unlike the daylight, the blonde doesn't seem to waver. Disturbingly unfazed, she rapidly consumes a Panna cotta with fresh berries, while her more restrained friend samples a warm cherry tart and hazelnut ice cream.

Curiosity satisfied, I've checked out the latest seasonal menu and found out about future entertainment. Always looking for a new way to pass these endless hours, days, years. I'm already resolved to gatecrash a pasta cooking masterclass and have a nosey in the novelty chalet snow bar when it appears outside this winter.

Evocative but almost unrecognisably renovated, the docks are not as I remember. These days it's all suits and gold. Ever-keen to avoid looking at that damned imposing bridge where my rotting head once hung, I take to the back alley parallel to the waterfront where the Ripper once walked, feeling more at home on this cobbled path towards the Dungeons where others haunt....read more

Leo Owen 08 Aug 2011

Cantina del Ponte Description

What could be better than the food of Italy with the views of London? The magic of Disneyland perhaps, but not much else. Cantina del Ponte is another successful venture from restaurant gods D&D London, marrying a rustic Italian menu with perfect river views. When then sun dares to shine, opt for a table out front on the Shad Thames to take in impressive views of Tower Bridge, or if the weather is bleak stay inside where the wall mural of an Italian marketplace will fool you into thinking you're in sunny Italy. Relaxed dining is Cantina del Ponte's expertise but the restaurant also hosts regular events such as wine tasting, pasta and bread masterclasses, opera nights and more, all of which are well worth checking out.

Special Offers at Cantina del Ponte

• Set Lunch Menu with a glass of Prosecco, 2 courses for £12.50 and 3 courses for 15.50

Customer Reviews for Cantina del Ponte

Average (based on 3 votes): 3 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Cantina del Ponte.

“Brilliant wine list and knowledgeable waiting staff. Great for eating out in nice weather.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Jason Flume, London (1 years 9 months 15 days ago)

“The food is pretty fabulous but the real reason for coming here is the view. One of the best restaurants on the Thames.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Leigh, Tooting (3 years 3 months 27 days ago)

“What a Disappointment! We went out to this restaurant as a family and had an absolutly terrible time. The pizzas were better than average. However, we found the slow roasted pork dish to be very dull and uninspiring and the steak to be rare (we had specifically asked for medium) and tuff. On top of that, the draft of freezing air from the front door was unbearable. Couldn't they spring for a velvet curtain for the door to take care of their customers, payings these high prices? Despite this, the evening was not ruined until we were made to wait without explanation for some 45 minutes for a dessert. We would have asked for our check and just left, but our server was no where to be seen. We asked to see the manager, who made use wait another 10 minutes... I've never been in such a poorly managed restaurant before. Avoid this place, as it's liable to ruin your evening.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Reginald Tamzarian, New York (5 years 5 months 2 days ago)

Cantina del Ponte Opening Hours

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Italian
• Average Price: £50.00
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: D&D London