Big Easy - Canary Wharf, The Rum Lounge

Absolutely amazing experience tonight. The atmosphere was warm, friendly and welcoming, and the food was delicious from start to finish. The manager (I believe his name was Luca?) was incredibly kind, attentive and thoughtful throughout the evening. He truly went above and beyond and made the whole experience feel special. The seating was comfortable, the staff were lovely, and overall the hospitality was exceptional. Thank you for such a memorable evening — I’ll definitely be returning.

An odd one really. I tried this place over a decade ago but back then there was t a craze for American BBQ food. This time it’s all over social media so I’ve been wanting to try it for a year now. Menu is complicated, for example the taste of Rama has pulled PORK & PORK ribs. I asked if I could swap out one of the pork for Beef brisket & they could charge me the difference, I was told NO. They serve the lobster roll BUT it comes with Prosecco. We don’t drink so we didn’t get a choice. Espresso was OK. There is no flexibility, what if you don’t drink, what if you don’t eat pork. Don’t they get a choice? Our server was good. She did her job like she was asked. Felt a bit mechanical not much warmth. I will return to try the seafood for sure.

For what we seen on the net and looking at Google reviews, was disappointing experience. Booked a table of 3, we arrived earlier about 15 minutes, we have been told at entrance desk to sit by the bar and wait for a text message. We went out on the terrace instead as bar was quite crowded with noisy people. Nice views, but the new building is taking a fair bit of view... Text message came shortly after 4pm, and we went back to entrance desk to be seated. Been seated by the stand where live music is, opposite Rum bar & lounge. Been given only 2 menus even we have been 3 guests. We had to call the waiter after about 15 / 20 minutes as no one came to ask if we ready to order... We ordered the Pitmaster Bar BQ sandwich and the Bar BQ Blow Out + deep fried calamari. As drinks we had banana colada and the BIg Easy brew ( should have gone for Guinness) . The food arrived fairly quick... The Pitmaster sandwich came as a burger ( in a burger bun, nothing to do with a sandwich apart of the name ) We have been wrongly advised in ordering the Bar BQ Blow Out as we asked twice about the size of the portion ( one would have been enough meat wise, at least for us ) The deep fried calamari was really oily, not edible, we left it on the plate... Was greasy and tasteless... Chicken for the Blow Out dish really cheap taste... Nothing to do with a barbequed chicken... During the meal, staff came once to ask if everything ok... At the end once we have been asked if we finished, table was cleaned and we get the bill without being offered at least the dessert option as usual in such place... We have not been told about the discretionary charge option, this just been added straight to the bill, so check your bill before you pay, as prices are covering the service well. Not need of a charge on top... I have to mention the live music, we caught the last to songs, at least live music was nice. As a note, by the entrance desk there is quite a decent size sign stating that they don't accept cash, but they do accept cash!!! I have to say that seeing the sign we are cashless was disappointing but when been told they do take cash was nice... And we did split bill and paid card and cash. As a conclusion, it wasn't the worst experience we have dining out, but not best as well. It wasn't the wowww experience which we expected, and I don't believe that the rating on Google is reflected fairly. For cocktails & drinks & the views from the terrace it may be worth, but food and service at the table is not there. Go and try yourself, this is purely our opinion and our experience... But there are better places out there...