Clocking off

Taken from CODE Bulletin Monday 22 November

I think the last time I was in Canary Wharf must have been back in 2018, writes Adam Hyman. 

Pandemic aside, it’s not often I venture to this part of London. It has a knack of reminding me of being in a city like Hong Kong or Singapore with all its shiny office blocks, manicured walkways, and worker bees shuffling about their day.

Even though we continue to hear about how some businesses are still not back in the office, and chunks of the workforce are stubbornly staying put at home (ironically a hot topic for around the water cooler in the office), the Wharf was bustling on Thursday evening as I made my way to the opening of the newest Hawksmoor. 

A few glasses of Champagne and a couple of mini lobster rolls later, I jumped on the DLR back to the City. It was about 9.30pm. I went to find a quick dinner, but it took about four tries to find a restaurant still serving food. 

I’m aware of the operational issues that are forcing kitchens to close earlier – staff shortages continue to wreak havoc across our industry, for example – but it felt very early to be turned away from a restaurant.

Friends from cities like New York and Seoul often commented, even before Covid times, how hard it was to find a decent Martini and steak tartare in London after 10pm. Let’s hope things return to normal again before their next visit to London, and our capital shifts up a gear in future.

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