Via Fossa

Forced here on a work related event I tried to make the best of it. The inactive ale taps were being used to hang a sign advertising Kozel, which is actually more drinkable than most regular lagers, so I decided to go for that. They fast ran out of that so an improvising colleague getting the round in nervously presented me with a pint of Stella. To finish a bad evening for my taste buds I had a bottle of Bud.
What did I learn. Well Via sucks… and Bud Is better than Stella. Hardly a grand achievement mind.

Met up with a friend for some low key drinks and food after work. The place is actually styled like a pub so I’m not sure why it’s called Via.
Food was non-​descript. Wine was decent. Not a destination spot by any means but will do given that any other place in Canary Wharf would be equally as uninspired.

Back when I worked in C.Wharf. (It sounds well gangster when I say that, but I assure you, their bling is understated and expensive and not that gangster.) We popped in here after work for a leaving do.
It’s on the docks, by the water so in the summer, it would be SO lovely. But it wasn’t summer and walking over a windy bridge is pretty freezing.
Wait time for your drinks are ridiculous and the bar staff don’t care. My colleague’s beer took longer than my cocktail because they had to change the keg but then forgot about it… and when we asked they weren’t even apologetic! I mean, a smile and a sorry? Not even?

I love this whole area of West India Quay, a 10 minute tube journey and I will find myself around here working with a cold drink and some snacks.
I am giving four stars for the service and the drinks selection, and generally the niceness of the area and outside patio area. I only ever ordered Calamari from here and it was super chewy. The inside is pretty spacious with some games and pool tables, and a decent place to watch sports if standing is your thing.
Wins on the outside patio for sure, and being that this summer has been the best for a long time I am still here often enough.

I had previously been to this restaurant — I think it was last Summer — and sat outside and received a meh kind of service /​experience and if my review was based on then, I’d have only awarded 3 stars. However fast forward a year and I returned on Sunday night after the movies and willing to give it another go especially as Brown’s next door is now dreadful!
From the moment we walked in, we received excellent service — really friendly and attentive — from two waitresses — the food was tasty (my friend and I both enjoyed the Falafel and Spinach burger with Tzatiki dip, served with chips) and at standard London prices.
I asked if I could use my Tastecard as I wasn’t sure due to it being the Jubilee Weekend and as they may have had some strange rules in place and the waitress said she wasn’t sure due to regulations on the Taste website with booking procedures and would check with the manager. She then returned and said yes of course, that was fine and I could use the card, so the price was something ridiculous like £10 between us!
Would return!

I was going to give this restaurant 4 stars but they actually went down a notch when they decided to be inconsistent with their lunch specials. Their lunch special was 50% off of all food during lunchtime but I guess this special doesn’t apply when the sun is shining and everyone decides to eat there.
The food is good and the drinks are standard. However, being served at the bar during lunchtime is EXTREMELY slow and it’s not uncommon to be standing at the bar waiting to be served for at least 15 minutes while your food at the table is getting cold.
However, this place is pretty nice when the service is fast and the food is still 50% off. But with the service during busy times and the food at full price, I’d rather go somewhere else where the food is cheaper and faster (i.e. some high street chain restaurants across the street at the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre).

The food was very tasty and reasonably priced, especially when you consider the setting. There are tables and umbrellas outside overlooking the water and lots of seating indoors for those of us who prefer not to dine al fresco. We were able to sit in a nice room in the back where we could talk quietly and for a time were the only people in there. despite this the waitress came to check on us regularly and was by far the most proficient, friendly and helpful server we have encountered anywhere in a long time. A good place for a drink and/​or bar food!

For a bar in the wharf Via does in a pinch.
They’ve got two billiards tables in a back room, which is reservable for parties. Lunch specials are reasonable price for reasonable quality. Unfortunately no real ale on cask, but I don’t have to drink ale all the time.
If you stay around late enough on busier nights the girl with tequila bottle holsters and shot glass bandoliers will make her rounds, and that usually means bad news for Miguel and friends. :(

A nice bar/​restaurant/​hanging out place.
good use of space and even better use of the outside complete with it’s own bar! I wouldn’t mind a barbeque like it’s counterparts on the West India Quay for the summer but beggars can’t be choosers!
Great bar, great selection of drinks. Staff can be a bit slow but still do their job well enough and the pricing is similar to that across the whole of the Wharf.
Not a bad place but has a great buzz during the busy periods!