All aboard for some tapas on The Thames!

It may well be 'the party boat rocking The Thames,' but my recent trip to Bar&Co was less to sample the nightlife and all about checking out their tapas menu.
Moored at Temple Pier, and running as a fully licensed bar, restaurant and nightclub, the venue really does appear as though it can cater for any kind of party.

Only five minutes from Holborn and right outside Temple Station in this unique location with views to the London Eye, Big Ben and Oxo Tower, after a couple of beers to whet my appetite beforehand, I was ready to experience some fine Spanish cuisine.


Idyllic setting makes Bar&Co a great choice for a meal or a party on the Thames

And I was not disappointed. My partner and I shared five tapas from the varied menu, and choose to accompany it with a bottle of the house red (I can never remember whether it's beer BEFORE or AFTER wine leaves you feeling fine).

For a Sunday night it was, perhaps as expected, very quiet. However, this is all the more reason if you are there for some great food and not a party night, to take advantage of the quieter nights. Service was attentive and efficient, prices were reasonable, and the setting was unique and relaxing.


The tasty croquetas de setas

The croquetas de setas (Mushroom croquettes) were sizeable for two, and came with a fresh and juicy salad, a perfect mix. The texture of the potato was smooth, and the mushroom flavour added to it perfectly.

The chorizo a la sidre (chorizos cooked in a cider sauce) was my first choice from the menu (and it wasn't just to add another alcohol source to my evening). It was just what I hope for - juicy sausage with sweet sauce that didn't last long in the dish! One of my pet hates about chorizo is a piece that has more fat than meat; safe to say this pet hate was left on the dock!

If chorizo was my first choice, then the albondigas en salsa (meatballs in tomato sauce) ran them close. This was reflected in the tasting - big, juicy balls bursting with enthusiasm and delight. Creamed in a tasty and slightly spicy tomato sauce, they went down a treat.

By the this point, the wine had already run low, but we decided not to drown our paletes in red and try and save our tastebuds for the rest of our tapas buffet.

The patatas fritas a la brava (fried potato in a tomato sauce) may seem like a standard choice, but we were deligted, not least with the size of the dish, as well as the crispyness of the little beauties.

The meatballs are served with a generous helping of sauce

Our final dish was the plato de jamon serrano (Spanish ham platter) that came recommended. It was a nice, cold alternative and afforded a little breathing space compared to the filling other dishes.

Prices on the tapas menu range from £2 to £10 (bread is £1.50), and I would advise you to take advantage of the knowledge of your waiter/waitress who can help make your decision as easy as possible.

The lighting is superbly suited for either an intimate meal with a partner, or a calm and relaxed evening with friends. The gentle bobbing of the boat is evident as you look towards the portholes, yet when seated it is barely noticeable. All in all we had no complaints on leaving Bar&Co, and complemented the servers as well as the chef on our exit. 

The stroll back along Temple pier, suitably filled up on scrumptious Spanish fare, was a perfect way to end the evening.
I am now looking forward to my invite to investigate the party element of Bar&Co!!

The view across the Thames is dazzling

Bar&Co



















Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting - 9
Service - 8
Quality of food - 8
Cleanliness - 8

Total - 33/40


Click here for more information on Bar&Co and to book your meal or night out there.

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