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NEW STUFF

Canada Place is enjoying a bit of renaissance lately with optician Bloobloom opening the doors to its minimalist Canary Wharf store. It’s also set to welcome a new branch of Pandora as the jewellery chain expands its operation.

OUR PICKS

If you do nothing else on the Wharf this fortnight, try these

1. Be seen in all the right places and that means a trip to Mallow’s newly opened two-storey restaurant in Wood Wharf for some plant-based food – mallowlondon.com

2. Shoot some hoops on Yinka Illori’s basketball court, reopened at Bank Street Park, 10am-8pm – canarywharf.com

3. Head just a little way o the estate for a pint at The Gun overlooking the Thames – thegundocklands.com

WIN - £100 Of Chicken

Thunderbird Fried Chicken

Wharf Kitchen, Jubilee Place

Until Jul 25, free thunderbirdckn.co.uk

What would you spend £100 gift voucher for Thunderbird Fried Chicken on? Sign up for the brand’s newsletter via the QR or the one on Page 29 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win one to spend in its Canary Wharf store, completely free of charge. A single winner will be chosen randomly on July 26. T&Cs apply

DISCOVER - Object Handling

Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, free museumo ondon.org.uk

These 10.30am and 2pm Wednesday sessions o er visitors the chance to get their hands on genuine Victorian objects that would have been used to celebrate at a party. Find out what people wore, what games they played and what a bottle of Victorian zzy pop looked like. Ages 3+

LADIES CUTS FROM £75 MENS CUTS FROM £50 + AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

by Jon Massey

There’s something a little bit radical about Fish Game that sets it apart from the carefully crafted interiors and presentation of its neighbours. Dishoom has a delicately written founding myth about a rogue banker that informs its entire design. Mallow has earth colours with golden accents.

In contrast, Fish Game is the rock dropped into the serene waters of Wood Wharf. Here there’s a giant artwork of a man apparently eating credit cards with his head wrapped in cling film, tree stumps supporting glass tables, colourful fishing floats and flailing squid hanging from the ceiling and a private dining room decorated with images of Mafia bosses.

The restaurant, which recently opened its doors is the latest creation of Roberto Costa – the man behind Macellaio RC, a chain of six establishments named in honour of the Italian word for butcher plus his initials. These feature butchery as theatre and plenty of Italian produce and dishes as befits a son of Genoa.

Fish Game, however, is different again – a bamboozling, hedonistic sort of a place that nevertheless rests firmly on four pillars –bread, veg, fish and, naturally, game.

To ensure those pillars are well founded, Roberto has turned to head chef Matt Colk – who returns to E14 having previously spent eight years cooking at The Gun (a little further to the east and right on the Thames) before a brief flirtation with Soho and then Fish Game. It’s some distance from his start in hospitality.

“I began cooking when I was 14 in a little chip shop in North Lincolnshire,” he said. “I went on to do graphic design at college but my part-time job in the kitchen was much more fun.

“When I was 18 I came to London and first of all worked at Christopher’s Restaurant And Martini bar in Covent Garden before moving on to Roast in Borough Market.

“Then I worked at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, winning Worshipful Company Of Cooks’ Young Chef Of the Year in 2013 before joining The Gun in 2015.”

The approach at Fish Game, however, strikes a contrast with his previous roles. Having impressed with two dishes he

The food can all come together or separately – that’s how people enjoy eating. They can share and there’s never any rush

Matt Colk, Fish Game served Roberto during a cook-off, he got the job and then discovered things in his new restaurant would be quite different.

“Roberto wants everything rustic, a bit more rock ‘n’ roll –everything natural,” said Matt. “He wants to change people’s idea of what food is – to try all the good bits that people normally get rid of.

“In the beginning it took time because I was making dishes the way I used to, but Roberto didn’t care for recipes or classics. Everything had to be different.

“That took a bit of time to get used to but I sought inspiration and had a few ideas.

“We’ve broken the menu down into four sections with bread, veg, seafood and meat. If you need advice the waiter or storyteller will come and advise you what to have.

“It can all come together or separately – that’s how people enjoy eating. They can share and there’s never any rush. Diners can have small plates or big plates, whatever they want, and then order more if they are still hungry.

“It’s simple food cooked well. Roberto loves the diversity of England’s produce and wants to showcase that.”

Early signs seem to indicate that’s something customers are eager to experience. While only open a short time, bookings have been strong with Matt and his team of chefs working furiously to satisfy full services.

The menu is certainly a singular creation with ingredients cooked primarily on the ash and charcoal of Fish Game’s bank of grills.

“We’re in the middle of four really good restaurants here, but I love that this isn’t a chain,” said Matt. “The feedback has been really good so far and people are getting used to the food.

“There are dishes on the menu that have taken two months to

Cost of Matt’s ox heart dish at Fish Game that spends 12 hours marinating in olive oil, garlic and chilli and comes with a carrot salad create, but the one everyone loves is something that took me five seconds to whip up.

“Roberto turned to me and said he wanted a squid dish on the menu – I asked when, and he said: ‘Now’. So I looked in the fridge, found a few ingredients and made the one that’s on there now.

“It’s charcoaled squid served with fermented chilli and fried cavolo nero – it just works. There’s a little bit of sugar and salt in there against that chilli sauce.”

Chilli is a big ingredient for Fish Game. In fact the restaurant is certainly the only place in Canary Wharf that boasts a tasting menu dedicated to the plant’s spicy fruit.

This offers diners the opportunity to taste peppers from Italian farm Vivi Piccante ranging in heat from a prickly 100,000 to 2.3million units on the Scoville Scale. For contrast, a supermarket Jalapeno is around 2,500 units.

While Matt isn’t afraid of some spice, his dishes are designed to delight rather than melt guests, often focusing on less frequently used ingredients.

“I’m proud of the ox heart, which is marinated for 12 hours in garlic and chilli plus olive oil, that we source from near Roberto’s home in Italy,” said Matt. “Then it’s seared on the charcoal and served with a crunchy carrot salad, with red onion, salt, pepper and lemon juice.”

Other offerings include a gamey take on an Italian classic in hare arancini, a dish of smoked duck breast and duck leg, a venison tartare with bone marrow and rump of mutton with fresh mint and mustard. Game dishes range from £6.50 to £52 for a beef ribeye off the bone with bone marrow.

On the aquatic side, there are oysters (£6 for two), langoustines with samphire, mussels with venison nduja and monkfish with rosemary, lime and sea salt. Dishes range in price from £6 to £50 for a butterfly sea bream served with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and basil.

“If I was ordering, I’d start with the Tigella bread from Rome (£9), which is served with rabbit and offal cooked over ash and finished with parsley, fresh garlic and lemon juice,” said Matt.

“Then, of course, I’d have the squid (£9). Sometimes the people are right. They even rave about the potatoes we serve but they’re just crispy new potatoes with chilli, garlic, chives and lime.” continued on Page 8 from Page 7

In addition to the skill of the chef – after all Matt used to write a recipe column for Wharf Life when he was at The Gun and we don’t let just anyone do that – key to the success of a restaurant is the produce it has to work with.

Fish Game promises to regularly change its menu to fit in with what’s in season, whether that’s meat, fish or vegetables.

“It’s a little early for game season at the moment, but come August 12 we will have grouse on the menu and we also plan to feature partridge, pheasant and quail at the right time,” said Matt.

“We’ll be sourcing our game from the Windsor Park Estate, which is pretty local to us. In fact, if they turn the menu over, diners will be able to see where we get all of the fish, meat and game that we use within the UK, which is a nice touch. For Roberto it’s important that we serve things that stand out. That includes the fact we only offer two desserts – a tiramisu that’s made at the table and a lemon tart with seasonal fruit. We’ve also got an ice cream machine that we’re going to use to make a gelato with olive oil and sea salt. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s really good.

“I’ve been here two months, but as for the future I’d love to win a Michelin star and then perhaps see if we can expand to another site or two.”

So there you have it, the Wharf’s latest arrival packed with unusual produce, dishes, decor and verve.

Fish Game is, Matt tells me, currently looking for talented chefs – who wouldn’t want to chance their arm at a project that aims to stand out and get noticed?

Oh, and before I forget to mention it, as if potent art, a chilli menu and plenty of food isn’t enough, the Water Street restaurant also distinguishes itself by offering drinks served from its extensive Agave Bar.

Specialising in Tequila, Raicilla and Mezcal (with a single Sotol on the list too) this promises to add a potent note to any dinner.

And there certainly isn’t time to go into a cocktail list that’s classified by a system of chess pieces. You’ll just have to head down to Wood Wharf, bag a table and work your way through them, by which time the whole enterprise might make some kind of sense. Go to fishgamerestaurant.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Fish Game in Canary Wharf venue - The Monty Find it in Montgomery Square

>> FESTIVAL14 is set to take place across SIX MAIN VENUES on the Canary Wharf estate – here we’ve listed as many events as we can t in to help you plan your visit over the ve days...

COMEDY CLUB

Weds - Jul 26, 7pm

Comics Abandoman (Rob Broderick), Paul Chowdhry and Stephen Bailey are set to open four nights of comedy in Canary Wharf. Expect improv from Rob in the headline slot as he transforms ideas from the audience into songs and tall tales.

COMEDY CLUB

Thurs - Jul 27, 7pm

Shaparak Khorsandi of Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week fame, headlines a bill of top female stand-ups that also features Sara Barron, Spring Day plus hosting duties from Mark Watson.

COMEDY CLUB

Fri - Jul 28, 7pm

Lou Sanders, comedian and Taskmaster series eight champ, leads the third club night with

how Festival14 is set to fill Canary Wharf with gigs, theatre, song, dance and a whole lot more over five days

by Jon Massey

Where to even start with Festival14? Having taken the decision to focus much of its summer arts and events programme into four days last year, Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has extended the 2023 iteration by a day, packing the calendar for July 26-30.

There’s so much on, we’ve had to reduce the size of our font just to get as many events listed as possible.

“We’ve really built on our programme from 2022,” said Camilla McGregor of CWG’s arts and events team. “In addition to Winter Lights in January, Festival14 is an anchor event in our season.

“It’s trying to combine all the things that we do, like outdoor support from Axel Blake and MC Lloyd Gri th.

COMEDY CLUB Sat - Jul 29, 7pm

The nal line-up is set to be headlined by breakout talent Desiree Burch, host of Net ix’s Too Hot To Handle. Also on the bill are Mark Simmons, Je Innocent and Tatty Macleod.

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS

Sun - Jul 30, 3pm

Suitable for those aged 6+ and their adults, this is a show featuring stand-ups doing their thing without the rude bits.

>> All evening comedy events cost £10 per person plus a booking fee. Comedy Club 4 Kids costs £10 for adults and £7 for children. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment

>> SXWKS Takeover will also take place from 2pm on July 29, featuring poets Brother Portrait, Remi Graves, Lanaire Aderemi and Belinda Zhawi – FREE scan here to nd the venue theatre, classical music concerts and dance so that people can come down and experience them on a single visit or over a few days.

“The amazing thing about the format is that everything is happening on the Canary Wharf estate within walking distance.

“Someone coming down might see some Shakespeare, take part in a workshop at the Fandangoe Discoteca then see a performance in Canada Square Park.

“Most of the festival is free because it’s important to make it accessible to the local community and as wide and audience as possible.

“We are charging for some events where there is limited space but the tickets are very reasonably priced.

“In planning the programme it’s also been important for us to create an inclusive festival with continued on Page 10

Shaparak

Khorsandi from Page 9 artists and acts from a diverse cross section of society in London. Whichever genre – theatre, comedy or music, for example –everyone should be represented.”

With events and performances taking place from 11am or noon each day, there will be big name acts alongside less well-known attractions spread across six main venues.

“We’re incredibly excited to have Soul II Soul to headline Friday night in Canada Square Park because they are world famous and we’ve wanted to host them for a long time,” said Camilla.

“On the comedy side we have performers like Mark Watson, Lou Sanders and Shaparak Khorsandi at The Monty Tent in Montgomery Square. The Comedy Club will run in it for four nights with comedy for kids on the Sunday.

“Personally I’m looking forward to Big Fish, Little Fish Family Rave – a two-hour party designed for parents and kids to celebrate life with bubbles and balloons.

“Then on the main stage there are sets from Craig Charles and Norman Jay who are both household names and have been on the London circuit for years – they’re both amazing.

“Over the years our summer concerts have appealed to the community and we have a strong returning audience so for Festival14 we wanted to create a line-up suitable for our loyal fans and new audiences alike. That’s why we have chosen jazz, soul and r’n’b. For example, we will have Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra who are very well established and more contemporary sounds from Laura Misch, both on the Sunday.

“Canary Wharf has a long tradition of engaging with the local community too so we will have theatre programmed by The Space on the Isle Of Dogs and a performance from the Docklands Sinfonia in the mix too as well as artists who grew up in east London. There will be loads for kids and families to do too with the Crossrail Place Roof Garden the venue for many of these kinds of events.”

So, diaries out – the festival is only two weeks away but there’s still plenty of time to plan those must-sees. Don’t forget the street food from Karnival in Montgomery Square, daily from noon, either.

Go to canarywharf.com for more

Scan this code for the full, official Festival14 programme venue - Canada Square

Find it in Canada Square Park venue - Westferry Circus Roundabout

Find a tranquil garden surrounded by roads

>> Amid the hustle and bustle a secluded garden acts as a welcome escape. For FESTIVAL14, it’s a real escape. Here are the highlights..

WEDS - JUL 26 l Much Ado About Nothing

6.30pm, FREE

Enjoy Shakespeare’s classic as romantic comedy, deception and wedding bells test young lovers Hero and Claudio as well as singletons Beatrice and Benedick.

THURS - JUL 27 l Public The Musical 7pm, FREE scan here to find the venue

>> While there are myriad attractions across the Wharf, it’s important to know what’s happening on the main stage in full to avoid missing the top acts...

WEDS - JUL 26 l Massaoke

7pm, FREE

The opening night of the festival will see Canada Square Park filled with festival-goers singing along to banging tunes from a live band. Expect big screen lyrics, air guitar and sequins.

THURS - JUL 27 l Nick Howe + ABH Beatbox 12.30pm, FREE l Karina Ramage + Sam Jackson 1.25pm, FREE l Lou Hayter 6pm, FREE l Craig Charles 8pm, FREE

Expect a blend of genres from this duo plus plenty of beatboxing on the mic.

Listen to acoustic renditions of popular tunes and chart classics.

The London-based musician and DJ rose to prominence as part of the New Young Pony Club. Here she spins some tunes on the decks.

From Red Dwarf to the wheels of steel, expect a succession of special sounds from the inventor of the Trunk Of Punk on Radio 6.

FRI - JUL 28 l Sammie Jay + John Clapper 12.30pm, FREE Sax and soul from the former, beats, harmonies and guitar solos form the latter. l John Clapper + Rufus Quickenden l Krystal Roxx

1.25pm, FREE Clapper stays on, this time joined by pianist Rufus for some floor fillers.

6.15pm, FREE l Soul II Soul 8.30pm, FREE Sellers of 10million albums, the headliners will see everyone into the weekend with an hour-long set featuring hits from more than four decades in the business.

Often to be found DJ-ing at M Restaurant, Krystal is a festival regular with a global career.

SAT - JUL 29 l Sully Gravity noon, FREE l Renato Paris

This artist is inspired by the best in soul, r’n’b and gospel.

1.30pm, FREE l Cherise

A Brit School graduate, this performer is a regular on the London jazz scene.

3.15pm, FREE l Wayne Snow 5pm, FREE Having grown up in Nigeria, Wayne promises a set influenced by the likes of Sade, King Sunny Ade and Marvin Gaye. l Yazmin Lacey

This vocalist, songwriter and musician draws on her Jamaican heritage for a sound rooted in Neo Soul.

6.45pm, FREE l Norman Jay 8.30pm, FREE

Soul Saturday continues with this singer songwriter who is set to launch debut album Voice Notes later this year.

The veteran DJ and founder of the Good Times Sound System is set to headline on Saturday. Expect a truly massive night.

SUN - JUL 30 l Docklands Sinfonia Brass Ensemble

12.30pm, FREE l Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra

Expect popular classics, jazz, show and film music from this east London outfit.

2.15pm, FREE l Nubiyan Twist 4pm, FREE l Laura Misch

Big band power from some of the best in the business as the ensemble return to Canary Wharf for a set of potent standards.

This nine-piece outfit promise ultra-tight jazz featuring tunes from their latest album Freedom Fables.

5.45pm, FREE

Closing out the festival, the singer, songwriter and saxophonist is set to blend ethereal sounds with visceral lyrics live on stage for your enjoyment. Expect plenty of electronic production too, from the south Londoner.

Four strangers find themselves trapped in a gender-neutral public toilet in this production created by queer-led theatre collective Stroud And Notes.

FRI - JUL 28 l Bach To Baby 11am, £10

A classical concert aimed at ages 0-5 with soothing summertime sounds to charm babies and toddlers.

SAT - JUL 29 l Big Fish, Little Fish 2.30pm, £10 (£7.50 for kids)

This family rave features banging tunes from DJ Savage Animal with confetti, bubbles and a dance floor for parents and children who like to groove together.

SUN - JUL 30 l Macbeth + Romeo & Juliet 1pm, 2pm, FREE 440 Theatre present two of the Bard’s classics with only four actors and each cut down to 40 minutes –incidentally the same time it took Puck to put a girdle about the Earth. Comic, silly and perfect for a Sunday. scan here to find the venue scan here to find the venue venue - Jubilee Park

Find it between the Tube exits

>> Jubilee Park is set to be the home of informal live music for FESTIVAL14 as Busk In London takes over the space...

WEDS - JUL 26 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm

Listen to Giulia Marelli, Conor Clarke and Michael Sebastian respectively.

THURS - JUL 27 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm

Discover Joncan Kavlakoglu, Kitty Montague and Atticus Blue.

FRI - JUL 28 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm Hear Sherika Sherard, Beth McCarthy and Freddie Joon.

SAT - JUL 29 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm, 5.15pm scan here to find the venue scan here to find the venue venue - Crossrail Place Roof Garden

See Lucy May Walker, Ali Kosé, Alex Hall Duo and Fransis.

SUN - JUL 30 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm, 5.15pm Groove with Alex Hall, Nick Howe, Ali Kosé and Natalie Shay.

Find it on top of the Elizabeth Line station

>> The foliage-rich setting will host a range of events curated by Isle Of Dogs arts centre The Space. Here are some highlights...

WEDS - JUL 26 l The Shoot Out 1pm, FREE

A high energy show where two performers use storytelling to do battle in the form of sign language.

THURS - JUL 27 l Canary Cabaret 7.30pm, FREE Bric A Brac Theatre take over the garden with turns from a variety of artists to entertain and delight.

FRI - JUL 28 venue - Wren Landing

Find it on the way to the dock from Cabot Sq l On the Saturday and Sunday the park will also host workshops for festival-goers to make their own crown or headdress from recycled satin. There will be kids face painting too on the Sunday – all from noon.

>> All events in Jubilee Park are FREE to attend and unticketed l Tell It To The Bees 7pm-8pm

This storytelling and live music show is inspired by encounters with the honeymaking insects. Expect a lively, thought-provoking performance that blends folklore with true life.

SAT - JUL 29 l Claytime 11am, 12.45pm

Hosted in partnership with children’s theatre Half Moon in Limehouse, this performance of creativity and clay is aimed at those aged 0-8.

SUN - JUL 30 l Dragon’s Tale 2.30pm, 4pm Another Half Moon show, this one for ages 4+. Rick’s a fan of poetry but poets are being silenced by a dragon. How can he save the village and verse from this fiery fiend?

>> FREE tickets for events curated by The Space can be booked at space.org.uk