The Grapes, Limehouse, E14

Sir ian mckellan who I believe lives just up the road is involved in the ownership of this riverside pub. Quite a small dark characterful interior spread over 2 floors. 5 real ales and food served.

First in Weds 17:30 and liked the look of it straight away. Pride, Pedigree, TT Landlord, Brakspear Oxford Gold, drank a few of the latter which was very good. Not a big selection of wines but the friendly barman poured a taster of the couple of reds before choosing. The whole has a nice lived-in woody feel, narrowish bar space widens either end with tables & seating and there is the much mentioned ‘deck' to the rear over the river, although those suits who used it that night must've been frozen, maybe had some top level secret takeover to discuss, haha. Little dog at table next to ours, so it seems they are allowed which I like. Loos are upstairs which gave me a chance to spot the little restaurant, and very nice it looked too – it seems to have a good rep especially for fish, maybe I'll check that out some time. Busy when we left, but nowhere near as rammed as the post-work Canary Wharf hell-holes. 13 January 2008 CLOSED at 15:10 last Thurs, making my trip in the rain somewhat maddening. Odd that they bother to close for a coupla hours round here, but I'll be back to check it out when open.