Le Pont de la Tour Terrace and Plage Review

"Sir Terence Conran opened Le Pont de la Tour in 1991 as part of the redevelopment of the Butler's Wharf area on the South Bank. Nestled next to Tower Bridge, the converted Grade II listed Victorian warehouse enjoys some of the finest Thames views and was the flagship restaurant of Conran's Gastrodome project, a series of restaurants along with the first iteration of the Design Museum that brought a palpable buzz to this part of London."

"I played the piano in the bar at Le Pont de la Tour for fifteen years, and the restaurant was the hottest place in town. A heady mix of celebrity, new money and East End gangsters devoured classic French cuisine, including the iconic crustacean-laden Plateau de Fruits de Mers, spending their bonuses and ill-gotten gains on top quality Burgundies and Clarets. Paul McCartney, Mad Frankie Fraser and Graham Norton were all regulars and Paul O'Grady would always give me a wave when out walking his dog."

"We visited on a blowy lunchtime on the day of a tube strike with the idea of sitting outside on the terrace that stretches the length of the restaurant. We ended up inside because of the weather. However, as the summer approaches Le Pont not only has the Terrace to offer, but also the return of Pont Plage at the end of May, transplanting the French Riviera to the Thames."

"Both sides of the terrace are to be covered with sand for 'a fully immersive 360-degree beachside atmosphere, with iconic Tower Bridge as the eternal backdrop'. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and I think Sir Terence would approve. The Pont Plage will feature the St-Germain Spritz Bar serving menus of St-Germain and Hugo Spritzes alongside 'a seafood menu, inspired by the coas"

Le Pont de la Tour opened in 1991 during redevelopment of the Butler’s Wharf area on London’s South Bank. The Grade II listed Victorian warehouse sits beside Tower Bridge and is known for fine Thames views. The venue previously served as a flagship for Sir Terence Conran’s Gastrodome project, and it became a popular restaurant with a lively mix of celebrities and local characters. After years of playing piano there, a return visit focused on whether standards and the restaurant’s spirit would remain under Evolv Group ownership. A blowy lunchtime led to dining indoors, but the terrace and the upcoming Pont Plage event are planned to bring a French Riviera beach atmosphere to the Thames, including sand-covered terrace areas and a St-Germain Spritz Bar with spritz menus and a seafood offering.

Read at London Unattached