Reviews
Winner of The London Docklands Good Food Awards
(Sponsored by British Gas)
“This Docklands floating restaurant (aka Leven is Strijd) will open for parties of 10 to 50 with a maximum of 22 for a sit-down dinner. Parties have included family celebrations, small weddings, Sunday lunch parties and the Penthouse Christmas party to which our intrepid reporter was invited. Inside its serene and smart sumptuous even complete with deep leather sofas.
We marvelled at the food - good by any standards but superb by boat standards.
Starters can include gazpacho, broccoli and cream soufflé and smoked salmon parcels tied with chives. Fish features heavily in the main courses: fillet of sea trout with basil sauce, monkfish tails with leek, coriander and saffron sauce. If you want meat there's roast lamb or fillet of beef with confit of garlic and shallots with red wine sauce: vegetarian food can be arranged.
The food was charmingly and efficiently served on our visit.”
- Time Out“The name of this Twenties Dutch barge translates, gloomily as 'life is a struggle'. However life on board the Leven is rather fun, what with birthday brunches, noisy parties, business meetings and candlelit dinners in the oak-panelled main saloon.
Food is modem British (viz.: fillet of Scotch beef with rösti; prawns with chilli garlic and lemongrass; lemon tart), and chef Lorna Cartwright bakes her own bread and makes her own ice-cream.
The barge takes private bookings of between ten and 50. Prices start at £30 per head, which includes the hire charge for the boat.”
- Evening Standard“Recognising that modern business style means that many meals are now eaten "in house", a special 'Docklands Hospitality Award' was presented at this year's Awards dinner and dance to honour a private caterer.
The recipient was Lorna Cartwright, who bases her business on the Leven is Strijd sailing barge, moored in West India Quay, from where she dispenses superb comfort food - and haute cuisine too - to Docklands' high-flyers.
Says the Corporation's VIP Visits Co-ordinator Stuart Neil: 'The Leven gives a perfect flavour of what Docklands is all about - and does it in a truly businesslike environment.”
- New Awards, London Dockland Guide
