I received an email asking for feedback about our recent meal on the Heroica Lounge (bus): Based its Google & Tripadvisor reviews, I booked a table for 4 at this venue as a special treat before we went to see a concert at the O2. Unfortunately the venue, food & customer service didn’t live up to any of the reviews on this occasion. Venue / view: Firstly, if you try calling to book a table or check a booking, they never pick up the phone - I tried calling about 10 times to check our booking and also emailed but never got a reply The staff didn’t smile or try to make us feel welcome in the slightest from the moment we arrived to the moment we left – it felt as though the waiting staff did he absolute minimum and would all have preferred to be somewhere else rather than waiting on tables. The reviews all seem to rave about the river views but the bus is actually behind a floating hotel so the river views (certainly from where I was sitting) were completely obscured. There was no salt, pepper, salad dressing, chilli oil etc on the tables – none of these items were offered to us so my friend had to go downstairs to ask for all of these things There is no toilet on or outside of the bus. I was told we’d have to go into the floating hotel to use their loos! The food was nothing more than mediocre unfortunately. The staff didn’t really seem to give two hoots about us or our custom in all honesty. Their English, on the whole, is very poor and, despite us asking for guidance with the menu (size of starters etc), the waitress did a very bad job of advising us what to order / what sizes the portions were so we felt that we ended up with a disappointing selection of food: Bruschetta: the tomatoes were completely tasteless. The bruschetta was half the size of (but more expensive) than the garlic bread (which was lovely incidentally - the best thing on the menu!) The “Salmone” pizza wasn’t too bad and was covered with smoked salmon, tomatoes & rocket (I couldn’t taste gorgonzola which was meant to be on it too) – I thought it was curious that the waitress didn’t think to mention that this pizza was covered with tomatoes & rocket when we ordered a rocket & tomato salad to accompany it! £7 for a salad of exactly the same ingredients as the salad topping on the pizza we ordered... and no dressing on offer either! The “Friarielli” pizza had no tomato or white base so it was very dry. The sausage looked undercooked and the pizza was covered with what looked like cooked kale (I can only assume that this must be friarielli). My friends thought it was awful and left most of it. One of the waiters came to take another order of (very expensive) drinks (£7 for a single shot of gin with no mixer!) and completely forgot to bring them to us. As we had to leave to go to the concert, I asked the waitress about 10 mins later if he’d forgotten and she said “that’s why I was coming to see what you wanted – his English isn’t good so he didn’t understand you”! Needless to say we decided to leave at that point and get another drink somewhere else a bit more organised! I thought £84 was very pricey for a less than average meal and one drink each. We didn’t complain as a) it’s embarrassing when you’re out with what is supposed to be a special occasion with friends and b) we didn’t want to spoil our special evening. It was only later in the evening that we all discussed the meal between us and realised just how bad we all thought it was. I feel embarrassed to have chosen the venue to my friends in all honesty. If language is a barrier, we all felt that it would be really helpful if some photos could be added to your menu so that customers know what food they’re ordering. All in all, we didn’t enjoy the experience at all and therefore wouldn’t recommend this venue unfortunately – I wish we’d eaten in the O2 tbh – at least there is a good vibe there. A shame really as, with some more love and attention, this remarkably quirky venue could be wonderful. Sorry Heroica Lounge – just letting you know...
Read moreAllow me to recount an extraordinary pizza adventure in London's Docklands, aboard a double decker bus that promises an experience like no other. A delightful evening unfolded as my mate Dan and I stepped into this unique pizzeria, where delectable flavors awaited us. Little did we know that besides the incredible Truffle Pizza and refreshing pints of Asahi lager, a charming waitress named Ria would add an extra touch of magic to the evening.
From the moment we entered the transformed double decker bus, we were captivated by its warm and welcoming ambiance. The cozy setting and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pizzas set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.
As pizza enthusiasts seeking something extraordinary, our eyes immediately landed on the much-lauded Truffle Pizza on the menu. Excitedly, we placed our order and decided to complement our pizzas with a pint of Asahi lager to add to the merriment of the evening.
When the Truffle Pizza arrived at our table, it was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The thin, wood-fired crust was adorned with a symphony of flavors - truffle-infused sauce, premium mozzarella, and a generous sprinkle of earthy truffle slices. Each mouthful was a burst of delight, leaving us yearning for more with every bite. Without a doubt, it was one of the most exquisite pizzas we had ever tasted.
While we were thoroughly enjoying the pizza, it didn't take long for us to notice Dan's undeniable fondness for our server, Ria. Her charm and warm demeanor seemed to have cast a spell on him. However, we couldn't let Dan's newfound admiration distract us from savoring the exceptional flavors that adorned our plates.
What made this entire experience truly special was not just the culinary delight on offer but also the impeccable service provided by Ria. Her knowledge of the menu and passion for the restaurant's offerings were evident in every interaction. She took the time to walk us through the various pizza options, offering insightful recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes.
Throughout the evening, Ria struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and allowing us to enjoy our pizzas at our own pace. Her genuine enthusiasm for the food and the establishment added an extra layer of joy to the evening, making us feel like valued guests.
In conclusion, the double decker bus pizzeria in London's Docklands is a gem that promises a unique and magical pizza experience. The Truffle Pizza is an absolute must-try, and the friendly, attentive service provided by Ria adds an extra touch of warmth to the already delightful atmosphere. Dan's newfound admiration for Ria may have added a touch of lightheartedness to the evening, but it's the exceptional food and service that truly stole the show. We can't wait to return and explore more of the enticing pizza offerings while relishing the unparalleled charm of this remarkable...
Read moreMy recent visit to Heroica, the double-decker bus turned wood-fired-oven pizza restaurant near ExCeL London, was an absolute delight. This unique dining experience exceeded all expectations and left me and my three guests with unforgettable memories. We visited to celebrate my company's second anniversary and the success of our stall at the ExCeL Center earlier that day, and Heroica truly made it a night to remember.
From the moment we stepped foot onto the bus, the charming ambiance of Heroica embraced us. The water front view, coupled with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked pizzas, created an inviting atmosphere.
Our server, Ria, deserves special recognition for going above and beyond to ensure our night was truly special. She greeted us with a warm smile and guided us through the menu with great expertise. Ria's friendly, cheery and attentive nature made us feel well looked after, and her genuine passion for the food and the restaurant added an extra layer of enjoyment to our experience and get us very excited about our meals.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the wood-fired pizzas! The menu at Heroica offers an impressive selection of traditional and creative pizza options, and each one is crafted with utmost precision and care. The wood-fired oven imparts a distinct smoky flavor to the pizzas, creating a taste sensation that is simply unparalleled. The crusts were perfectly crispy on the outside, yet delightfully chewy on the inside, while the toppings were of good quality, bursting with flavor in every bite. It was evident that the ingredients used were fresh sourced, adding an extra touch of authenticity to each dish.
The vegan option had a lovely variety of vegetables and the pizza was generously topped with them. No leaving hungry from here.
Not only were the pizzas exceptional, but the starters also impressed us greatly. We couldn't resist trying the garlic bread and the mouthwatering bruschetta, both of which were prepared to perfection.
The service at Heroica was flawless, with attentive staff members ensuring our needs were always met. The level of passion and genuine enthusiasm displayed by the entire team was truly commendable.
Heroica has managed to combine a unique dining concept with outstanding food and service. Whether you're looking for a memorable celebration, a laid back date night, or simply a delicious wood-fired pizza, Heroica is the place to go. My heartfelt thanks go out to Ria and the entire Heroica team for providing us with a truly unforgettable evening. I can't wait to return and savor their exceptional pizzas once again!
Heroica, you are a true gem near ExCeL London, and you have earned every single one of these five stars. Keep up the...
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