Heist Bank has a laid-back feel, with long communal tables as well as smaller tables, and a big terrace at the front. For dinner we started with the N’duja croquettes with wild garlic mayo. I’ve often thought if I had to live on one type of food for the rest of my life croquettes would be a fore-runner, and happily, these ones would definitely make the cut. Our mains were delicious wood-fired pizzas and we opted for the unusual topping of lamb and feta on one, and a smashed peas, courgette, goat’s cheese & mint on the other. If pizza isn’t your thing, fear not as an array of small plates ideal for sharing (or not, depending on your mood) are available. Desserts included a baked Alaska which was a welcome blast from the past, and a chocolate pizza (every bit as decadent as you would imagine). There’s plenty of art to look at while you digest, including an impressive double-height installation from graffiti artist Pure Evil, and in contrast, lots of beautiful blooms from the on-site florist Botanique, which are all available to purchase. There’s also a room in the basement for private parties which is complete with karaoke, old Nintendos and self-service beer kegs. All the essentials you’d ever need for a good ‘do’.
As Heist Bank is positioned so closely to the canal, they have provided their own bicycles that customers can borrow to go for a spin, so you can wobble away around Paddington before returning for a game of pool, or to play one of the many board-games scattered around the bar area. I manage to lose three games of backgammon and two games of pool, so I will be back very soon for a re-match (and another plate of croquettes).