Wetherspoons Girl Goes Fine Dining in Wapping

Usually, fine dining is the goal in the whole dining experience. It's luxury, it's aesthetically pleasing, the food and wine is GOOD. Did I deserve to be within the realms of such wealth? Probably not.

Earlier this week, I visited the Smith's Wapping to meet my parents and their friends. It's a place that focuses on seafood, so I knew it was going to be on the pricier side. However, I did not expect to be greeted as a 'madamme' in a beautiful French accent, nor did I expect to be asked if I wanted my coat taken for me. I panicked and said "I'll just keep it with me, thanks" because I simply just did not know what people usually do with their coats.

The French lady – who had a very professional manner, by the way – showed me to the table where I joined the group, but I had no chair. I stood there awkwardly, wondering if I could grab a chair from another table when the French lady got it for me. As I was greeting my parents and their friends, I noticed the waiter was just standing there. What could he be doing? Is he waiting for me to order a drink right now? Oh man, I'm going to have to panic order.

Anyways, I moved on, the waiter took my coat and put it on the back of my chair. I sat down and it started moving towards the table. I was being tucked in. Honestly, it felt like I had suddenly woken up on an amusement ride in a dream, like I had no idea how I got there or what's happening.

When it came to ordering, I had no idea what was available. My silly self asked for a menu when they're actually on tablets because of course they can afford to just pass tablets around. No one's going to break it because the customers are professional and careful. Am I? No! I write blogs on things I think are fun to talk about. Something I say may offend someone, I'm just doing what will reach viewers. My heart was still pumping from walking all the way from Shadwell station, I was scared that I would accidentally knock something. I must not do anything like that here.

Anyway, I ended up panic ordering a white wine because I didn't know if I wanted a pinot or a sauvignon. I didn't know what would happen, like if the waiter would give me a list to choose from but no, he just said nodded, because of course! They would give me their recommendation and I tell you what – it was a fantastic choice! The wine was absolutely delicious! I had never had a wine so smooth, not at all loaded with tannins, just a perfect balance between sweet and dry. We decided to get a bottle.

When I arrived, my parents and their friends were ordering dessert and I hadn't eaten. I didn't want a dessert because I just needed proper food, so I asked if I could have a starter but the kitchen was closing for staff breaks so I decided to go with cheese and crackers. I had no idea what some of the cheeses were, but as I've literally just searched them up, I discovered that époisses goes surprisingly well with charcoal crackers. Époisses and charcoal, whatever that might taste like.

As I was savouring the wonderful flavours, an arm reached over with the wine bottle and automatically topped my wine glass – I had no idea I needed more wine, but I know I definitely did! I was in a state of bewilderment as I was trying to maintain a conversation with these friends I have recently met. It's truly a different world to ordering from an app.

When lunch was all over and done with and the evening just dawning, one of the waiters lifted the blinds to reveal a landscape of neon colours, the Tower Bridge and Bermondsey. They know how to accommodate to a point that you feel like you live here, in such a beautiful dining room. After a first taste of independence in crowded pubs and basic food, I'd say Smith's is definitely worth the price, I highly recommend.