Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Fine dining

It would be an understatement to say that Londoners have been pleasantly surprised by the turn of Fortunes at the tent across the river. What was the world's biggest white elephant has now become an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed success. But whilst the concerts have been world-class, many of the restaurants surrounding the Arena have served Mediocre food for the past nine months. It is clear that little of outstanding quality is offered to more discerning visitors to The 02.

In recent years, London has risen to the top of the international restaurant scene. Britain has a limited culinary identity of its own and this has prompted a growing diversity in new culinary creations across the city. Exciting new standards of gastronomy have ensued and competition to serve the Best and most exquisite dishes in town is fierce.

Back in Canary Wharf, there has been limited movement amongst the top restaurants over the last couple of years; Ubon, Gaucho and Plateau quickly rose to the top of the tree, but since then Little of note has arrived in the area. Driven by the success of its Canary Wharf restaurant, Gaucho has now established a chic new offering at The 02. Its 'soft opening' in March arrived a few months later than other restaurants in the former Dome, but it is well-worth the wait.

When designing this multi-faceted steak haven, the owners clearly appreciated that they would have to do something special to attract Canary Wharf's business audience. As usual, diners can expect the very best steak at Gaucho, but in addition to the outstanding beef served, the restaurant offers a wine tasting boutique, cocktail bar, balcony lounge, private dining room and entertainment floor designed specifically For decadent corporate entertaining.

For those in search of a truly memorable evening out, Gaucho is also currently securing after-show parties from the Arena and indig02 (to which it is attached). Within the luxurious, dark chandelier and cowhide- clad restaurant, weekly master classes and wine tasting experiences are held in the wine boutique', whilst the additional suggestions of a chef's table and 'Top Floor Event Evenings' featuring live entertainment are extremely promising.

In addition to all this, Gaucho has introduced the '02 Arena Experience Dinnier' to its list of bespoke dinning options; procuring one of the hundred VIP suites in the Arena, the restaurant is able to offer parties of up to twenty four choosing to dine in its private dining room an invitation to watch the given evening's show.

A truly' luxurious atmosphere in which to enjoy the finest food, the arrival of Gaucho at The 02 signals a new standard of dining within the Dome, and indeed the surrounding Greenwich area. Matching the high standards of the performances on stage there, The 02 has Anally evened the score, with Gaucho firmly establishing itself as the premier dining experience this side of the city.