London -Isle of Dogs/Docklands pub/food recommendations

IN a word, no.

THe Royal China in Canary Wharf can be good value and is one of a dozen or so contenders for "best Dim Sum in Europe". And that's pretty much it. Otherwise, the best food you'll get is in the ready meals section of the nearest Tesco, Sainsbury or Marks + Spencer.

Some guides give OK reviews to the Dockmasters Indian Restaurant in Hartsmere Rd E14, and to the Mem Saheb on Thames in Amsterdam Rd E14. If you've got a car, try the more reassuring-sounding Mobeen or Vijay's Chawalla in Forest Gate.

But, from a culinary point of view, the best thing to be said for the area is its proximity to City Airport for a quick flight to Paris. And if you're handy for the DLR, you can get to and from civilisation fairly easily.

If this provokes a native to tell us that no really, the Millwall Supporters' Arms serves real food and more than 5% of its customers have got out alive, I'd be delighted.

Though sceptical.

Have you already paid deposits on the flat? If so you can definitely make the best of it. But the Isle of Dogs is not a very convenient area for a leisure trip. Don't worry I'm not talking dangerous or scary, just inconvenient - you are well away from all the sites (except for Greenwich which is just across the river). The area has been really redeveloped and a lot of folks live there - but not many that are trying to get to the British Museum, or the V&A or Hampton Court Palace every day.

I wouldn't say catering in and around Canary Wharf is entirely upmarket: not everyone that works there is that well-paid, and there are a lot of different outlets in the main shopping malls, including a Wagamama, Pret a Manger and other sandwich shops and Italian-run cafés. But a lot of the cheaper places tend to be oriented towards grab-and-run lunches, and the evening places towards business entertaining.

There are cheaper pub/grub outlets like the Wetherspoon's Ledger House on West India Quay, which may not be inspiring but will fuel you up. If you're further down the Island, Café Hubbub at the Space is OK, but can fill up; my neighbours speak well of the Elephant Royale Thai restaurant near Island Gardens, if your apartment's that far down, but it looks a bit pricey to me, cheapskate that I am.

I like living there, but I have to second Janis, in terms of ease of access to tourist attractions in central London, and especially west of the centre. There is a fast boat service (www.thamesclippers.com), but it's oriented more towards commuter hours. If you're in easy reach of Canary Wharf tube station, the Jubilee Line will get you to the West End in about 20 minutes, but it feels like a long ride.

Whereabouts exactly is the apartment? I might be able to advise further.

Why on earth stay in this vile location? It's truly awful and miles from anywhere.

Thanks for the information. I understand that this is not in the most convenient location but we will get up early in the morning, breakfast, leave to see the sights and not return until evening for a late supper (if we haven't eaten already) and bed. The apartment is on the Thames across from the Millenium Dome about an equal distance from a DLR station and the Canary Wharf tube stop (maybe 500 yards). It is a large, well appointed apartment and there are eight of us. The location is well compensated for by the price--100 pounds per night. I would rather spend money on things like the theatre than on what my eyes can't see while sleeping anyway. Besides, twenty minutes of people watching on the tube can be quite entertaining!