Summer hotspot: Terrazza on the Thames, Docklands

By their very nature, summer pop-ups in the UK have to be the result of boundless optimism. This certainly holds true with the stunning Terrazza on the Thames in London’s Docklands.

Decked out with gondolier poles, gondola-style booths and candlelit lanterns, the Terrazza (part of Columbia Restaurant) has been created as a Venetian-inspired area, offering a menu of cocktails, cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and live music.

Venetian tasting plates
In keeping with the playful, carnival theme as well as the Italian pre-requisite for cicchetti, the food menu is shareable and finger-friendly. Bruschetta with tomato, truffle, wild mushroom, ricotta and almonds; arancini balls with arrabbiata dipping sauce; and polenta chips with salsa verde and garlic mascarpone dip make up a few of the small plates available. There is also an outdoor pizza oven - bang on trend these days.

Carnevale di Venezia and live music – 23 June
On the day when the rest of the nation will be deciding whether to Stay In or Opt Out, the Terrazza will be holding a Carnevale di Venezia complete with coloured silks, masks, live music and revelry.

Terrazza on the Thames, Docklands Riverside, 265 Rotherhithe Street, London SE16 5HW

www.columbiarestaurant.co.uk