No one makes burgers like they do in the States. At least that’s what my husband thought before we went to the newly opened Byron, Proper Hamburgers in Canary Wharf.

It was a spur of the moment decision, inspired by a tweet by @manne. His photos of the restaurant’s retro diner-style banquettes and tables, cool central bar eating area were what originally drew us. We were, however, unprepared for the tables with a panoramic view of the DLR station. Jack was overcome with excitement

Over the last few years, Canary Wharf has transformed from a white elephant to a glossy shopping and eating destination. When I go on my own with my 3 (nearly 4!) year old we get the DLR, which is an event in itself for him. When we go en famille we drive.

We were lured last weekend by the prospect of Waitrose and husband’s need for new sunglasses (yes, he is a metrosexual and proud of it). After a truly disappointing experience at The Gaucho, we headed for Jamie’s Italian

On the spur of the moment last weekend we decided to go out for lunch. As we rang round unsuccessfully trying to get a table, the realisation that it was Valentine’s Day slowly dawned. Our excuse for our lack of awareness of it being simultaneously the most romantic day of the year and the day you are least likely to get a spur of the moment table at a decent restaurant? We eschew the crass commercialisation of love…obviously.

We finally got a table at The Gaucho at Canary Wharf – a mere 15 minutes drive from us. Result. Chancing upon a restaurant with a free table on such a day really ought to arouse suspicion, however hunger and toddler demands for ‘sausage and mash now’ got the better of us and off we went