Not crowded and relaxed atmosphere on South Bank on a Friday evening. Amazing. An oasis of calm.
Originally uploaded by Manne.
W had a date with a play on the Friday night (Pitmen Painters, sounds awesome), so I was left at my own devices to entertain myself. What better way to spend a solitary evening than a nice meal on South Bank after work and then hook up to the free WiFi at BFI to do some brainstorming about the future of namibianviking.com?
Took a long walk around the area just opposite from Waterloo station, but found nothing attracting my fancy. Every single place was rammed with people, I even looked at Strada and Wagamama and was put right off by the stress levels emanating from their big windows.
Came full circle, back where I started outside the Archduke. While pondering my situation, my stomach violenly reminding me how hugry I was, I saw a place I never really noticed before: Canteen.
As I entered the place I immediately asked myself why I have never been here before. I work across the road, yet I never knew about this lovely and unassuming place almost Scandinavian in atmosphere, serving seasonal British homely fare based on locally sourced produce? There will be many breakfasts and lunches eaten here, if the food is as good as the look of the place implies.
The website: www.canteen.co.uk
Big emphasis on their USP: honest food, traditionally cooked, without pretentiousness. Easy to navigate, all the information you need about the restaurant with lots of background information on their approach to sourcing produce, cooking and design. Very interesting, and a good use of the web.
No online booking, yet you can email them.
The location:
Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd (map)
The staff:
Friendly, well dressed, efficient without stressing about.
The place:
Rather big, very open. Mainly booths, seating groups of 4 or 2 sitting side by side. In tune with their approach to their food, the look of the place is very clean yet conveys a use of quality materials with a sturdy feel.
The crowd:
I was lucky enough to arrive just as a table was freed up, but the people arriving after me had to wait for their table. Obviously this place is popular. Surprisingly, despite the place being full, I didn't get that crowded stressed out feeling I got from the other places I walked past as I hunted for food.
The food:
Exactly what is says on the tin. British food based on great produce, cooked with skill and attention to detail. Lovely.
Since they had bubble and squeak on the menu I had to try it. With some seasonal greens on the side and a pint of beer it isn't really a breakfast... While it didn't really compare to the best bubble and squeak in the world, which is served at Maria's Market Cafe over at Borough Market by the way, it was very good. Succulent bacon with perfectly fried eggs made me a very satisfied diner indeed.
Bacon and eggs with bubble and squeak with seasonal greens on the side. And a pint of Meantime Pale Ale.
Originally uploaded by Manne.
The coffee:
Double espresso served in a school canteen kind of drinking glass... And really, really good.
The bill:
Now, while the meal was very good indeed, and I really appreciate the approach they take to food and cooking, I did find it a bit pricey. Bubble and squeak with bacon and eggs, some kale, a pint and a coffee for 20 pounds? Despite the fact it was Greenwich Meantime beer, the cost took a bit of the joy out of it.
The verdict:
Will certainly want to try them on for lunch and try something else on the menu.
