Lunch at South Bank’s BFI – with Woody Allen, Dickens or London Comedy Film Festival?

It was Friday lunchtime and I needed a quick bite to eat and somewhere to meet a friend in between meetings. Often I will frequent the various coffee bars but these are often noisy and busy. So imagine my surprise when I arrived at the Benugo bar and restaurant on the South Bank’s BFI to find a variety of stylish sofas and comfortable arm chairs available in the large, softly lit bar area – and even a couple of empty booths.

Remembering all the times when I have been here in the evening and had to fight my way to the bar through the crowds to secure the required cocktail, it was a pleasant surprise to discover the place’s quieter and calmer day time mode.
There were a few people working at their laptops and one or two people having what looked like work meetings. There were even two couples with very young babies (I have to admit that I really don’t like it when they scream and the parents seem to think it’s OK to inflict their nightmare on everyone else – I always made a rapid exit when mine were young and being fractious).

The waitress handed me a bar menu which offered chorizo, cheese boards, charcuterie, chips and a few sandwiches. But on request she provided me with the dining menu from the restaurant. There were some interesting options including salmon fish cakes, venison hot pot, duck confit as well as fish and chips and steak. I opted for Scottish smoked salmon and fennel salad with dill crème fraiche (£7.95) which was on the starter menu and a crisp, dry glass of chenin blanc (£4). This was served on a patterned plate which reminded me of my grandmother’s house. A simple, light, elegant, wheat free and healthy lunch to support the New Year efforts. A bottle of tap water was produced on request and the cappuccino (£2.40) was perfect.

While eating my light lunch and chatting to my friend I also had a look at what’s on at the BFI – there’s usually a jolly assortment of features and festivals. In the Imax cinema nearby there are 3D presentations of Happy Feet and Puss in Boots as well as Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. There’s also a Lord of the Rings all-Nighter scheduled for 14th January.

In the BFI itself currently running is Wise Cracks – the comedies of Woody Allen (until 8th February) as well as Dickens on Screen (until 28th February) and if you need a laugh between 26th and 29th February there’s The London Comedy Film Festival – now that’s a date going into my diary.

Further information: http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/film_programme/january_seasons_0