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Benugo at BFI Southbank

Benugo Bar & Kitchen
BFI Southbank
This concession is just one of many burgeoning cafés at the Southbank Centre. The understated modern decor in the dining area, coupled with outrageously textured and coloured sofas of the lounge, suggests serious intent but is also quite playful. This description extends to the food as well, with classic British favourites featuring on the menu along with some inspired delights. Menus change frequently – recent selections included grilled courgette and feta salad with oregano, lemon and honey dressing (£7.50), sea bream with sweet potato, parsley and poached tomato in a saffron broth (£13.50), and an impressive-looking own-made pie served with vegetables of the day (£9.50 single serving/£16 double serving). For those looking for a less formal pre- or post-film meal, there are also sandwiches (including a ‘build your own chip butty’ option), salads, and quick snacks (charcuterie and spring rolls). Specials are listed on chalkboards dotted around the spacious dining room. If you’re looking for a quick bite and a drink, the bar offers a good range of wines, beers and cocktails along with unique bar snacks such as a ‘pint’ of sausage rolls and tomato and mozzarella risotto balls.
The Benugo Bar & Kitchen, BFI Southbank, SE1 8XT (020 7928 3535) Embankment tube or Waterloo tube/rail. Open daily 11am-11pm.

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Searcy's Restaurant and Lounge Bar

Searcy’s Restaurant and Lounge Bar
Barbican Centre
Located on the second floor of the Barbican Centre, this restaurant is the smartest of the options on site, and offers views of the city skyline across the lakeside. The food is simple and fresh with the occasional interesting twist – perhaps saffron-scented Colchester mussels or a basket of woodpigeon with chips and black fig ketchup. A ‘Performance’ menu is available for pre- and post-theatre dining, and there’s also a choice of two courses for £24.50 or three courses for £28.50 with such British favourites as potted brown shrimp, jugged hare, or chocolate and chestnut tart to choose from. A well-thought-out and neatly categorised wine list offers plenty of choices as well as aperitifs, champagne, and dessert varieties, with most available by the glass.
Searcy’s Restaurant and Lounge Bar, The Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (020 7588 3008) Barbican tube. Open Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm, 5pm-10.30pm; Sat 5pm-10pm.

Riverside Bar & Kitchen
Riverside Studios
Freshly prepared food and a comprehensive wine list coupled with cheerful staff and a buzzing atmosphere make this a good place to enjoy a meal. The humble decor belies the quality of the food. The nibbles on the bar food menu include mezze, tapas and antipasti. On the specials menu, starters were surprisingly big – a salmon dish (£7) came with a larger-than-life buckwheat blini, a generous slosh of creamy shallot and white wine sauce and a mound of spinach – though a risotto with cherry tomatoes and pistachios (£6.50) was unappetisingly watery. However, the menu shows creativity and caters to all tastes, with classics like pumpkin ravioli with parmesan and rocket as well as more unusual fare such as spatchcocked quail. Appealing desserts round off the meal nicely, with choices such as maple and walnut ice cream (£4), pear and almond pudding with fresh cream (£5) and gooseberry fool (£4.50).
Riverside Bar & Kitchen, Riverside Studios, Crisp Rd, W6 9RL (020 8237 1000) Hammersmith tube. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-11pm, food served 12noon-3pm and 4pm-9pm; Sun 12.30pm-10.30pm, food served 1pm-9pm.

Hotels with cinemas | Best cinema cafés | Cinemas with restaurants

Feature by Kate Calder and Charmaine Mok