Canton Arms

A wonderful local gastro pub that I now frequent almost weekly. From lite bites to indulgent joints to share - this is my new fave London haunt. Hare with polenta, 7 hour shoulder of Lamb for 5 people to share. Nyom nyom nyom

A lovely old pub, in need of a touch of paint here and there but the atmosphere on the Sunday afternoon was relaxed, and the interior reminded me of a blend of traditional with gastronomic pub, but not in the clinical way that many chains seem to achieve.
Service started well and the menu was concise and different, mainly in that the mainstay of a Sunday roast wasn't on offer.
I started with the sardines, feeling the need for the healthy fish oils after one or two too many the previous evening. They looked the part, large and juicy but somewhat undercooked for my liking, perhaps deliberate but I enjoy sashimi and enjoy cooked fish but this was a synthesis of the two and I struggled to pull the raw fish from the bones and left half of each.
I would have loved to try the roast chicken with ceasar salad but this was on the board for 2 and, at £26, probably a bit greedy for 1. I had the Porchetta, which was a lovely slice of rolled pork, three small roast potato's and salad. It was a nice dish but I'd have happily put away another slice and thought there'd be a little more for the price.
I did see someone having the chicken and I'd have been better to have that for myself and to have skipped the starter. The skin was a little pale however and, from other postings, it seems that this aversion to cooking time is a trend. My colleague had the duck leg which was very nice with lentils but again could have spent another minute or two crisping the skin, getting rid of some of the fattier bits.
It was busy by the time we were leaving so had to take the bill and card to the bar to pay as the staff seemed preoccupied with the table service.
Overall the food was interesting and decent, I prefer some dishes a little more cooked, but others could disagree. It's a five minute walk from home so I'd return on occasion to see if we had a slight off day, but the Bear in Camberwell has always proved reliable so remains a better choice for me right now.

Our visit was extremely frustrating. Starter of shin of beef in a soy, cucumber and chilli sauce was almost totally devoid of flavour - both meat and dressing - while another of beets, goat's curd and mint was just... bland. Mains were a bit better: lemon sole was slightly underdone but still a nice piece of fish and a rustic stew of globe artichoke, salsify and white beans was a hearty treat, though lacking in seasoning. Service was slight and forgetful and just a little bit smug, I'm afraid. There's a whiff of self-satisfaction about this place.

I too remember the Canton in its previous life. I think the botox had worn off when we visited today. We were asked to sit in the front and order from the bar. Unfortunately when we did we were told that they were not taking orders. We should have left it there. The barman came back with the news that he had managed to get our order through. An hour later and one hungry child we wished they had n't bothered. When the food did arrive the duck leg was swimming in a pea soup but neither had any thing to recommend them other than they filled a hole. Overpriced, understaffed and very very below par. Not worth passing any further down South Lambeth Road for. The manager did n't apologise when I spoke to him. After some prompting about the bill he lamely offered us pudding but by then we had had enough and went home to eat a decent filling meal. The past is another country and the Canton will remain firmly there on the evidence today.

im sorry the treacle tart was historic worthy of my grandma and thats praise indeed!!!