Family Reunion at Canteen – Southbank Centre

It's only right that I eat fish and chips in the company of northern relatives. My memories of visiting my Grandma and Uncle in Scunthorpe are mainly evenings in front of the telly, eating fish and chips, drinking Ribena and Coca Cola, while playing with a doll's house from goodness knows how long ago and reading the latest issue of Girl Talk.

Ten to fifteen years later, and a lot has changed. Namely, my Grandma is no longer alive, and my Dad and Uncle are both grandparents themselves now. My cousins are proper grown ups with real jobs (I suppose I am too...) and everything is a little more civilised than us being squashed into a four seater living room. But eating British food is one thing that has stayed constant, and that is exactly the kind of food served at the restaurant Julie picked for us to visit.

All eleven of us, including two babies, piled into Canteen in the Southbank Centre and sat at a table that had been laid especially for us. 

There was a lot to choose from on the menu, but the fish and chips were calling to me, and my Dad too, apparently.

The fish was cooked perfectly. The batter was crispy and garnished with sea salt and the tartar sauce was creamy and citrusy. And the chips. Ohhhhhh the chips. 

I usually find it hard to finish chips when I eat out. Not these. These had their skin on and were the crispiest, fluffiest, yummiest chips ever –  the perfect accompaniment to the fish. I am writing this prior to eating my dinner and it is making me sooo hungry.

I couldn't get around the whole table and photograph what everyone ate, but this is what Julie and my sister Emily ordered – the pie of the day which I think was chicken and leek. I love the presentation of the mash. All the food, in fact, was presented beautifully. 

I would love to visit Canteen again. It was the perfect setting for our little family reunion and the food was fresh and delicious. Great for when you want something a little more close to home in a relaxed setting. Have you ever been to Canteen? Where would you go/have you been for a family reunion?