Canton Arms

Great to see the Anchor and Hope team filling a much needed hole in my part of town! Had a good meal on Friday, with accomplished but not faultless hearty grub served in a busy and lively atmosphere with very attentive service.

Unfortunately that famous and much hyped fois gras toastie was sold out by the time we arrived - a good sign you could argue. Starters - potted shrimp and squid with chick pea and aoli. Shrimps were rich and buttery and were complemented well with fragrant and perfectly sharp pickled cucumber, however toast was too thick and 'doughy' for me and the shrimps could have done with being less liquid. Girlfriends squid and chickpeas were the perfect textual match but let down by a strangely stale tasting aoli.

Mains of whole crab with chips and slow cooked pork with fennel and apple sauce, Superb value for money. £10.50 for the crab - less than a starter in some gastro pubs! Lots of meat, good mayo but slightly disappointing chips - not crisp enough. Pork was faultless - soft, tender with perfect crackling.

Puddings - chocolate pot and sponge pudding. Perfect sponge pudding with lovely layer of caramelised syrup hiding under a rich creamy custard, light fluffy sponge. A delight. Good pot.

Coffee - no expresso machine. A shame, but not enough to take the gloss off a cracking evening.
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SFBS
8 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 29, 2010

I really can't believe our luck that food of this quality has landed on our doorstep! Just to make sure we weren't imagining it, we have been twice in a week and the food has been excellent both times.

The first time I had the beetroot and watercress salad to start which was delicious, particularly because it was dressed with horseradish, and then an amazing plate of beef rump with roast potatoes and perfectly cooked greens. My husband had the chicken liver terrine and then roast beef as a main course - similarly of really high quality. We shared both the puddings even though we were thoroughly stuffed - rhubarb and vanilla pot and pistachio cake - and didn't regret it. Small helpings but absolutely spot on and a real treat. Great portuguese wine by the carafe too, as well as portuguese bottled water - which means that they are trying to support and encourage the huge local community of portuguese who can be a bit ghetto-ised in our area. A great touch in my view.

The second time for Saturday lunch I had fine herb omelette and chips - I was expecting an ordinary omelette but it was really quite special. A nice touch was the pear and prosecco cocktail as an aperatif and the beers on tap were interesting and a bit different too. My husband had the Arbroath Smokie which was also absolutely delicious. We had three children with us that time and we were made really welcome - it's a perfect place for a weekend family lunch.

The staff were utterly charming both times, very attentive and very knowledgeable about all the (usually British-sourced) food - all food arrived quickly and was very well presented.

Basically this is exceptional quality food, at very reasonable prices with very little pretention. It's high end restaurant quality dining in a relaxed pub atmosphere.

All round I have nothing but positive things to say about the place and I just feel grateful that someone has seen the potential in the Canton Arms and in South Lambeth generally. Let's support and encourage such an amazing foodie venue.
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Zoidzilla
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 18, 2010

Went to the newly-reopened Canton Arms last night - and was very impressed. It was pretty busy for a Tuesday night, and there was quite a wait for the food (although service was generally very pleasant), but it was excellent when it came. I had pork loin with fennel and olives - which also included a few roasties - a filling & tasty plate of food, although the crackling was a little bit underdone. The chocolate pot for dessert was delicious, although bear in mind the cream on top is runny and not solid (friend had unfortunate spillage incident). On top of that, they serve some interesting ales on tap.

The atmosphere was buzzy and it felt as though everyone in the place was willing it to succeed. I really hope it does. We need more places like this in South Lambeth.

Oh, and the (very tasty) bread is apparently provided by Di Lieto Bakery, which has re-opened just off Brixton Road. More good news for Stockwell.
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Anna - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Thankyou! At last a decent pub with fantastic food in this area. I went with some mates last week and have already been back. Judging from the way it was busy on Tuesday night word is out. The place is laid back and welcoming and it certainely helps that the friendly and competant staff are extremely easy on the eye. I had rabbit casserole with mustard and mash and the best treacle tart ever tasted! all delicious and at a very acceptable price. Nice atmostphere and a good crowd of discerning locals and people prepared to cross the river for food as honest and well executed as this! Fantastic!!!
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alison pass
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Stockwell has been in dire need of a great restaurant... and this place delivers! A group of 4 of us went there on Saturday night and it was lovely. The service is brilliant, the wine is great value and the food is delicious.

I cant wait to go there every sunday and have my sunday lunch there!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Love this place - so glad its opened up in the area as it needed something like this - not a snooker table or dart board in site!! BLISS! Love the food - fois gras and haggis toasties and ham sarnies for £1.40 - this is how it should be. Well well worth a visit - good food, chilled surroundings, buzzy at the weekend - I'm in love!!!
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stockwellgirl
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Really suprised by this place! Warm friendly pub with small menu but delicious food. Dont know much about the beer but they make a great bloody mary!

I'm local and have eaten there twice since they opened. The foie gras toastie is insane! and the fish pie was amazing. oh wait i think i went 3 times as i had the roast beef on the sunday. yeah hot barman and reasonable and nice winelist... good combination! how could i forget...mmm see y'all there this sunday x
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nova
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

What a lovely surprise! A really decent restaurant in Stockwell! With good beer as well.

The house wine was decent, beer was good too and the food excellent. We shared the charceuterie plate for starters and it easily dealt with 3 of us. And fois gras was included as well as a great rabbit rillette. nice pate too.

mains were terrfic. My fellow diners decided to test the Canton by ordreing food they were not particularly keen on. Both of them agreed that they enjoyed the meals and would order the same again. Well done Canton!

Pudding was chocolate pot which looked like a small glass of guinness - good fun and very tasty!

looking forward to going again, keep up the good work folks!
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Shehnaz Tharia
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 04, 2010