My grandparents are currently visiting London for a couple of days so I’ve asked them to come to breakfast tomorrow morning. After having earlier furiously run up and down Sainsbury’s bread aisle in the vain hope of finding something that vaguely resembles bread or a bread rolls for tomorrow’s breakfast, I eventually conceded defeat and opted for the only other feasible alternative: I’ve decided to bake myself. I’m currently in the process then, of making Cinnamon Buns. It is now one o’clock in the morning, I’ve been ‘baking’ for an hour and have not even made it half way through the rather time-consuming procedure yet. Indeed, perhaps I should have read the recipe first, or perhaps I should have simply employed common sense, but little did I expect to be confronted not only with one wait of 90 minutes for the dough to prove, but indeed a second one of 45 mins shortly after. I am currently sitting through my first wait which means these things won’t be ready till four o’clock at the earliest which, however, leaves me with plenty of time to give you a quick review of the Founders Arms on London’s Southbank.
(The view from our table)
After having spent a chilly but sunny day walking along the Thames, popping into the Tate, having cream tea, wandering over to the Shard and casually flaunting my now expert knowledge of the nearby Globe and Rose theatres to the grandparents, Inga and I were taken to dinner at the Founders Arms. Situated somewhere between Blackfriars Bridge and the Tate Modern with plenty of outdoor seating and an excellent view of St Paul’s and the river, the Founders Arms is unavoidably busy and getting a table in between six and nine o’clock at the weekend can be difficult. However, not to bother if you happen to be German, possess excellent elbow-skills and altogether lack any sense of common decency or British decorum.
The price is affordable (especially when you’re not paying) with the cost of a main meal reaching from £11 to £18. The somewhat compact menu largely features burgers, steak, pasta and fish and chips style meals. Nevertheless, for what it is, the food seems to be made with care, the portion sizes are good, there’s something for vegetarians and the rather well-fried chips are delicious. Whilst I began with good intentions and ordered yesterday’s special, Swordfish on Caesar Salad, I was unfortunately so overcome by food envy when my fellows’s fish and chips arrived that I had to add a portion of chips and garlic mayo myself. No regrets there! With its sundry pots of rosemary strewn over the terrace and lots of colourful, oddly matched chairs cluttered around little wooden tables the Founders Arms has a warm, cosy atmosphere to it. The place feels distinctly pub-like – perhaps not least of all because it is a pub. Should you ever find yourself on the Southbank and in search of somewhere to eat then I recommend this place, especially since other than the fabulous Swan situated only a little further east down the river, it appears to be one of the few eateries on this stretch that can still claim not to be owned by a chain…
(An Extra of Chips and Garlic Mayo costs £3.50)
365 Days of Food 