Benugo Bar and Kitchen

If you manage to bagsy a seat here, this place is awesome. People seem to come and go here, so it’s usually possible to get a seat (although the comfy sofas are sought out for the most). Being part of the BFI, it’s quite a cool, buzzing place to be and the décor is pretty cool too.

So this is the bar inside the BFI which doesn’t face the Southbank … that’s a different bar. After having clarified that, let me say its a great place and its also a not. The bar is tucked away to the right of the BFI foyer with some really nice seating. But then it spills out into the two story foyer and at that point its too loud and the seating space is awkward. We were also waiting to be seated in the restaurant and its just not a good space for that.
The restaurant doesn’t look much, as its squeezed in with the bar, but it actually has really great food. All of the plates are rather smallish, but the dishes are amazing … and we decided to share so we could experience all the great food together.

The cocktails are delish, the food pretty good. A little over priced, but a fun, quirky environment.

I was actually quite a fan of this place even if the food wasn’t top notch. It’s a cool location in the BFI and, as one of my friends pointed out, a good spot for a date — fancy lighting, comfy chairs etc.
Service was very friendly but slightly odd at moments — like the server asked if we wanted water than came back to ask about our food choice, seemingly forgetting that we might want something to drink. This probably would have been less of an issue had I not been in dire need of some sugar. Happily, it eventually turned out they stock some of the Fentimans soft drink range so I got a ginger beer!
Great olives, which I’d recommend (we got a second bowl) and a decent charcuterie board (I recently complained about being tired of charcuterie, at which point I realised that I am officially the biggest brat ever). Cheese board was a bit lacking though, it was sliced in thin wedges which didn’t transfer well to crackers and was overall a bit too chilled. The selection was also pretty basic.
They had pumpkin pie for dessert, so I left happy!

This is a great restaurant to while away the lunch hour. They do very good basic British fare with a sometimes fanciful European twist. Good desserts. Good place for spotting the odd British tv celeb of the old school variety. Gets very busy in the evenings. Book ahead!