It's also home to one of our favourite lounge-bars in London. Benugo, started in 1998, holds the same values as RoF; great products and service provided with intelligent simplicity. It's no wonder that their stores and concessions have spread faster than the speed of annoyance at a Vuvuzela.
The indelible stain legacy left by the 2010 World Cup
Ensconced in London's South Bank is the centre of modern culture in England with the imperious BFI and plans for a new National Film Centre. It's also home to a host of great bars and restaurants vying for your hard earned bucks. Our favourite amongst them is in the heart of the British Film Institute itself.
Benugo Bar & Kitchen at the BFI is a delight. Really it is. Sofas stretching out as far as the eye can see, resplendent tables for dinner and American style booths with a well stocked bar in the middle. This must be the perfect date venue; low level lighting, soft chairs and an unhealthy range of drinks to choose from including semi-exotic beers and wine.
In fact, the chairs, the stylish interior and buzz make this a centre of lounge excellence. There are few things that could make this experience better, but then again the tasty bar snacks (especially the pint of sausage rolls) would suggest that things can (and do) get even better.
The bar is normally busy in this busy part of town, not rammed but there is always that pleasant buzz of people enjoying themselves before they slink off to watch the latest offering at the BFI or Imax. A good backdrop, therefore, to enjoy your cold beer and steaming hot sausage rolls. Perfection: Full fat snacks and a soft sofa in which to recline.