Richard Smith's new venture, that used to be Catch. We thought we'd try it for lunch yesterday but were very disappointed.
The biggest issue for me was over zealous use of salt - my side salad was totally dripping in dressing and was so salty that I couldn't eat it and my son's children's meal also came with chips that were quite heavily pre-salted. I did tell the manager about the salad but nothing happened (thought I might get a new one?)
When the menu states X&Chips, that is literally what you get on the plate not a hint of a lettuce leaf or a vegetable - what we got looked like a Gilian McKeith "before" plate - everything was brown!!
My other gripe was the service - the floor manager was generally pretty clueless and both he and the waitress had that amazing ability that drives me bonkers in restaurants - to scan the room and yet not notice the customer practically hopping up and down in their chair trying to catch their attention! So the service was pretty slow and it was v difficult to ask for anything, including the bill.
I know it's early days and am sorry to be negative as I am generally a fan of RS's venues - especially Thyme Cafe but think I will be giving Canteen a wide berth for the foreseeable.

Would you say that Canteen is supposed to be similar to Thyme Cafe in ethos, style of food, price, atmosphere, etc?

If not, what are the main differences?

To me it really lacked atmostphere with none of the "buzz" that you get in Thyme cafe, the menu was also much more limited.
To be honest, I thought it probably would be quite similar as Thyme cafe is so popular but it didn't come close.

I am generally a fan of RS's venues - especially Thyme Cafe

Me too and am really sorry that this place doesn't sound too impressive, especially as I was a big fan of Catch. Was there any opportunity for you to give them feedback? (I know they ignored your comment about the salad!)

Well we went the Friday evening of its opening week and the food was on the whole good - wouldn't go for the meatballs mind you - OH couldn't finish them as there wasn't much sauce. Service was also very attentive and although busy we didn't have a problem getting the manager or waiter over.

The only thing lacking - atmosphere. Just isn't that nice - lighting too bright! Bring back the lovely drapped room of many years ago when it was part of the main restaurant still! Or make it more cosy/bar like in nature.

I'd give it another go, but wouldn't go there for a special occasion.

Well we went the Friday evening of its opening week and the food was on the whole good - wouldn't go for the meatballs mind you - OH couldn't finish them as there wasn't much sauce. Service was also very attentive and although busy we didn't have a problem getting the manager or waiter over.

The only thing lacking - atmosphere. Just isn't that nice - lighting too bright! Bring back the lovely drapped room of many years ago when it was part of the main restaurant still! Or make it more cosy/bar like in nature.

I'd give it another go, but wouldn't go there for a special occasion.You will struggle to get atmosphere in converted old upstairs rooms, we found Catch had the same problem as well as a young inexperienced chef.Also what a lot of people who run restuarants do not seem to understand,is that you cannot rely on staff to act as front of house,and when no one in particular seems to be in charge,the atmosphere evaporates and customers feel a little uneasy.Customers like to feel the presence of someone with their finger on the button,on the two occasions we visited Catch this was not happening so we had no further visits........................maybe it's different at the Canteen,but we will await further feedback before risking a visit.

You will struggle to get atmosphere in converted old upstairs bedrooms! we found Catch had the same problem as well as a young inexperienced chef.Also what a lot of people who run restuarants do not seem to understand,is that you cannot rely on staff to act as front of house,and when no one in particular seems to be in charge,the atmosphere evaporates and customers feel a little uneasy.Customers like to feel the presence of someone with their finger on the button,on the two occasions we visited Catch this was not happening so we had no further visits........................maybe it's different at the Canteen,but we will await further feedback before risking a visit.

When was it a bedroom? i think prior to Thyme / Smiths it was also a restaurant and prior to that it was a co-op and a co-op butchers, the upstairs being the stockroom and staff canteen.

When was it a bedroom? i think prior to Thyme / Smiths it was also a restaurant and prior to that it was a co-op and a co-op butchers, the upstairs being the stockroom and staff canteen.Yes I think you are right! I should have said upstairs rooms instead of bedrooms!

Richard Smith's new venture, that used to be Catch. We thought we'd try it for lunch yesterday but were very disappointed.
The biggest issue for me was over zealous use of salt - my side salad was totally dripping in dressing and was so salty that I couldn't eat it and my son's children's meal also came with chips that were quite heavily pre-salted. I did tell the manager about the salad but nothing happened (thought I might get a new one?)
When the menu states X&Chips, that is literally what you get on the plate not a hint of a lettuce leaf or a vegetable - what we got looked like a Gilian McKeith "before" plate - everything was brown!!
My other gripe was the service - the floor manager was generally pretty clueless and both he and the waitress had that amazing ability that drives me bonkers in restaurants - to scan the room and yet not notice the customer practically hopping up and down in their chair trying to catch their attention! So the service was pretty slow and it was v difficult to ask for anything, including the bill.
I know it's early days and am sorry to be negative as I am generally a fan of RS's venues - especially Thyme Cafe but think I will be giving Canteen a wide berth for the foreseeable.Why don't you tell them and give them the opportunity to do something about it which will be better for everyone.

Why don't you tell them and give them the opportunity to do something about it which will be better for everyone.

I think tessashark tried that in the first post and got nowhere!

I think tessashark tried that in the first post and got nowhere!A proper complaint not just a comment about the salad. If they don't take any notice, on their head be it.

A proper complaint not just a comment about the salad. If they don't take any notice, on their head be it.

Sorry but if a customer comments to the manager that they are unhappy with their food, then to me that should be dealt with as a ligitemate complaint and action taken to rectify it. I would not then expect to have to make a further complaint, a decent manager with customer service skills would have dealt with it on the spot and ensure I did not have to take it further

Sorry but if a customer comments to the manager that they are unhappy with their food, then to me that should be dealt with as a ligitemate complaint and action taken to rectify it. I would not then expect to have to make a further complaint, a decent manager with customer service skills would have dealt with it on the spot and ensure I did not have to take it furtherYes but since he didn't take any notice, they should take it further to the owner if they are sufficiently concerned to bother putting it on here and include the complaint about the manager. It's no use complaining to the person you're complaining about.

maby he could not change it or maby you where still eating the sallad, did you ask for a new one??????? Have you ever thought that waiters are people as well???... and if they have not been given enough information about the changes in the place they work it is not their fault at all!!
I just cant believe what I am hearing... becouse canteen has a good service and quality food + it is cheap..I was there on satyrday for a meal, I liked it was nothing wrong with it. and I mean if I would go for a special night out I night consider a restaurant not canteen.... if you would like a propar restaurant atmosphere and prises why dont you go to Artisan it is even in the same building!??

maby he could not change it or maby you where still eating the sallad, did you ask for a new one??????? Have you ever thought that waiters are people as well???... and if they have not been given enough information about the changes in the place they work it is not their fault at all!!
I just cant believe what I am hearing... becouse canteen has a good service and quality food + it is cheap..I was there on satyrday for a meal, I liked it was nothing wrong with it. and I mean if I would go for a special night out I night consider a restaurant not canteen.... if you would like a propar restaurant atmosphere and prises why dont you go to Artisan it is even in the same building!??Surely you should not really have to ask for a new salad! It should be right in the first place!!!!salads can't be "rocket" science but i'ts amazing how few places get it right most would be chefs think that salads are a "toss" off where anything will do.....................also if the"Canteen" is not a restaurant what is it?..................surely not just a canteen!

salads can't be "rocket" science
Some are. ;)

Turned up here tonight at 9pm after finishing work late, and made an assumption we wouldnt need a booking on a Tuesday night. Always loved Catch and wanted to give it a go.

The place was packed, the lovely waiter just about managed to fit us in, and the boards/wine list are just are similar as before with a few obvious changes (ie less fish more meat dishes).

£10 for 2 courses, £12 for 3 courses is the offer.

I ordered ham hock for starters and fishcakes mush peas and chips for main, the OH ordered posh cheese on toast, and fish pie for mains.

Everything from the food, service & bill was brilliant. And ive no doubt that it will be a regular place for us from now on. Since NY we have ate at Jurys (:gag:) Antibos & Los Iguanas (:D) but Canteen (whilst were not sure on the name) is definitely our fave this year.

Everything from the food, service & bill was brilliant. And ive no doubt that it will be a regular place for us from now on. Since NY we have ate at Jurys (:gag:) Antibos & Los Iguanas (:D) but Canteen (whilst were not sure on the name) is definitely our fave this year.Interesting that your post is completely at odds with OP, just goes to show how people have differing perceptions or that these places differ from day to day. Good job people don't all take notice of one negative report although it is possible that The Canteen read this thread, good for them if they did and put it right.

Where did you eat in New York? ;)

Thanks for the review Green. Does anybody know if you have to book or is it turn up on spec like Thyme cafe and hope they have a table.

I need to find time to book in and try it, I will miss catch, but if they have a good selection of fish I will be happy.

Interesting that your post is completely at odds with OP, just goes to show how people have differing perceptions or that these places differ from day to day. Good job people don't all take notice of one negative report although it is possible that The Canteen read this thread, good for them if they did and put it right.


The OP was fairly soon after it opened and it's understandable that somewhere may take a while to get things settled down, although equally understandable that the OP felt disappointed. I've not been yet but am pleased that it's had some more positive reviews and look forward to reading more feedback...

£10 for 2 courses, £12 for 3 courses is the offer.


To me that is excellent value, it's much cheaper than Thyme Cafe ;)

Went on Friday Lunch and was unimpressed.
This after reading Lesley Drapers gushing review in the Telegraph (is she related to Richard Smith?)

Was very busy and had to wait a few mins for a table.
Guy in charge was very nice and on the ball but the younger staff were wandering around like zombies and we got asked by 3 different people if we had ordered drinks/ starters.

Decor is the same as Catch (i.e. feels a bit drafty and , well , like a canteen , not really my cup of tea).
I dont think they changed anything.

At first view the menu seems OK (especially when hungry) but then when you read a bit more everything was a little heavy / hearty.
e.g. yorkshire pud , deep fried fish goujons , posh cheese on toast , beans & black pudding as starters, fish and chips , fishcake & chips , spaghetti & meatballs, rump steak etc as mains.
Not very inspirational.

Complimentary roll to share on the table (not a "loaf" as some reviews have reported) which tasted ever so slightly stale. Rock hard butter.

We both went for an Asian beef salad which was strips of marinated beef on leaves with sesame seeds and a soy type dressing. Was tasty but the beef was a cheap cut (which could have been OK) but had loads of fat untrimmed, as the beef was cold it was a pretty unpleasant sensation and I had to faff cutting off the fatty bits. Should have been more salad leaves too , was quite a tiny portion.

For mains , my wife had meatballs and spaghetti which was OK but no better than something you could create at home and I had fishcake which was admittedly quite nice.

No vegetables / salads even as optional sides and looking round the room nothing came with vegetables at all which seems a bit weird considering the current climate with regards to healthy eating and sure veg doesnt cost a lot?

Didnt bother with puds as fairly full.
Came out smelling of fried food as the open kitchen may look wonderful but makes the place pretty fuggy.
We both wish we had gone to Crosspool chip shop next door.
Might only be £ 10 for 2 courses but even a cheap price can make you feel cheated if doesnt feel like good value.

Contrast this with a wonderful lunch we just had at Piedaniels in Bakewell.
Fresh warm french bread (with butter that spread), great friendly unobtrusive service. Nice decor and tables with tablecloths/ napkins etc.
Pea and ham soup & warm smoked salmon around asparagus to start.
Toad in the hole & salmon roulade as mains (both with vegetables) and then a kind of lemon posset and (the crowning glory) lovely light profiteroles with chantilly cream and hot chocolate sauce for pudding.
Price - £ 10 for 2 courses or £ 12 for three - i.e. exactly same as Canteen.

Far nicer surroundings and the cooking knocked Mr Smiths venture into a cocked hat.

I think someone at the Telegraph is either getting brown envelopes or they havent a clue - or else they need a proper restaurant critic who isnt afraid of actually putting the boot in occasionally.
Funnily enough , Lesley Draper herself reviewed Piedaniels back in Feb 08.
She must have had too many free lunches since and forgot all about it.

Me and my boyfriend turned up on aTuesday evening and there was only one couple in and we got told we could wait and come back however after the waitresses spent 5 mins trying to figure out if we could have a meal in this empty resturant they turnd around and said that they were to busy that night and the resturant was fully booked even tho it was 6.30 and the resturnat was empty was disapointed however im glad because i saw the menu and it didnt look good at all just baasically cafe food so they did us a favour really. I wont be going back.

Me and my boyfriend turned up on aTuesday evening and there was only one couple in and we got told we could wait and come back however after the waitresses spent 5 mins trying to figure out if we could have a meal in this empty resturant they turnd around and said that they were to busy that night and the resturant was fully booked even tho it was 6.30 and the resturnat was empty was disapointed however im glad because i saw the menu and it didnt look good at all just baasically cafe food so they did us a favour really. I wont be going back.

Well if it was only 6.30 might be that there where bookings at 7; 730 etc, becouse 5 and 6 PM is the quietest time, so if you would turn up at 7 or 7 30 that would be packed. Unfurtunetly u need to understand that people who have booked are priorate becouse they have made that little effort and would not be happy if they would need to wait till you finish your meal!

Was just stating my opinion unless your one of the waitreses there.......:rolleyes:

As i said i was glad in the end the menu looked rubbish!

To me that is excellent value, it's much cheaper than Thyme Cafe ;)

Lunch offering at Thyme is broadly similar.

It's disappointing that Catch was closed, it was not perfect but it had something about it. Artisan was a consistent disappointment, a pretty joyless place with cloying staff and far too much emphasis on being "Michelin aspiring," which seemed to manifest as a bloated, pretentious wine list. Be interesting to try Canteen...but it does seem to be very similar to Thyme which has always got the balance of cost/food/service/atmosphere right when I have been.

3 courses in 46 minutes - a bit quick for me. Nice though but more lunch quality, hence price. Won't be rushing back.

I went last night with my girlfriend and really enjoyed it, a lively atmosphere, good food and excellent service, good value too. We booked out table for 7 and we're told they didn't need the table after us so it was well after 9 when we left, will definitely go again...

I am going tomorrow with a friend who's been before and was impressed enough to want to go again which says a lot (he's hard to please!) I will be interested to see how it compares to Catch/Thyme Cafe etc.

Well, I quite enjoyed it. I did not think the choice and quality was anything like as good as Thyme Cafe and not even close to Catch standards, but then what do you expect for £12 for 3 courses?! It was buzzy and busy when we arrived, to the extent that we had to wait 10mins for our table (a little irritating since it was already 9pm, but perfectly bearable). We got 2 'rolls' which I thought were quite nice and certainly didn't taste stale. For starters I had creamed mushrooms, which needed a little more seasoning for my taste but otherwise lovely. My friends had fish goujons and smoked mackerel pate and both thought they were very good.
Our mains were fishcake, pork belly and fish pie. The chips that came with my fishcake were a little overcooked and greasy but otherwise no complaints. My friend's fish pie looked delicious!
Dessert was chocolate pot (x2) and creme brulee. My creme brulee was lovely and the others commented favourably on the chocolate pots.
For the 3 of us and with a bottle of wine too it came to £55 which was certainly excellent value for what we had. I still prefer Thyme Cafe, but would go to Canteen again.

Agree with Medicgir; nothing like the standard of Catch and not the choice of Thyme, but amazing value. £12 for three courses.
The bread to start was fine and not dried out; just enough to nibble whilst ordering.
Posh cheese on toast was tasty and vegetable tagine was good. The portions are small but adequate; small dessert portions, but considering I don't normally have one, it was the perfect size. If you go prepared for what is served, you shouldn't leave disappointed.

Oh, good to see they have kept the juke box too.

Phoned tonight to book a table at Canteen next week to be told it is closing down for a bit and being reincarnated as...Catch!

You will struggle to get atmosphere in converted old upstairs rooms

Milestone at Kelham Island has same problem.

Phoned tonight to book a table at Canteen next week to be told it is closing down for a bit and being reincarnated as...Catch!

They like to move with the times. This particular restaurant is the one they use as for experimenting.

They like to move with the times. This particular restaurant is the one they use as for experimenting.

Well it's hardly experimental is it? Catch was its previous incarnation. I see there was a piece about it in the Telegraph : "Richard Smith promises it will be "a fish market, with a nod to the seaside", serving a mix of great chippy-style food and daily seafood specials - with prices to match"

So Catch is coming back?! Yay, I loved it.

Sounds very enticing. I loved it as Catch before, seafood platter was brilliant.

This time, it sounds a bit more 'down to earth' so hopefully captures a larger market.

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/foodguide/Catch-is-back.6433545.jp

Well it's hardly experimental is it? Catch was its previous incarnation. I see there was a piece about it in the Telegraph : "Richard Smith promises it will be "a fish market, with a nod to the seaside", serving a mix of great chippy-style food and daily seafood specials - with prices to match"

I don't mean experimental as in dabbling with new, adventurous cuisine. After speaking with Mrs Smith herself, I was told that they use this particular restaurant to try out new ideas with the style of restaurant. ie they will change this restaurant on a semi-regular basis in order to keep up with the times, and see what works.

Yes but since he didn't take any notice, they should take it further to the owner if they are sufficiently concerned to bother putting it on here and include the complaint about the manager. It's no use complaining to the person you're complaining about.

I don't agree.

I had a meal out on Sunday at a famous good food pub and wasn't happy with the amount of asparagus that the meal came with, there were no heads and it was chopped up, I asked for more and explained there was 9 pieces of chopped asparagus on my plate to which a waitress brought a pot full but it was only thumbnail sized! I expected a few spears of asparagus!

So when the waitress came and took our plates away and said 'was everything ok?' I said 'no the veg was appauling'. About 5 minutes later a chef came out and gave me his sincere apologies and said that he has been trying to change the veg on the menu but the Manager won't budge and now he has my complaint he can advise the Manager that the menu needs slight revision, he was very nice and polite and said he would take the cost of the meal from our bill!! I gave him my thanks and that I sincerely appreciated him coming over to apologise and that the lamb on the meal was wonderful, my problem was just the veg......

This was the first time I had a problem with meals in the place as we have eaten there a lot and the food is always good, but I have only ever had roasts there.

If he hadn't have come out to talk to me I would have probably boycotted the meals and stuck to the sunday roasts and the place wouldv'e gone on my 'If there is nowhere else list', but because of how good it was handled, I will be going back!

Courtesy, genuine concern and politeness make all the difference!