The best places for lunch-in-a-rush around the Wharf.

Okay, so you've just come off a call that has run over by half an hour, you've got 20 minutes before your 2 o'clock and in that time you've got to grab lunch, catch up on your emails and take a bathroom break.

So what do you do? Well, first, take that bathroom break. Then rush out and get some eats. Here are my top 5 picks for quick bites in and around the CW offices:

5. Waitrose/M&S

Waitrose, conveniently located close to most of the CW banks, has a good selection of sandwiches- made with thickly sliced bread and honest-to-goodness meat/seafood/salads. I particularly enjoy the sandwiches made with seeded bread, there are some succulent chicken ones and a decent prawn mayo.
There are freshly made baguettes too for those of you who are squeamish about pre-packaged food.
They've also got some wholesome curries and pies on the hot food counter.
Another pro is that there are entrances underground and overground, making it easier to access.
Con? The queues during lunch time are impossible. No matter, you can fire of some quick emails on your BB while you wait in line.

M&S is the other-side-of-the-road equivalent of Waitrose, as far as quick lunches are concerned. The salmon and egg half baguette at M&S is to die for- generously seeded and nutty bread, chock full of egg and salmon. Awesome!

I also liked their festive season sandwiches and rolls. The turkey cranberry sausage roll was interesting and delicious.

4. Pret-A-Manger

We all have that moment when we can't decide what we want for lunch, don't feel particularly picky or hungry, and head invariably towards the nearest Pret (atleast that's what I do). Pret has catered to our need to feel like we are eating healthy while enjoying delicious food. The yummy goodness of the chicken and avocado sandwich, The juicy hot wraps and the deliciously wholesome soups all hit the spot.
Try the halloumi wrap, it has a sauce which is sheer genius. The meatball wrap and the chicken wrap could be more flavourful, but still good.

3. Wasabi
Wasabi is one of those places I dont particularly love but l keep going back to anyway, because the food isn't half bad, and even though the queues can be long, service is fast and efficient. The sushi selections are all kind of similar to each other. I like the salmon california rolls the best, it has a surprisingly large amount of salmon.
The curries aren't bad, but they can get dreary after a while. I recommend the mixed box with chicken teriyaki and spicy chicken.
You can ask for a selection of sauces to be added to your curry to give it a different taste, just ask the friendly servers. I usually go for the chili sauce.

2. Itsu
Itsu is the go-to place for aromatic, colourful hotpots- the chargrilled chicken is done to perfection, succulent and with just the right amount of charred flavour. The classic chicken soup witg glass noodles is a favourite. I would avoid the chicken jaipur, it was a little underwhelming for me.
The sushi is good too, although I prefer Wasabi for sushi for ease of selection and for value for money. The seaweed is very good, with a great oceany taste.

1. Paul
Paul is my favourite pick for a quick bite. The carefully prepared artisan bread is crunchy and soft and beautifully flavoured. The mozzarella sandwich is generously proportioned, and the taste of the cooling, soft cheese is perfectly complemented by the earthy pesto, tangy frest tomatoes and the olive studded foccacia bread. Heavenly!
I also enjoy their croque forestier toastie. The bechamel sauce is creamy but not overbearingly so and the mushrooms are sauteed perfectly .
I also like the mini briochettes for a snack. They are light and fluffy and costs less than 3 pounds for 10, which is a steal.

So there you have it, the CWfoodie's guide to quick lunch at Canary. Thanks for reading and please leave comments below ! Happy munching!#CWfoodie

Kruger and Bene Bene- a mystery for you to solve

Anyone who works in or around Canada Square have probably come across Bene Bene (there's two within a few yards of each other) and Kruger.

Kruger itself, of course, has two sections- the sitting section, where the "fancy" food is served, and the takeaway section where ready made salads, curries, sandwiches etc. are found at reasonable prices. Many a busy professional drops by to pick up a generously proportioned salad or baguette.

Bene Bene offers similar food. Similar is not the right term- similar implies same type of food, like Starbucks and Costa Coffee. No, Bene Bene offers food which looks suspiciously like its a differently packaged version of what Kruger serves.

For example, the chicken/lamb curry at Bene Bene is served hot with pilau rice for £4 a portion in a pot, while the SAME curry is served cold with the SAME rice, in a flat box at Kruger for £3.50. Hmm.
So is that like, yesterday's left over curry from Bene Bene being sold at a discount at Kruger?
Methinks we, the faithful consumers of Bene Bene and Kruger's sensible salads and homey curries, deserve some clarification on how exactly the curry goes from a hot pot in Bene Bene to a cold box at Kruger, losing £0.50 of its value in the process.

An employee at Kruger has confirmed that both Bene Bene and Kruger are owned by the same person.

So, the next time you decide to have lunch at Kruger because you want a change from Bene Bene, I suggest you try Pure Food instead. It's a relatively new one snuggled somewhere between Dorothy Perkins and Costa Coffee along the North Colonade, and serves inventive and delicious stuff. More about that tomorrow.

Thanks for reading! :)

The Canary Wharf foodie