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Situated just outside Norwich’s Chapelfield Shopping Centre, on the site of the former Rowntree Mackintosh’s chocolate factory (hence the name), Mackintosh’s Canteen is a remarkable fusion of contradictions, with a few pleasant surprises thrown in. Just two years old and part of the much-awarded and well-respected Animal Inns family of Norfolk pubs and restaurants, the bi-level eatery describes itself as being a café on the ground floor, complete with a terrace for outside dining, whilst the upstairs is a brasserie.
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On the lovely, warm day we sampled lunch upstairs at Mackintosh’s, plenty of people were enjoying their food outside in the sunshine, with more diners downstairs inside and a sprinkling more on the upstairs level. The whole restaurant is spotless and modern throughout - a striking and stylish combination of geometric lines and urban, almost-industrial design. Glass, leather and wood compliment contemporary lighting to give a practical yet welcoming ambience. The upstairs (accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs via a lift) has a multitude of large windows at one end, offering lovely views out onto Norwich.
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We found the staff friendly and attentive from the outset and the temperature upstairs was nicely cool, despite the rising temperature outside.
The upstairs menu (created by Head Chef James Conway) offers a wealth of delicious options and is a refreshing combination of well-priced favourites such as burgers and chips alongside more ‘fine-dining’ options like Gressingham Duck. With its City-Centre location, this is a canny approach, since it allows all tastes and pockets to be equally catered for. (It also means you can mix and match the ‘simple and tasty’ with the slightly-more-exotic to suit your particular preferences). There are plenty of veggie options and a good mix of meat, fish and foul - another illustration that Mackintosh’s is all about offering the customer choice. |
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To start, I chose the Twice Baked Norfolk Dapple Cheddar Cheese Soufflé (which came with Guacamole and Dressed Leaves) from the Specials menu. My Partner took the Char-Grilled Chicken Satay (also with Guacamole along with Cucumber Salad and Sweet Mongo Chutney) from the ‘regular’ menu.
When they arrived, both dishes looked fabulous - very elegantly presented on the Canteen’s own fork-symbol adorned china. Mine was lovely - tasty and very light. My Partner confirmed that his was also delicious. |
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For our main courses, I chose the Simple Macaroni Cheese (made with Montgomery Cheddar spiced with Paprika and topped with a Chunky Tomato Fondue). A total bargain, I thought, at only £6.95 and I was even more impressed at the great value of this dish when it arrived. Bubbling hot, it was also more than plentiful (I confess I could not finish it all) and the paprika added a nice flavour that definitely distinguished it from ‘plain old macaroni cheese’. The tomato fondue was a nice touch too and offered a cooling zest that worked well with the cheese.
My partner had the Grilled Sea Bass (which came served with crushed New Potatoes, Wilted Spinach and Beurre Blanc). An elegant contrast to my ‘traditional’ dish (and at around double the price), my Partner remarked that his was a lovely mix of flavours. The fish was nice and moist, and the rich, buttery Beurre Blanc sauce and potatoes were very appealing to the taste buds. |
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It might be worth mentioning that, as we awaited our own main courses, we noticed a fair number of other diners taking the home made beef burgers, suggesting they are a popular choice (a fact that is confirmed by the canteen staff). From where I was sitting, they did look pretty good - hearty and wholesome in a foccacia bun next to hand cut chips. Maybe next time…
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Ample macaroni-cheese aside, all our dishes were well proportioned in size, leaving one comfortable, but satisfied. That said, and despite temptation from the gorgeous-sounding choices (for example, Dark Chocolate Nemesis and Banana and Toffee Cheesecake), we decided to opt out of taking desert. Well, a three-course lunch mid-week is perhaps a bit opulent...
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In summary, what can you expect from Mackintosh’s Canteen? Well, while the whole restaurant succeeds in projecting a friendly, accommodating vibe, I would suggest that the upstairs offers a slightly smarter, more formal dining experience. We noted family groups dressed as though marking a celebration and suited business types perhaps enjoying a lunchtime departure from the office or combining a meeting with a spot of lunch. Still definitely not standing on ceremony, the menu and ambience is simply less shades-and-shorts than we noticed downstairs.
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As I mentioned before, the combined offering of fresh, simple dishes alongside more sophisticated flavours (they also offer breakfast, coffees, smoothies, light lunches and salads, as well as being fully licensed for those sometimes-essential post-work tipples) and variety of price-points makes Mackintosh’s Canteen an ideal dining destination no matter what you feel like eating or how much you can afford to spend. From daytime diners to courting couples, families to business people, there is something for everyone, all presented in an informal yet professional package that is bound to make it an enduring favourite in most people’s eyes.
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Mackintosh's Canteen.
Unit 410, Chapelfield Plain, Norwich, NR2 1SZ.
Tel: 01603 305380.
Open Mon-Fri 10am-12Midnight (food served all day downstairs until 10pm; food served upstairs 12Noon-3pm and 5.30pm-10pm), Sat-Sun 9am-12Midnight (food served all day downstairs until 10pm; food served upstairs 12Noon-3pm and 5.30pm-10pm).
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