Kitchen W8 — Restaurant in London

Absolutely exceptional meal at Kitchen W8. The restaurant has recently expanded its lunch menu to Monday evenings and it is quite absurd that such exceptionally crafted food is available at this price point. The three course menu is short and the portions aren't especially large, but you're getting artistry delivered in small bundles.

The Jersey Royal and Wild Garlic Soup was an delightful smack of aromatic wild garlic, which paired perfectly with the pungent, cheek puckering umami of the bacon and cheddar scone. If anything, the flavours were a tiny bit too concentrated; you could easily dial it down a notch and still be exceptional. The broccoli salad, on the other hand, was competently delivered but did not deliver anything like the same brilliance.

Both main dishes were wonderful in their own way, but the common thread between them was how perfectly they combined textures. Both the risotto and the creamed potatoes approached their respective platonic ideal, and you'd be hard pressed to find a more perfectly cooked piece of fowl anywhere. And I've tried. The fish was equally perfectly cooked, and the meaty headline acts in both meals contrasted beautifully with the silky accompaniments.

They delivered on the flavour front too: the poussin was swimming in what I can only imagine was a fairly conventional reduction of chicken stock and some kind of fortified wine (Madeira perhaps?), while the risotto a well balanced combination of vegetables and seafood (though I could be off having had only a small bite to taste). You might think conventional is damning with faint praise; not so! There's nowhere to hide when choosing to do something tried and tested perfectly, and they more than achieved that here.

A final word for the cocktails and dessert. We had a rhubarb daiquiri that was perhaps a hint too sharp and in need of just a splash of syrup or a sweeter cordial (I cannot recall the ingredients), and the dessert was perfectly pleasant but not exceptional.

There was the usual charitable donation of £1 included in the bill (albeit for a limited time period), but unlike many other restaurants, this was highlighted right at the start of the meal though a card on the table and it was made clear that we could opt out if we wished. I'd much rather be asked if I wanted to donate, as I like to decide what charities I want to support, but making it prominent right from the start and indicating it is optional is a...

Review:

Sophistication Meets Simplicity

Stepping into the restaurant, one is immediately struck by its understated elegance. A perfect setting for celebrating our son's 30th birthday, the venue delivered on our expectation of Michelin-quality fare without the hefty price tag.

Service was remarkable. Despite being the sole server tending to the bar and tables, the young lady exhibited professionalism, maintaining a calm and pleasant demeanour. It's a rarity these days to encounter such a commendable work ethic.

The menu variety is worth noting. Between the à la carte, set, and lamb special, our group sampled a bit of everything. My set menu choice of beetroot with walnut pesto was generous and an absolute delight. The pollock, albeit on the smaller side, was well-paired with broccoli, making for a satisfactory meal.

Though I missed out on the chocolate dessert due to time constraints, judging by the overall quality of the dishes, I'm confident it would've been a treat.

The ambience, while mostly positive, had its quirks. The impeccable lighting, especially in a windowless back room, is a photographer's dream. However, the absence of background music rendered an almost reverential silence. While our group isn't boisterous, we relish hearty conversations and spontaneous laughter. This made me wonder if our exuberance was a tad out of place, given the seemingly older and affluent clientele.

A minor hiccup occurred when the air conditioning was turned off upon a patron's request. The resultant stuffiness made the exit to fresh air all the more refreshing.

Lastly, for wine lovers, the 2019 bottle of red wine was a hit with our group. As my husband, a wine connoisseur, pointed out, it was an affordable yet excellent vintage.

In summary, this establishment offers a harmonious blend of class and comfort. While it may cater more to a mature clientele, anyone searching for exquisite food, commendable service, and a serene atmosphere will find it a...

Having been so impressed by Elystan Street, I decided to go to another restaurant owned by Phil Howard.

I liked the interior, especially the drawings of the birds on the branches. It added a really calm and relaxing atmosphere.

My starter was lamb cannelloni, which was very nice. Tender and flavoursome meat was wrapped in well-cooked pasta. The sauce that was served with it was meaty and had the right consistency. The fried crumb gave a good crunch to the dish. However, I thought that the portion was far too small, even for a starter. I thought this was a shame as the actual dish was very delicious.

For my main, I had Iberico pork. The appearance of the meat strongly resembled that of beef or venison and certainly wasn't the typical pinky-white colour you normally get with pork - this interested me a lot. Nevertheless, the meat was incredibly soft and was a real delight to eat. The grains added some chew and absorbed the flavours of the sauces well. But once again, I would have preferred a larger portion. I wasn't too keen on the flavour of the sauce which accompanied the meat.

The dessert was definitely the highlight of the meal. I chose the chocolate pavé with tropical fruit ice cream (I believe it was mango and passion fruit). The pavé was very smooth and the sweetness was just right for me. It was quite light but also had a good level of decadence. The two components of the dish went together very well.

Overall, regrettably, I didn't enjoy my meal here as much as I did at Elystan Street. The food didn't leave me feeling as impressed or satisfied. But there certainly are some dishes that are worth trying so if you're looking for a good meal at a relatively reasonable price, you could consider...