Monmouth Kitchen — Restaurant in London

MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION SAVED THE DAY

We'd gone at the soft launch of this restaurant.

I'd booked using their own website app on Opentable but even so when we arrived at 14:30 we were told the kitchens were closed.

But this only happened when we'd mentioned we'd been given the wrong menu (a dessert one).

I explained that seeing as I'd booked through their webiste, that really shouldn't penalise us. A waitress was dispatched to the kitchen and said if you order very quickly we'll get something to you.

We ordered very quickly.

The first shock was the micro tacos (see photos) we'd taken a pick of each of the sections (my guest being extremely flustered with the rushed choices) and when it arrived, we felt like we should have doubled up on our food orders immediately.

Fortuitously, that was the only thing that came as a minuscule offering. The other dishes being far more reasonably sized.

They seemed to like their spices at this establishment, as do I, but my guest found some of the dishes a little too hot (as nearly everything seemed to come with chillies).

I liked the BBQ Chicken (it was a bit reminiscent of fast food establishments) though it felt out of place on this menu.

The ceviche was good, the Popcorn Chicken again a little too gimmicky but it was the Bruschetta that was the stood out dish for me.

The desserts didn't quite have the right combination yet. But can see that improving as this restaurant beds in.

But by far the reason we'd go back is how concerned the management were, (especially Manav) about the confusion on our arrival.

We said we appreciated it was a soft-launch but we were invited back for cocktails later in the evening a gesture sadly we were unable to take up (as we were heading to the theatre) at the time.

But that alone showed that the team were truly committed and it would be nice to join them for one, when the restaurant was not still under construction as it was when we arrived and the air conditioning working (way to cold but weren't there long enough to be bothered about it).

Let's hope the management commitment leads to a much better experience next time.

But, yes, if you're in Covent Garden, do...

Very salty one-dimensional food reminiscent of fast food but at higher prices. Ambience and service are solidly what lead to the overall two star review. -3 wholly for the food.

We ordered quite a few things and nearly all missed the boat on taste:

Bruschetta - a trio of flatbreads with various toppings (classic tomato and evoo with parmesan, aubergine and cheese and spinach and cheese). Sounded quite risk-free in appeal and flavor combinations but were poorly executed. The bread was very cold on all three. The cheese was once melted and but had re-hardened by the time it was served. This dish came out within 2 mins of ordering which confirms my hypothesis that it was made ahead of time and just sat out until being served. Oh and all three, particularly the spinach one, was exceedingly salty. Tasted like the sea water salty! (2/5)

Avocado and corn salad - the black bean dressing didn’t have any black bean coming through. The salad was grossly overdressed and was soggy. (2/5)

The truffle tortellini - the pasta’s texture was airy and delicate. The downfall of this dish again was the overly salty sauce. Buttery but very salty. This took away from the dish entirely. (3/5)

The chicken anticucho skewers - the meat was tender but had a distinct unpleasant after-taste. The sauce that topped it was very cumin-y. Too much cumin and not much of anything else cut through. I rarely take one bite and leave food as I hate wasting food. But this dish was so bad that it couldn’t guilt me into finishing it. Could not get past the unpleasant smell and taste. (1/5)

The music was very chill and solid vibe check. Good for families, dates, singles. Lots of natural light, chic use of marble and concrete. Assymetrical mobile lighting added to the contemporary decor. No coat check. Ambience and music were both 4/5.

Our waitress was friendly but didn’t ask why we left the chicken dish untouched or didn’t ask for feedback on...

I love soft launches, it means I can eat double the amount as everything is half the price :) You could tell it was very new, the decor is contemporary and modern as you would expect from most restaurants which are part of a hotel. As a wheelchair user, there was a step at the entrance, but staff were more than willing to help if required.  I liked that the menu was on one page so you're not overwhelmed with choices.  The bite size tacos were really good. My only complaint was that there should be more of it!  The lobster and salmon ceviche also good, as well as the melt in the mouth beef tenderloin.  The only dish I didn't like were the mini burgers as they were a bit dry. Our waitress was so sweet and nice, she kept checking up on us without being intrusive. Another member of staff (who I assumed was the manager) later came and spoke to us, giving us recommendations on the dessert, which we went for and they were pretty amazing too, especially the coffee creme brulee. We gave him feedback on which dishes we enjoyed and ones which we didn't.  I liked that they made an effort and it felt more personal. Every member of staff greeted us and was accommodating by making more space for me to get past in my wheelchair.  I appreciate a place which has great service as well as good food.  Portions are a bit on the small side considering the price, so I'm not sure if I would come back again and pay full price unless it was a treat... then again I do treat myself a lot so probably...