Harden's survey result
Summary
“Polished cuisine” with a “creative mix of ingredients” – overseen from afar by star chef Phil Howard – elevates this “classic neighbourhood restaurant” off High Street Kensington into something “top class” and one of London’s better-known foodie destinations. If criticism is made, it’s typically that a diner “had heard great things, but was underwhelmed despite finding nothing obviously wrong”. In a similar variable vein, service veers from “very pleasant” to “sometimes chaotic”; and the “well-spaced” dining room is “lovely” to some, too low-key for others.
Summary
“The cuisine’s always delicious, seasonal and inventive” at this smart venue in a sidestreet off Kensington High Street – a “top local” more akin to “West End quality” due to the input of stellar chef Phil Howard (of Elystan Street and formerly the Square), who is a part owner, alongside Rebecca Mascarenhas, who has a long history in running excellent establishments. Not everyone agrees about the low-key interior, though – what is “a little souless” to some folks, is, to others, “lovely”.
Summary
This under-the-radar venture, in a smart row of businesses off Kensington High Street, has supplied “unexpectedly delicious” meals to a well-heeled local crowd for 10 years – although the consistently high marks should be no surprise given that it’s part-owned by star chef Phil Howard (of Elystan Street and formerly The Square). Atmosphere-wise, it’s somewhere between “quietly sophisticated” and “Spartan”.
Summary
This under-the-radar venture, in a smart row of businesses off Kensington High Street, has supplied “unexpectedly delicious” meals to a well-heeled local crowd for 10 years – although the consistently high marks should be no surprise given that it’s part-owned by star chef Phil Howard (of Elystan Street and formerly The Square). Atmosphere-wise, it’s somewhere between “quietly sophisticated” and “Spartan”.
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Restaurant details
Kitchen W8 Restaurant Diner Reviews
"I go to Kitchen W8 regularly - but this time, it was to try their special (annual) truffle recipe in November. Mark Kempson is a master of seasonal dishes, and what he did with these truffles was spellbinding - there were churros with aged Parmesan; a delicious buttery Delica pumpkin pie with uber luxurious truffle mash and some stonking chicken gravy; a truffle cacio e pepe (which won my "best dish" prize); and an ambrosial ('course) rice pud with roasted pear and truffle honey. I've already earmarked November in my 2023 diary to go for this menu again - what a triumphant tribute to the truffle. The Front of House team don't disappoint either - what a phenomenal place."
"Repeat visit for lunch and even better than we remembered. Perhaps now our favourite in London. The lunch menu is very decent value and is not a mean version of the main menu. You can mix it up - just not with the tasting menu of course. Plenty of non- meat options. Service is very attentive and friendly even though there was a big wedding in the main room ( they had warned us when we booked). We were aside and it was not noisy and the service was not impacted by the wedding. "
"The staff here are delightful, so friendly but not familiar. They are truly interested in the food which is outstanding. Apparently people think the decor bland but we like that you can hear well in this restaurant making it a pleasant place to chat."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £34.50 | £39.50 |  |
|
 |
| SundayLunch | £42.50 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 110.00 | Always available | 6 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20.20 | £34.30 | £29.00 | £11.25 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
11-13 Abingdon Road, London, W8 6AH
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
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