Harden's survey result
Summary
“I’ve had dinner here at least 20 times over the last 10 years and have never had a bad meal. I’m a fan!” – this smart and “very comfortable” (“slightly dull?”) fixture sits in a side road off Kensington High Street and is very accomplished by the reckoning of neighbourhood venues (and is nowadays in the top-100 most mentioned London restaurants in our annual diners’ poll). Star chef Phil Howard is a partner in its management, and standards are “very good all round”, including the “really creative and delicious” modern European cuisine.
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”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Kitchen W8?
11-13 Abingdon Road, London, W8 6AH
Restaurant details
Kitchen W8 Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Very friendly, professional and engaging. Love the food and drink recommendations. Feels such a comfortable welcoming place to enjoy an amazing experience"
"Traditional French so I was a little hesitant but I really enjoyed it. the food is wonderful and the service excellent and the place is quiet. Set lunch is very good value. "
"The lunch set menu is very good value. The venison was tender and with a delicate jus. Boudin of partridge to start complimenting the game autumnal theme. "
"Consistently good "
"Having fed the mind at the design museum opted for the set lunch. A good selection of options. Freshly prepped dishes that aren’t showing off but letting the ingredients do their stuff! Good range of wines by the glass. Service friendly and helpful, dealing with queries. Surprised at the quietness, Friday lunchtime expected dining room to be humming. "
"Great food and service in very nice surroundings "
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 | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12:15 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12:15 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑8 pm |
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