Kensington Place

My husband and myself went with our two friends a couple of weeks ago for Saturday lunch. I was a little bit sceptical since you do read very mixed reviews of KP. The meal started of with a delicious selection of bread being offered. My main course were very tasty fishcakes, however one of my friends had the Gazpacho which is amazing. For main course I had the Middle White Pork Palliard with polenta, rocket, oregano and parmesan which was delicious. The sweetcourse - and I normally do not eat a sweet, only cheese - sounded so wonderful I just had to try it: Peanut Butter Parfait, Milk Chocolate Ganache and salted caramel ice cream - believe me, it was totally to die for !!!! Amazing!

Service was attentive the entire time, our glasses were constantly topped up with iced tapwater without us having to ask for it. The bill was reasonable and definitely good value for money. Recommended.
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Claudia
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Having been to KP many times over the years - my friends and I are huge fans of what Henry Vigar, the head chef, is doing. The food is colourful and beautifully presented every time.

I went with a girlfriend for a relaxing Friday dinner. We had a lovely table in the window. Staff were attentive, but not pushy and we found them to be very good and efficient. We asked the manager to choose our wines by the glass to accompany and compliment our dishes. He did this with no trouble at all and his choices were spot on.

The home made bread selection was offered to begin with and there are lots of yummy choices to choose from. We had the gazpacho to start which in all honesty is the best gazpacho I have ever tasted. We also tried the foie gras parfait with cherries and it was smooth and luscious without being too rich. Then I had the salmon with sweetcorn ice cream and I was pleasantly surprised by the hot and cold of it - but it works beautifully. The flavours and colours on this dish are very summery. My friend had the featherblade steak which was cooked to medium rare perfection. For dessert we shared the peanut butter parfait which proved a good choice as we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

We will definately be going back again and again - it is too good to miss and the prices aren't bad either.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

We visited early yesterday evening i.e. 7.30pm, table for 3 without booking. Having heard great things about this restaurant we were expecting a superb experience. First impression was that the decor looked a bit tired. Having ordered our food it took a full 10 minutes for 2 of us to be told that the roast beef sirloin was not available. We found this a little strange so early on in the evening. When a complaint was made to the manager he blamed a lack of communication between kitchen and waiting staff. Now to the food that we did have. The sardine starter was definately 'A' sardine. More like a large whitebait being only about 3" long, very thin and split in half to make it look more substantial. One mouthful and it was gone. Other starters were OK. The pork with polenta was very salty and as it consisted of 3 very thin small round slices, not very satisfying. The osso bucco was OK but the gratin on the rattatouille was almost non existant. Finally the deserts. There is not much you can do wrong with a chocolate tart but the cheese was sweaty and loked as if it had been plated up and left out a while. The best part of the meal was the bread basket. Very nice selection. I do not agree with previous comments about lack lustre waiting staff. Our waitress was courteous and pleasant from the start but extremely embarrased about the situation with the sirloin being off the menu. A dissapointing visit. I will not return and I will not reccomend.
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Edward FULLER
5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Monday, June 22, 2009

This is the second time my partner and I ate at Kensington Place, and I can't wait to return! The set menu offered good selections, I will never forget my broad bean and mint risotto, and the asparagus and egg starter was excellent as well. I thought not to take the dessert, then ate much of my partner's (passion fruit something or other with coconut and mango creams)! The 2 white wines were excellent. All the food was very fresh and well-prepared. Seems to be young and inspired chefs. Only complaint is the young and uninspired staff, a bit too casual (though not in a good way). They should be more proud of the food they're serving!
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 15, 2009