Penks

Penks is a bijou oasis of calm nestled among the trendy shops and delis of Salusbury Road in Queen's Park. The ambience is romantic and unpretentious and reminds me of a quiet white table-clothed Parisian bistro I used to go to.

The staff are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and the food is great. The soup changes daily and is never disappointing - always fresh and interesting. The melt-in-your-mouth scallops with pea and mint puree are a delight and the terrine is crumbly and rustic. The main courses are delicious - the quality of meat and fish used is excellent and, perfectly combined with the accompaniments, Penks have created extremely tasty dishes of just the right size at just the right price. The deserts are freshly made and are perfect (the chef even made proper fresh vanilla custard for me last week when it was off the menu, yummy.)

The wine selection is international, of quality and affordable. They even have several half-bottles if you want more than a glass, but less than a bottle - (I wish other restaurants would have half-bottles).

Oh, and they also do an awesome Sunday lunch... and great breakfasts (the egg's florentine is a particular favourite). So, if you want delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere, head on down to Penks.
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Rupert Degas
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 28, 2008

Nice but small dining toom. Good and friendly service. Starters were good: nicely cooked (not overcooked) scallops on a pea puree were deliceous, i had halibut which was also good. Accompaniements were good including battered [tempura] courgettes which were very well done and came hot and crispy. Wine list was limited and a little pricey perhaps, we had a nice meursault and a Gevrey Chambertin, so perhaps we should be less extravagant next time. I would definitely go again; a great local restaurant. I might grumble would be the place, a pretty grotty small loo out the back, but i won't...
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 25, 2008

went to this restauraunt, its good if you want a cheap, light meal. Otherwise bit overrated, small and I found that the food wasn't that great.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 21, 2008

I've been going to Penks for over 5 years now and have always had great food, friendly service. So reliable that I shall keep going. Just wish they would open one in Willesden Green.

To those who have written the negagtive reviews - can't imagine you went to the right restaurant.
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A Bryan
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 12, 2008

We've been going to Penks for about 4 years now.

Very good food, and a hospitable atmosphere. The restaurant is not really set up to cater for kids, but we have always found the owner/staff to be child-friendly.

We recommend it.
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James O''Connell
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 06, 2008

Penks is a great restaurant. The menu is varied and interesting and the food is always well prepared. The staff are attentive and welcoming and my wife and I have been regulars since it opened. We keep coming back because it is so consistently excellent, and we are not short of good other restaurants in the area to choose from.

The negative review below from the large group who didn't enjoy their visit should be discounted. It's not a fair impression of the restaurant, as the comments from other users clearly show.

Penks does a superb job of creating a welcoming restaurant with great food in a small intimate space. Not an easy trick to pull off. I've had duller menus, worse food and poorer service in larger and more expensive places.
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Giles Clark
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 10, 2007

I went here recently for my birthday with some friends. Food was excellent, service was fine and not in your face. As long as someone isn't out and out rude to me, what do people really want from waiting staff? Their food. On time. Hot. For a small local restaurant, Penks is perfect.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

i have been travelling from south london to penks restaurant for five years i cant understand the bad reviews i think the food and service is excellent iknow places can have an off night but i have always found the food imaginitave and well cooked and the staff friendly and efficient o
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lilly
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 11, 2007

Due to a lack of choice I took some clients here a month ago. The food was really quite poor (I had to leave most of my chewy, fatty steak)and I can only assume that clients frequent due to a lack of any decent alternatives. A real shame.
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Veronique
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, November 23, 2006

I have been a regular at Penk's since it opened 8 years ago! I am shocked to read the negative reviews listed here! Frankly it's like hearing someone slag off an old friend. I have only ever experienced fantastic food, charming service. As for the owner, he has always been a fabulous host. Very unfair, more a reflection on the people who wrote this review than the restaurant! We love it!
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joanna
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 13, 2006