The Kiwi Kitchen

andrewl

Great 4th July 2008

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Cocktails and antipodean-sized filling food

DanWilkinson

All the better for a new venue... 21st July 2007

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**Edit**

The below review was of the original Ealing branch, and since the move to Fulham I've been encouraged to try it again, which I did recently. All the cocktail comments I wholeheartedly take back, following a series of world-class Old-Fashioneds made by the clearly talented and dedicated barman. All his other creations were similarly beautifully crafted, too.

On the food front, it's still a bit of a trip through the weird and (occasionally) wonderful, but in general the standards were much higher than previously, and the environment a damn better than the student union bar-type ambience of the previous location. To be honest, I'd happily return, if only for some more of those superb cocktails.


On the recommendation of some Kiwi friends, the missus (who's from that part of the word) and I went here a little while ago. Maybe it's because it was talked up so much, but we really didn't rate it.

First off, my pre-dinner martini arrived in a stubby little glass, warm, swimming in vermouth (despite being promised 'very dry') and involving three shriveled green olives with black spots all over them. Not great for a bar that advertises 'cocktails'.

The 'restaurant' itself was a bit confusing. Given the prices and the reputation, I didn't expect to be seated more or less in the bar at a sort of cafe table, and handed a fairly tatty menu. But there you go, maybe my standards are too high.

On to the food, and to be honest I really don't like writing bad reviews but this was some of the worst food I've ever been served, and had we not been with some very lovely friends at the time I would have walked out there and then. Where do I start? Overcooked, over-seasoned, overcomplicated? Unadvertised surprise ingredients such as liquorice? Poor quality basic materials? It all smacked more of the sort of experimental cooking you do as a student when you're limited to whatever's in the cupboard, not to a �50 a head dinner in London.

I don't want to go on here as even writing about it's getting me in a bad mood, so the final word is: whatever anyone tells you, however much they plead with you, don't go here. You will be not only disappointed, you'll be directly offended. If you want to try out some cuisine that doesn't sully New Zealand's good reputation, try Providores, a genuinely world-class restaurant that does them Kiwis proud.

sue at 23/07/07

Hmmm....sounds like things have gone down hill since I ate there!

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sue

Best New Zealand Restaurant in London?! 29th March 2007

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Feeling like a tasty lunch one day, we headed to what is lauded to be the best New Zealand restaurant in London - ok, it is probably the only New Zealand restaurant in London! Called the Kiwi Kitchen, it is housed within Baroque, a modern looking bar in Ealing.

The chef is from NZ and some of the produce used in the meals is flown over especially for the restaurant. It seemed like all of the staff were Kiwi's as well....as were many of the clientele - except for a few of us Aussies!

The interior is quite welcoming, and if was nice and bright when we stopped in for lunch. The service was ok, but no very attentive.

To eat, hubby tried "Matt's World famous in New Zealand Kiwi lamb burger with beetroot & pineapple served with tomato relish & hand cut chips" which was declared delicious. I had the Open Crostini with bacon, tomato & avocado, and a serve of the hand cut Kumara chips. The food was really tasty, especially the kumara (sweet potato) chips!