Latest reviews for Restaurants in West Kensington, London, United Kingdom

The Popeseye Steak House - That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more! by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:05:54 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7610 4578

Tags: family & home feel, british, american

Without exception, the only truly great steak houses that I have ever visited (Luger's, Hawksmoor, Strip House) have made a virtue out of their limited menus. At Luger's, they prefer you don't even ask for a menu, and instead order "steak for four" and hope for the best. Even at Hawksmoor, where, as a rather patronising concession to non-carnivores they offer one fish and one vegetarian dish, the menu is short and direct - beef steaks in three different varieties in two different sizes, alongside lamb and pork. Sides are extra. A proper steakhouse should be all about the steak, and if the item you are ordering costs anything less than Â£20 and sits alongside Chicken Kiev or Crab Tagliatelle on a large menu, be warned.

With this in mind, the menu at Popeseye in Kensington reads like a steak-lover's dream. Three different cuts of meat each served in five different sizes, and that's it. Chips come whether you like them or not, and the only additional side is a Â£3.95 bowl of salad. It is a menu that quite simply has everything going for it, and it was therefore all the more of a crushing disappointment to eventually taste the food.

My Â£18.45 12oz rump steak was first of all cut incredibly strangely - it looked like two huge lobes of liver flattened out to cover the entire plate. Being so thin it was, of course, overcooked, and though not tough the poor quality meat hadn't contained enough fat to create a good char, and instead was just bitter and burned in places. A friend's 8oz rump was thicker and therefore more easily medium-rare but still of the same poor quality, tasteless watery meat. The menu proudly claims the beef is hung for two weeks and is from 100% Aberdeen Angus cattle, but then you can get an Aberdeen Angus steak from Burger King these days and they taste like crap too (in the interests of research, before you say anything). Accompanying chips were bland and insipid, the kind you would get at any high-street pub.

So essentially we have a steakhouse that serves literally nothing but steak, and can't cook steak at all. I can't explain the good press this place has been getting (the door is plastered with the usual Timeout awards) but I can say that for more or less the same price you can get a dictionary-thick slice of 28-aged sirloin that will blow your mind in Hawksmoor at the other end of town, and a beautiful cup of triple-cooked chips that rank with the best in the city. Oh, and their toilets are indoors, which I'm guessing would make them more appealing in February.Without exception, the only truly great steak houses that I have ever visited (Luger's, Hawksmoor, Strip House) have made a virtue out of their limited menus. At Luger's, they prefer you don't even ask for a menu, and instead order "steak for four" and hope for the best. Even at Hawksmoor, where, as a rather patronising concession to non-carnivores they offer one fish and one vegetarian dish, the menu is short and direct - beef steaks in three different varieties in two different sizes, alongside lamb and pork. Sides are extra. A proper steakhouse should be all about the steak, and if the item you are ordering costs anything less than Â£20 and sits alongside Chicken Kiev or Crab Tagliatelle on a large menu, be warned.

With this in mind, the menu at Popeseye in Kensington reads like a steak-lover's dream. Three different cuts of meat each served in five different sizes, and that's it. Chips come whether you like them or not, and the only additional side is a Â£3.95 bowl of salad. It is a menu that quite simply has everything going for it, and it was therefore all the more of a crushing disappointment to eventually taste the food.

My Â£18.45 12oz rump steak was first of all cut incredibly strangely - it looked like two huge lobes of liver flattened out to cover the entire plate. Being so thin it was, of course, overcooked, and though not tough the poor quality meat hadn't contained enough fat to create a good char, and instead was just bitter and burned in places. A friend's 8oz rump was thicker and therefore more easily medium-rare but still of the same poor quality, tasteless watery meat. The menu proudly claims the beef is hung for two weeks and is from 100% Aberdeen Angus cattle, but then you can get an Aberdeen Angus steak from Burger King these days and they taste like crap too (in the interests of research, before you say anything). Accompanying chips were bland and insipid, the kind you would get at any high-street pub.

So essentially we have a steakhouse that serves literally nothing but steak, and can't cook steak at all. I can't explain the good press this place has been getting (the door is plastered with the usual Timeout awards) but I can say that for more or less the same price you can get a dictionary-thick slice of 28-aged sirloin that will blow your mind in Hawksmoor at the other end of town, and a beautiful cup of triple-cooked chips that rank with the best in the city. Oh, and their toilets are indoors, which I'm guessing would make them more appealing in February.

Priory House - by herb

herb — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:09:20 +0000

Review by herb

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7371 3999

Website: http://www.priorybars.com

Tags: romantic, spanish, bar

We can all chat about Spanish food, but the priory is simply the best for tapas in area, having an affordable menu which cost from Â£4, the food has touch of the basc country which is great.

The decor is modern , you feel that you are in a romantic night and your wine will let you stay there for longer.

If your looking for a place to relax and have good wine, this is the place. service was great, and the bread and olives, just right...Iâ¬"m sure the olives have been marinated for some time. I was very happy with the fact that you go to a restaurant for the first time and you donâ¬"t know what to expect...well this is the place to be

We can all chat about Spanish food, but the priory is simply the best for tapas in area, having an affordable menu which cost from Â£4, the food has touch of the basc country which is great.

The decor is modern , you feel that you are in a romantic night and your wine will let you stay there for longer.

If your looking for a place to relax and have good wine, this is the place. service was great, and the bread and olives, just right...Iâ¬"m sure the olives have been marinated for some time. I was very happy with the fact that you go to a restaurant for the first time and you donâ¬"t know what to expect...well this is the place to be

Lily Tandoori - Don't miss this place if you like indian food by molly2

molly2 — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:56:44 +0000

Review by molly2

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7385 1922

Tags: indian, takeaway, tandoori

top place. great boss. always friendly and helpful. nothing too much trouble. food absolutely great.top place. great boss. always friendly and helpful. nothing too much trouble. food absolutely great.

Indian Express - The Menu by clueless

clueless — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:15:50 +0000

Review by clueless

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7610 1777

Tags: indian, delivery, takeaway

I had a long look around the web and could not find a copy of the menu a soooo I have done a scan of the menu â¬¦..enjoy !

http://www.maxmix.co.uk/ie

I had a long look around the web and could not find a copy of the menu a soooo I have done a scan of the menu â¬¦..enjoy !

http://www.maxmix.co.uk/ie

Best Mangal - Good stuff by coldclimate

coldclimate — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:28:00 +0000

Review by coldclimate

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7610 1050

Tags: turkish, good value, lively

Chunks of meal cooked over an open charcoal fire, soft yet flakey breads, and some really good chilli sause, the Best Mangal was worth the 20 minutes on the District Line to visit it. I had a bog standard shish, and it was tops.

Nice to be able to sit in too, rather than the standard collect and run kebab places. This feels more like a restaraunt that a fueling stop for drunken boys. 2 kebabs and a beer, less that 20 quid.Chunks of meal cooked over an open charcoal fire, soft yet flakey breads, and some really good chilli sause, the Best Mangal was worth the 20 minutes on the District Line to visit it. I had a bog standard shish, and it was tops.

Nice to be able to sit in too, rather than the standard collect and run kebab places. This feels more like a restaraunt that a fueling stop for drunken boys. 2 kebabs and a beer, less that 20 quid.

Karma - Good karma... by jezirwin

jezirwin — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:32:08 +0000

Review by jezirwin

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7602 9333

Tags: indian, takeaway, good value

I went here late on a Sunday night with my flatmate, so it was pretty quiet.

It had a nice relaxed atmosphere and our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly. The food was excellent - especially the recommendations that our waiter had made.

I definitely plan to head back there, probably with a larger group and on a busier night.I went here late on a Sunday night with my flatmate, so it was pretty quiet.

It had a nice relaxed atmosphere and our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly. The food was excellent - especially the recommendations that our waiter had made.

I definitely plan to head back there, probably with a larger group and on a busier night.

PizzaExpress - Service second to everyone by cannondalekid

cannondalekid — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:37:21 +0000

Review by cannondalekid

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7602 6677

Website: http://www.pizzaexpress.co.uk

Tags: american, takeaway, pizzeria

As a regular business traveller to the UK and Europe, I sometimes look for comfort food locations to sooth my absence from home. I tried the Pizza Express at Olympia Exhibition Centre in London and I found their pizza quite delicious. I ordered it as take away with no problems at all. I wnet back the next day to do a take away (I was rushing to make a telephone meeting at the time) but I was met with rude and obstinate wait staff and kitchen staff who refused to give my order as take away because someone else had complained about that particular pizza as a takeaway item!

It would not have been such an overwhelmingly negative experience for me except that the waiter started shouting at me and telling me that I would get nowhere if I argued with him! The restaurant manager on duty could do nothing for me and, with only one other customer in the restaurant, I was shocked that there was zero interest in taking my money in exchange for food - something other restaurants in the world do willingly.

In any case, my complaints to the pizza chain have gone unaddressed. Unless you want to have abuse heaped upon you when you go to a restaurant (a la Monty Python) then I strongly recommend you avoid this restaurant.As a regular business traveller to the UK and Europe, I sometimes look for comfort food locations to sooth my absence from home. I tried the Pizza Express at Olympia Exhibition Centre in London and I found their pizza quite delicious. I ordered it as take away with no problems at all. I wnet back the next day to do a take away (I was rushing to make a telephone meeting at the time) but I was met with rude and obstinate wait staff and kitchen staff who refused to give my order as take away because someone else had complained about that particular pizza as a takeaway item!

It would not have been such an overwhelmingly negative experience for me except that the waiter started shouting at me and telling me that I would get nowhere if I argued with him! The restaurant manager on duty could do nothing for me and, with only one other customer in the restaurant, I was shocked that there was zero interest in taking my money in exchange for food - something other restaurants in the world do willingly.

In any case, my complaints to the pizza chain have gone unaddressed. Unless you want to have abuse heaped upon you when you go to a restaurant (a la Monty Python) then I strongly recommend you avoid this restaurant.

Alounak - Iranian Cuisine for less! by MaryamF

MaryamF — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:13:52 +0000

Review by MaryamF

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7371 2350

Website: http://www.alounak.com

Tags: family & home feel, vegetarian dishes, iranian

Small and cosy, freshly baked Iranian bread, juicy and nice kebabs. The nice thing about this Iranian restaurant was that I came across of a lot of people from other countries enjoying Persian food. Very busy and quiet nice....Small and cosy, freshly baked Iranian bread, juicy and nice kebabs. The nice thing about this Iranian restaurant was that I came across of a lot of people from other countries enjoying Persian food. Very busy and quiet nice....

Latymers - Fantastic Thai! by greedoe

greedoe — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:37:53 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8741 2507

Tags: thai, lively, good value

The pub I can take or leave, but the thai restaurant was a God send when I work down the road. A mixed, spicy #19 and a pint of London Pride made Friday afternoons go so much easier.

I wish I knew what the hell I was eating was named (it was fried noodles) because I haven't found similar anywhere yet... and I wish I could.

Great place, cheap lunch at Â£5.50, but really busy if you go at the wrong time.The pub I can take or leave, but the thai restaurant was a God send when I work down the road. A mixed, spicy #19 and a pint of London Pride made Friday afternoons go so much easier.

I wish I knew what the hell I was eating was named (it was fried noodles) because I haven't found similar anywhere yet... and I wish I could.

Great place, cheap lunch at Â£5.50, but really busy if you go at the wrong time.

Cumberland Arms - Not that impressive for the amount of time I spent by greedoe

greedoe — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:32:50 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7371 6806

Website: http://www.thecumberlandarmspub.co.uk

Tags: food, pretentious, trendy

Having worked around the corner, this ended up being our local, and it's not priced as a local. It's quite a pricey gastropub, which could easily make your lunch top out at nearly Â£15.

If you're there for a quick pint and fancy a snack, better bring them along, because the mixed nuts were invariably a bit stale. Not too bad at Â£2 a cup, but you ended up feeling a bit sick after too many.

The grub's ok, you get a little bowl with salt and pepper to sprinkle on your meal, and the menu changes daily according to a blackboard.

It's pretty much gastropub by numbers, with a seating area to the side that made it a bit easier to navigate the inside during warm months.Having worked around the corner, this ended up being our local, and it's not priced as a local. It's quite a pricey gastropub, which could easily make your lunch top out at nearly Â£15.

If you're there for a quick pint and fancy a snack, better bring them along, because the mixed nuts were invariably a bit stale. Not too bad at Â£2 a cup, but you ended up feeling a bit sick after too many.

The grub's ok, you get a little bowl with salt and pepper to sprinkle on your meal, and the menu changes daily according to a blackboard.

It's pretty much gastropub by numbers, with a seating area to the side that made it a bit easier to navigate the inside during warm months.

Rice - Tasty authentic Thai food! by iwantoneofthose

iwantoneofthose — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:47:19 +0000

Review by iwantoneofthose

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7603 1122

Tags: thai, lively, romantic

This is a wonderful Thai restaurant with delicious authentic Thai food. A great place to eat in or take away! The green curry and sticky rice is amazing!! Perfect for a romantic dinner or a meal with friends. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful Thai restaurant with delicious authentic Thai food. A great place to eat in or take away! The green curry and sticky rice is amazing!! Perfect for a romantic dinner or a meal with friends. Highly recommended.

222 Veggie Vegan - Great Food by caffeinehit

caffeinehit — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:15:24 +0000

Review by caffeinehit

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7381 2322

Website: http://www.222veggievegan.com

Tags: vegetarian, friendly, good value

I've walked past 222 for the past few years always wondering what it's like, it never seems to be short of custom whatever day of the week it it.

The place itself has the feeling of eating in someone's front room, the food on the other hand is brilliant. I must admit that I'm not one to really acknowledge food that doesn't have any meat in so it was a pleasant surprise when this amazing Porcini mushroom pasta with cashew sauce arrived - it tasted amazing!

If you ever find yourself in this part of town you should try it out. It's friendly, relaxing and a breath of fresh air.I've walked past 222 for the past few years always wondering what it's like, it never seems to be short of custom whatever day of the week it it.

The place itself has the feeling of eating in someone's front room, the food on the other hand is brilliant. I must admit that I'm not one to really acknowledge food that doesn't have any meat in so it was a pleasant surprise when this amazing Porcini mushroom pasta with cashew sauce arrived - it tasted amazing!

If you ever find yourself in this part of town you should try it out. It's friendly, relaxing and a breath of fresh air.

Ta Krai - Thai Die For Takeaway by inkognitoh

inkognitoh — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:54:25 +0000

Review by inkognitoh

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7386 5375

Tags: thai, lively, friendly staff

Flavoursome, well cooked, well priced Thai food can be eaten in the modest restaurant or taken away to tantalise your taste buds at leisure.

This is a regular stop of mine on the takeaway trail and I have never been disappointed with the food or the service. Combinging traditional spicy flavours at take no prisoner levels although they do accommodate the Western palate upon request.

My favourites would be the perennial fave green chicken curry and the spicy (and I do mean spicy) beef salad. The fish cakes are awesome too and isn't that the best way to judge a Thai restaurant? Flavoursome, well cooked, well priced Thai food can be eaten in the modest restaurant or taken away to tantalise your taste buds at leisure.

This is a regular stop of mine on the takeaway trail and I have never been disappointed with the food or the service. Combinging traditional spicy flavours at take no prisoner levels although they do accommodate the Western palate upon request.

My favourites would be the perennial fave green chicken curry and the spicy (and I do mean spicy) beef salad. The fish cakes are awesome too and isn't that the best way to judge a Thai restaurant?

Hare & Tortoise - by regularjen

regularjen — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:25:29 +0000

Review by regularjen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7603 8887

Website: http://www.hareandtortoise-restaurants.co.uk

Tags: cheap, japanese, lively

Reasonable prices, love the soya beans in the pod (very fun to eat!), and the simple interior is lovely. Definitely need to go again!Reasonable prices, love the soya beans in the pod (very fun to eat!), and the simple interior is lovely. Definitely need to go again!

Daddy's - Daddy's has now closed - sob! by Roya

Roya — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 18:40:00 +0000

Review by Roya

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7602 1211

Tags: good food, family run, friendly

Very sadly this delightful place has closed now, due to the ill health of the chef. But its food lives on in my memories. Yum!

This is a family run, adorable little Persian restaurant. The cutey, older man who cooks used to be head chef of the top restaurant in Iran. You can taste the quality in every bite. Delicious, fresh food, in generous portions. Sometimes there aren't many people there (at other times it's packed), don't let that put you off. Perhaps the locals aren't that adventurous. It's superb value for money too. My family and I go at least once every two weeks. We're experts in Persian cuisine (being Iranian ourselves!) and are yet to find somewhere better. Even my Granny would struggle to compete. Just don't tell her I said that..Very sadly this delightful place has closed now, due to the ill health of the chef. But its food lives on in my memories. Yum!

This is a family run, adorable little Persian restaurant. The cutey, older man who cooks used to be head chef of the top restaurant in Iran. You can taste the quality in every bite. Delicious, fresh food, in generous portions. Sometimes there aren't many people there (at other times it's packed), don't let that put you off. Perhaps the locals aren't that adventurous. It's superb value for money too. My family and I go at least once every two weeks. We're experts in Persian cuisine (being Iranian ourselves!) and are yet to find somewhere better. Even my Granny would struggle to compete. Just don't tell her I said that..

Yas Restaurant - Great Persian place in West London by MikeinLondon

MikeinLondon — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 22:33:55 +0000

Review by MikeinLondon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7603 9148

Website: http://www.yasrestaurant.com

Tags: iranian, romantic, good value

A great Iranian place near the Olympia.
Open Late. Friendly staff. Easy to get a table.A great Iranian place near the Olympia.
Open Late. Friendly staff. Easy to get a table.

Chez Marcelle - by Ladis19

Ladis19 — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:15:51 +0000

Review by Ladis19

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7603 3241

Tags: lebanese, food, friendly

If I want to make a whole thing about going to a Lebanese, I will go to Noura, however, I live 5 minutes' walk from Chez Marcelle and find it a very convenient, pleasant, friendly, homely and delicious place to give in to my Lebanese food cravings.

The style of food is closer to "home cooking" than "pretentious restaurant" which makes it more affordable and tasty than expensive and fancy (Like Fahkreldine). For a quick Bite I would definitely recommend it over somewhere like Maroush which is nothing more than a kebab house, glorified by its prime location and hence its clientelle.
If I want to make a whole thing about going to a Lebanese, I will go to Noura, however, I live 5 minutes' walk from Chez Marcelle and find it a very convenient, pleasant, friendly, homely and delicious place to give in to my Lebanese food cravings.

The style of food is closer to "home cooking" than "pretentious restaurant" which makes it more affordable and tasty than expensive and fancy (Like Fahkreldine). For a quick Bite I would definitely recommend it over somewhere like Maroush which is nothing more than a kebab house, glorified by its prime location and hence its clientelle.