Eat Here: Town House at The Kensington, South KensingtonBy Angelica Malin

Looking for a fantastic meal in South Kensington? Then it’s about time you discovered Town House at The Kensington, one of our favourite spots in London for a romantic, casual evening. Here’s everything you need to know:

Town House at The Kensington Review: The Lowdown

You’ll find Town House in the heart of South Kensington, at the beautiful hotel The Kensington – it’s an all-day dining haven, perfect for everything from casual breakfasts right through to candle-lit dinners. You can’t miss their Afternoon Tea – it’s one of the best in London. The menu here is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients, focusing on amazing quality produce and a small but well-formed wine list which ticks all the boxes. The interiors at Town House are to die for; designed by Alexander Waterworth Interiors, the restaurant’s decor has masses of natural charm and old English Town House feel. We love the combination of modern and traditional design, with beautiful walnut surfaces, patterned fabrics and bold colours – it’s the kind of restaurant you just want to spend all day in. In the evening, the restaurant takes on a new ambience, with roaring fires, a low-lit ambience and more romantic atmosphere, perfect for a date night.

Town House at The Kensington Review: The Food

I am obsessed with this restaurant for dinner. I’ve been for breakfast, and it’s totally lovely, but the evening for me is when Town House really comes into its own. The concept of the menu is flexible eating – you can choose to dine on just small, sharing plates, have more substantial mains or a mix of both. I love sharing food – being able to try little nibbles and bites of everything – so this suits me perfectly. We start with a selection of starter dishes, which are actually very generous in size, unlike most “small plates” in the capital.

Highlights to start are the Buratta with roasted vine cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and crostini, and the beautiful chicory salad with blue cheese, pear and walnuts. I mean, I love Buratta – in fact, I’ve never met a Buratta I didn’t like – but the one here is outstanding. Rich, creamy, oozing cheese goodness, it’s the cheese of my dreams, served with some flavoursome roasted tomatoes and crunchy bread, there can be no finer way to start a meal. The chicory salad is delicious too; light, fresh, an unusual mix of sweet and savoury flavours which just works, and the added crunch of walnuts a great addition.

In fact, the starters are so good, we go for round two. We opt for the aubergine moutabal, a rich, smoky aubergine dip, sprinkled with sweet pomegranate seeds, which is divine, and the seared tuna with soy and ginger, on a bed of rocket. I love the playful approach to flavours at Town House – they seriously know what they are doing in the kitchen, and deftly blend flavours from all around the globe in a way that doesn’t feel tacky or superficial. Their food just… works.

For mains, we enjoy a delicious Dover Sole, grilled simply, served with roasted root vegetables and creamy mash potatoes. You can really taste the quality of the fish, and sometimes, simple really is best. I love the vegetable sides – the root vegetables have been sweetened with a touch of honey and a sprinkle of rosemary, to bring out their earthy flavour. The food is so divine that we can’t fit in a dessert, which, for me, is a world-first.

Town House at The Kensington Review: The Drinks

So often, a restaurant’s cocktails let it down, but not here; drinks certainly aren’t an after-thought at The Kensington. They have their own dedicated bar to serve the restaurant, and the drinks are fantastic. The K Bar is inspired by the sophisticated atmosphere of a gentlemen’s club, with deep oak panelling, royal blue upholstery and low-lighting. Expect cocktails designed to pair well with food – we loved their classic Negroni, and for something fresh, try the Final Letter with gin, green chartreuse, elderflower and lime.

Town House at The Kensington Review: Our Verdict

Town House at The Kensington is just perfect. I would go there time and time again – the food is divine, the atmosphere is romantic without feeling stuffy and the service is on point. If you’re looking for a special spot in the capital, Town House is the answer you’ve been searching for. Just trust me on this one.

For more information and to book a table at Town House, see here.