Review: The Kensington Quarter
Style Points: 3/5
Price: ££
Overall: 3/5
The Kensington Quarter is the fifth and latest edition to the Quarter Group, located in Hotel Indigo in Earl's Court.
The restaurant is a large modern space with of different spaces and seating tucked away around corners. There is a feel of 1950s diner/deli about the space and the combination of table seating, bar stool and even comfy sofas to relax on make The Kensington Quarter an ideal location for a variety of meals.
One of the aims of the restaurant is to give diners and local as special place to eat, work or chill out in and this is exactly what they have achieved.
Would I Want Seconds?
The menu at Kensington Quarter is inspired by delicious, simple and healthy food delivered through an eclectic menu with a Mediterranean influence.
The menu is a modern mix of seasonal comfort food, including healthy breakfasts, sandwiches and wraps, sharing platters, hearty salads, pastas and risottos. In addition to the meals, a delicious selection of freshly baked pastries, cakes and bread as well as freshly squeezed juices and smoothies is also available, as well as indulgent afternoon teas.
Kensignton Quarter really seems to have something for every occasion and I decided to try out their lunch menu. For starters we ordered the crispy calamari to share which came with chilli and spring onion, tabouleh and harris aioli which were delicious. The calamari was well cooked and served hot and crispy just as it should be.
After the perfect starter I opted for the butternut squash risotto served with wild rocket and shaved parmesan. This was a hard choice to make as there was such as variety of options in the menu which ranged from fish and chips to 21 days dry-aged Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak. My risotto was flavoursome, colourful and served in a good portion, but it was dessert that stole the show.
On the waitress’ recommendation I ordered the Chocolate delice with blueberry and pistachio crème patissière and my dining companion tried the Valrhona chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream. They arrived presented beautifully and tasted wonderfully rich and more-ish– this is why dessert has always been my favourite course!
Crispy Calamari
Butternut Squash Risotto
Grilled Dover Sole
Chocolate delice with blueberry and pistachio crème patissière
Valrhona chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream
Desserts!
Could I Afford Seconds?
The menu is slightly on the high end but reflect the quality of the food and venue, however some of the larger meat based dishes are quite pricey.
Starter such as hand-picked Cornish crab salad and oven baked goats cheese tart cost just under £10. The dishes in the Risotto and home-made Pasta section are approximately £13 and the main courses are an average of £20 with exceptions such as the grilled Dover sole at £32.
Overall:
The Quarter stands for friendliness and the staff certainly deliver on this. Each staff member greeted us warmly and were consistently accommodating. The venue itself lends itself to the relaxed friendly service as it is elegantly designed without feeling overwhelming at all due to the manner in which it is sectioned out.
The menu seems to have a focus on fish as many dishes seem to have some sort of seafood element. However there are enough alternative options for those who have different tastes.
I had a good dining experience here and as it is a new opening it can only get better.
Website: kensingtonquarter.com
Address: 34-44 Barkston Gardens, Kensington, London, SW5 0EW
Closest Tube Station: Earl’s Court
