Kitchen W8 is Phillip Howards restaurant in Kensington, it was recently awarded a Michelin star.
Phillip Howard is Nigel Platts-Martins partner at The Square, so my expectations were high.
I have to admit it did not have the WOW factor of The Ledbury or The Square or even Chez Bruce, but it was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday lunch time. The set Sunday lunch at £25 a head is not particularly adventurous, but what they do, they do well. My Whitebait starter had maybe a bit too much batter for some tastes, but was fresh, tasty and not in the least bit greasy. The potted pork rillette was a bit ordinary but fine for a set lunch. The mains were well received. The mash served with my well cooked haddock was particularly good.
The Bitter chocolate pudding matched with PX sherry was a triumph (I should have photographed the empty plates!)
All in all, it was a perfectly pleasant way to spend a Sunday lunch time.
They were also pushing an excellent BYOB deal (no corkage fee on a Sunday evening), something that I do hope more and more fine dining restaurants take up, see Guardian article covering this trend.
Marks out of 10
Food 6
Service 6.3
Ambience 6
