Tag: Kensington

London: Restaurant Ours

Published on by HannaLeave a comment

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One Friday night before it got cold out, I met up with Rowena after work for a drink at the bar at Restaurant Ours. We found some nice comfy bar chairs and just as we had ordered a glass of champagne each (to celebrate we survived the week!), the bartender asked if we wanted to eat and if so, he could find us a table. Sure, we thought, why not?!

We didn’t actually get a table, but the last two seats at the bar in the restaurant (not to be confused with the bar upstairs where we had drinks). We quickly decided we both wanted the lobster spaghetti (yum!) but to have starters as well.

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Ro had the excellent crab and apple starter, served IN an apple. It was a bit tricky to eat from but it’s a nice idea.

I had the steak tartare and enjoyed every single bite. It was almost as good as the one at Social Eating House, which is very high praise.

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After the starters we had a plate each of the creamy and delicious lobster spaghetti. Very enjoyable but I would have liked to see a bit more lobster meat.

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To finish off the meal we shared a bag of these light and fluffy salted caramel doughnuts. So good!

I really liked this place. The food is nice, the ambiance is great and so is the people watching. The service was good on the whole, although a little confused at times. Definitely a place to go on a buzzing Friday.

Restaurant Ours, 264 Brompton Rd, London SW3 2AS

Dinner at Clarke’s, Kensington

Published on by HannaLeave a comment

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After a cultural afternoon at Kensington Palace our little trio (Laura, myself and birthday girl Gaby) went out for dinner at Clarke’s in Kensington, a restaurant very special to Gaby as she need to come here often with her parents when she was a little girl.

I really liked Clarke’s with its fresh produce and fuss free approach to food. Everything we had was delicious and very well prepared.

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Gaby chose the warm goat’s cheese with crispy crumbs on top, lettuce, chopped nuts and soft apricots to balance the flavour. Delicious!

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Laura had the smoked salmon with pheasant egg, lettuce and sour cream. It looked great and was very fresh. c8

I chose the San Daniele ham with figs and although this dish requires no cooking, the ingredients were exceptional. The figs were lovely and sweet, a far cry from what the supermarkets have to offer and the ham was delicious too.

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Both Gaby and I had the beef tonnato; thinly sliced rare roast beef with the famous anchovy dressing and capers served with crispy chips and some lamb’s lettuce. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish and thought it was a great way to serve beef in the summer.

Laura had the duck leg which was melt-in-the-mouth fantastic and served with cabbage and cherries.

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Although full we still ordered starters. Gaby’s deconstruced cannoli with noozy ricotta and strawberries was delightful and Laura got the most amazing cheese plate with oat cakes.

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I went for the lightest of the puddings, a summer fruit jelly with cream on top and delicate cat’s tongue biscuits (and a piece of chocolate cake and a candle because Gaby told the kitchen it was my birthday and not hers. Luckily no one sang!).

I simply adore this place and can’t wait to go back after the big refurbishment. The restaurant will be closed for five weeks altogether, opening again in the beginning of September.

Clarke’s, 122 & 124 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4BH