Rum Kitchen

Time Out says

Wed Aug 3 2011

What’s cooking? If ever a bar represented the changing demographics of W11 from the 1950s to present day, here it is. Rum Kitchen takes the spirit of the Caribbean and repackages it for the new residents of Notting Hill. The menu lists dishes like curry mutton and rice ’n’ peas along with slightly awkward patois (‘some our favourites an’ ting’).

A typical west London beach shack, then? Maybe. But what a beach shack it is. The ground-floor restaurant is lined in driftwood-type boards which probably washed up in an architectural salvage yard somewhere off the Westway. A dedicated rum bar is housed in a basement described as ‘hidden’ (which it is, in the sense that all basements are, being underground). Within is a stock of pirate’s piss plentiful enough to keep an armada jolly on grog for a whole campaign. The impressive selection encompasses everything from knock-it-back ration standards to single-estate rarities.

The thought of rum makes me glum. Don’t worry – there’s a rum for everyone, or so the barman said. Let slip your doubts and the knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff will sense a challenge, taking the opportunity to create a concoction based on your tastes. We did, and had a fine time. What more could you ask for?

How about a soundtrack from an unconvincing musical gangster from the ’90s? You’re in luck – DJ Fast of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals plays reggae, calypso and other island rhythms. What are the chances?