Kensington Wine Rooms

Restaurants

Bars

Kensington

Mid-range

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Wed Oct 17 2012

KWR is thoroughly modern in using dispensers to keep wine fresh for longer, so allowing single glasses to be served and thus facilitating experimentation. In contrast, its handsome, light-filled premises retain a comfort and clubbability that refer back to wine trade tradition. Usually busy, the venue seems to have become an unofficial clubhouse for a fairly smart Notting Hill crowd who drop by for everything from an aperitif and tapa to an evening blowout.

The full house on our previous visit suggested that the below-par food and patchy service were a temporary faltering, as the management later contacted us to explain. This time, with new head chef Patrick Strauss and a clued-up maître d’, the restaurant had rediscovered its high standards. A prawn and chorizo pot (also on the tapas-like bar menu) was stuffed with flavour, and foie gras was paired successfully with pineapple chutney. Main courses of pork belly in mustard and tarragon sauce, and sea bass with a chorizo crust, were excellent, the former served on a broth of early-season vegetables of distinct and delicate flavour, and the latter working well with the suggested Neudorf (New Zealand) pinot noir.

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Address:
Kensington Wine Rooms 127-129 Kensington Church Street
London
W8 7LP

Venue phone:
020 7727 8142
Venue website:
www.greatwinesbytheglass.com
Opening hours:
Open noon-midnight, meals served noon-10.45pm daily
Transport:
Tube: Notting Hill Gate tube
Price:
Main courses £13-£24. House wine £19 bottle, £3.40 glass
Map
1. Kensington Wine Rooms
  - 127-129 Kensington Church Street
    London
    W8 7LP
  - 020 7727 8142
  - www.greatwinesbytheglass.com
  - 51.507329,-0.195034

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Comments & ratings

(4 ratings)

I liked this. The wine, tapas and feel of the place was perfect for the informal relaxed evening I was after. Loved the natural wines they've got going - not too many places around this part of town that have a range like this. Definitely be back...

Dave Mon Apr 1
Rated as: 5/5
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A fab opportunity to try some really exciting, different wines. Loads of classics to choose from too! For dinner I had the (very fresh!) Maldon Oysters and shared a Cote de Boeuf for main course. The tender steak comes highly recommended with green beans, sauteed potatoes and the best bearnaise sauce in London.

Roberto Mon Feb 4
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The wine here is the main attraction and the list is really excellent. With over 50 wines by the glass that are constantly rotating and available to try from their Enomatic dispensing machines - there's always things to get excited about! There natural wines section is a breath of fresh air, though its not at the expense of more classic styles. The guys on the floor are normally really happy to spend some time to explain styles and give suggestions, which helps because the wine selections can get a little esoteric (to say the least!). Food is great too. I normally go with their sharing plates in the bar but the Dinner menu is satisfying too.

Jeremy Saunders Mon Feb 4
Rated as: 5/5
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What a great place, esp if like us you like wine! There's a fantastic selection of wines by the glass, on top of a well thought out main list wittily grouped around grape themes. The food is pretty good too, well matched to the wines with a good selection of small plates if you're mainly watering rather than grazing. Top foie gras and spanish iberico ham, lovely chic fondant...We moved to the area 6 month sago and this is definitely our local.

Oliver Lorenz Thu Dec 6 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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This loud, overcrowded bar leading to a cramped dining 'room' with unfriendly, gruff staff and bland overpriced food and wine, fails to impress on all levels. Though we were seated quickly, 15 minutes passed before a grumpy waiter impatiently took our order. Our drink orders were brought to the table 10 minutes apart, and our meals came considerably later. My fish entree -Cod with broad beans- was not only tasteless, but was also brought to the table cold and was sent back. The fillet steak my friend ordered was also nothing special. Currently this place has nothing to offer for us to consider returning.

Notting Hill Local Sat Oct 27 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Although the review was posted on 19 October, we noticed that it mentioned a menu item that's not been listed since the second week of June. In fact, the dishes listed suggest that the reviewers visited on Monday 15 June, over 4 months ago, which makes it rather outdated. The management was well aware that there was a problem with the kitchen, and the Head Chef has since been replaced by Patrick Strauss, formerly Head Chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant L'Ermitage in Clarens, Switzerland. I'm sure you would notice the difference.

Thor Tue Oct 25 2011
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