Restaurants

The Terrace sits off Kensington Church Street on a picture-postcard side street that could have come straight out of a Richard Curtis film. It’s popular with plummy locals (most of whom could also have come out of a Richard Curtis film), though was quiet on the midweek night we visited. The interior is neat but small; if you can, get a seat at one of the outdoor tables that gives the restaurant its name. They’re protected from the street by an array of shrubs. Husband-and-wife team Nadene and Maga Ayacouty run the show; she’s the manager, he’s in the kitchen. The menu is short and quite old-fashioned; the execution of all our dishes was competent, but nothing thrilled the taste buds. A starter of seared scallops with asparagus was as it sounds, while a main of monkfish fillet, although nicely cooked, was not enhanced by its inspid trimmings of cauliflower puréé, courgette salad and avocado salsa. The crust of a peach and mango crème brûlée was properly burnt and the interior suitably creamy, but it was hard to detect any fruit. The wine list is short, with not much choice by the glass, and the coffee was weak. Could do better, we say.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009