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Babylon

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7th floor, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, W8 5SA Full details & map

Restaurant: British

Time Out says Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Apr 14 2011

Just as Babylon's hanging gardens were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Kensington's rooftop gardens are among London's most glorious follies. One hundred feet above the high street lurks 1.5 acres of themed parkland, complete with four flamingos and an air fleet of resident ducks, one of whom lands in a stream in full view of our window table. In such a setting, Richard Branson's bright and breezy brasserie doesn't have to go out of its way to pull in the crowds. And nor does it. The greeting was chilly; service was perfunctory and remote; and the food, while perfectly competent, did not deliver the quality or quantity that the steepish prices might suggest. A pressed mosaic of Devon Rose chicken, liver and aubergine terrine was gorgeous to look at, but served fridge-cold with a vapid garlic and parsley dressing, while a nicely simple mixed seafood grill was let down by mushy langoustine. A starter of barbecue asparagus had the flavour of the grill, but just four spears seemed mean, leaving it to a roast fillet of cod with gruyère and parsley crust and flaky ham hock - and the gardens - to save the night.

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Tags: European, British, Families & kids, Outdoor : Dining, Something different, Wow factor, West, Kensington, Expensive, Restaurant

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Special offers

Dinner Offer: 3 courses £28.50

...from a set menu. Includes Vat, excludes service. Available from 9th January.
Offer available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 19:00-22:30
Offer covers Min 1, Max 7 people
Offer valid until Mar 9 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

Lunch offer: 2 courses £20

...from a set lunch menu (three courses for £23) Includes Vat, excludes service. From 9th January.
Offer available Monday to Friday 12:00-14:30
Offer covers Min 1, Max 7 people
Offer valid until Mar 9 2012

Please book this offer through the booking panel below.

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Babylon details

Address

Babylon

7th floor, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street W8 5SA

Transport High Street Kensington tube

Telephone

020 7368 3993

Babylon website

Lunch served noon-2.30pm daily. Dinner served 7-10.30pm Mon-Sat.

Main courses £18.50-£30. Set lunch (Mon-Fri) £20 2 courses, £23 3 courses; (Sat) £21 2 cources, £24 3 courses; (Sun) £26 2 courses, £29 3 courses.

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Local Authority food hygiene score
2 out of 5 stars

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 15, balcony ), Babies and children welcome ( children's menu; entertainer Sun; high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 12 ), Disabled ( lift; toilet ), Entertainment ( musicians dinner Thur )