Lady’s Kitchen W8 Restaurant Review

Today I want to share my Kitchen W8 restaurant review with you. This Michelin-starred neighborhood restaurant off Kensington High Street is one of the London culinary scene’s hidden gems.

Kitchen W8 Restaurant Review

When it comes to dining out in London, locals know the best restaurants are often the best-kept secrets. Kitchen W8 in Kensington is no exception.

Despite being located in central London and having a Michelin star, it seems nobody knows about it. But I’m going to spill the beans because this restaurant can’t be missed.

I first discovered Kitchen W8 restaurant two summers ago when I veered off Kensington High Street by accident. I liked the look of it and made a mental note to go back.

Then London’s 10 million other restaurants jumped the queue, and it wasn’t until Kitchen W8 invited me for a review dinner last night that I made it. I regret not going sooner.

Why? For starters, the starters. Well, first the glass of champagne and amuse bouche of moreish fried salt cod.

Then the starters at Kitchen W8, which in my case consisted of risotto of Jerusalem artichoke with Vacherin Mont d’Or and winter truffle.

The risotto was perfectly cooked, and the cheese added an amazing velvety, buttery component to the dish.

Across the table, my friend dove into a plate of potted venison with beetroot relish and a walnut salad, black pudding Scotch egg, and toasted rye bread.

The venison was so seductively smoky I couldn’t even pretend to argue when he offered me the last bite.

As we worked our way through our starters, a bottle of Au Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir poured its way into our glasses.

It was the perfect California Pinot Noir; rich, elegant, and fruity, it took me from Kitchen W8 to my home terroir on the first swirl.

When it came time for the mains at Kitchen W8 restaurant, I relished my braised beef cheek and its oxtail-and-onion pie, smoked beetroot puree, and crushed carrots and horseradish.

The meat was tender and flavorful, and the beetroot in particular was winter comfort food on a plate.

Across the table my friend enjoyed his rump of veal with thyme gnocchi, peppered swede, chestnuts, sprouts, and salsify with equal enthusiasm.

The starters and mains all being winners, dessert at Kitchen W8 was much anticipated. I went with the warm ginger financier with Medjool date ice cream and whipped white chocolate rice pudding.

The financier was perfectly light and moist, but the ice cream was a bit too sweet for my taste. The bits of date on the plate seemed superfluous, too.

My friend’s roasted hazelnut parfait with salt caramel ice cream, chocolate-soaked brioche, praline, and lime was a dream.

And so was the meal overall. The ambiance in the dining room was light and minimalist, leaving the food to play the starring role that it did.

The service was so flawless that my friend remarked he barely noticed the comings and goings of our plates and glasses.

And the food was divine. So maybe that’s why Kitchen W8 restaurant is a hidden gem hiding in plain sight. Everyone leaves thinking it was a dream.

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