Sleek decor, tasty food and personable service make Poem a good little spot away from the crowd.

The Venue
Poem is situated on the road between the world-famous Abbey Road Studios and Kilburn High Road. Modern, light and airy with large glass windows and a small veranda, this restaurant has a smart and attractive feel. Inside it's decorated with retro lamps and maroon walls, and there is also a piano for live music on Sunday nights.

The Atmosphere
Maybe it’s the jazz music that softly plays in the background, or the chic, unpretentious decor, but Poem certainly has a charm of its own. Tables are distant enough to allow for intimate conversation and staff are extremely courteous and take very good care of their guests, ensuring that Poem is perfect for a quiet, romantic dinner.

The Food
A solid, if not particularly diverse, menu offers all starters at a fixed price of £6.50 and mains ranging from £10 for vegetarian dishes to £18 for a 6oz fillet steak, though other popular meat cuts are available, as well as beef ribs and a few fish dishes.

All food is made up of fresh, quality ingredients, though starters are a bit on the small side: the ravioli with walnut and sage comes in a tiny portion of just three pasta parcels without any hint of sage, even if the pasta's texture and the accompanying spoonful of nutty sauce are excellent. The spicy sausage with dips and pitta bread starter is a colourful, warming starter where the spiciness of the cured meat is a perfect match for the tzatziki dip.

To follow, meat-based dishes are the house speciality. Steaks are cooked perfectly, they're juicy and tender and are accompanied by either homemade mushroom or béarnaise sauce. While the first is smooth and aromatic, the latter has a strong hint of citrus - a bright acidity that some might find a bit too strong to go with a steak. On the side, frites come in a big wooden bowl and are delicious in their simplicity. Even better are the desserts, all homemade and delightfully presented; the mouth-watering black and white chocolate mousse is definitely not to be missed.

The Drink
The wine list is small but clever; for those who fancy a wine to match their steak, a well structured Tempranillo will do the job nicely for a very reasonable £15.95. Poem also offers a good selection of cocktails that are well executed and reasonably priced.

The Last Word
A cosy neighbourhood restaurant it may be (and slightly overpriced due to its location), but Poem is also sophisticated and modern, with good food and professional service.

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