Giraffe’s Kensington branch mixes the high street with the high end.

The Venue
This branch of Giraffe sits in a shopping street where high street chains sit cheek-by-jowl with upmarket boutiques, high end nightclubs and expensive bars. The venue is composed of one long room which opens out into a larger room at the end and with a bar along the wall in the middle with booths opposite. In true Giraffe branding, the colours are orange, beiges and browns. Breakfasts and brunches are a strong point here with the place filling up at the weekend with family outings and with friends meeting over a plate of waffles, a bowl of fruit or a full English.

The Atmosphere
With the speakers at the front of the restaurant perhaps the best place to sit is in the middle or at the back. The ambience is upbeat and amiable and it’s well lit with its whicker-basket lampshades—the wooden floorboards and dark wood tables impart warmth. The clientele is a mainstream mix of friends, lovers, families and birthday party revelers. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious.

The Food
For starters the hummus is very good—creamy, but with just the right amount of garlic and lemon tang and with toasted pine nuts sprinkled liberally over the top. It arrives with triangles of grilled pitta bread and sticks of crunchy vegetables. Other starters include mezze platters, Bang Bang chicken salad and deep-fried prawns with a lime chilli dipping sauce.

For mains, the chicken in the Thai green curry is grilled, which departs from the norm but doesn’t detract too much from the dish, although the rice is brown rather than the typically Thai sticky white kind. The Caesar salad is excellent with its tender chicken bites, crispy croutons and creamy sauce. The dessert menu lets the side down a little with its rather predictable choices of chocolate brownies, apple crumbles and ice creams, although for a sweet tooth — or a growing child — they are heaven.

The Drink
There are mainly New World wines on offer, plus smoothies, cocktails and hot drinks. But beer drinkers are in for a treat with Brooklyn, a excellent bottled lager brewed in the New York borough using the (typically British) dry-hopping technique. It has an amber colour, a smooth taste; it isn’t too gassy and has a lovely caramel finish. All in all it’s a bit of a find.

The Last Word
Warm and welcoming, Giraffe is relaxed and popular with a mixed crowd. And it’s particularly good for Saturday shoppers and families in search of a filling snack.

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