A quaint and quiet retreat that’s hidden away from the hustle and bustle of High Street Kensington, Kensington Square Kitchen is a cool, calm and delicious oasis.

The Venue
Kensington Square Kitchen is inspired by the casual dining of Sydney and California, and it certainly shows with its easy, breezy elegance. A lovely nook overlooking the greenery of Kensington Square is decked out in a mint and crisp white colour scheme, fresh flowers and oversized white lampshades. It’s all about minimal style that’s fresh and inviting.

The Atmosphere
Kensington Square Kitchen offers nothing but chilled vibes. It’s uber-relaxed dining that’s got a lazy Sunday feel to it with cool electronic beats playing in the background. The staff are funky and friendly while the patrons are a casual mix of yummy mummies, old and young couples and friends catching up.

The Food
What is usually a breakfast, brunch and lunch cafe, Kensington Square Kitchen opens in the evenings over the summer months (Monday to Friday). The dinner menu changes daily and is packed with lovely, fresh and seasonal nosh that’s a mix between gastro gourmet and wholesome homemade delights. And it all looks great too, stylishly arranged on big white plates without being pretentious.

For starters (£4.30 - £8) the chicken liver pate is wonderfully creamy and moreish – an extremely generous dollop of the stuff served in a ramekin alongside two little triangles of toasted sourdough bread and a zingy green salad. The dish is absolutely gorgeous but why is it that whenever you order pate, they never give you enough bread? Meanwhile, the chilli, corn and feta fritters are underseasoned (where’s the chilli?) but come with an avocado and tomato salsa that’s fresh and fantastic.

Moving onto mains (£9 - £15) and the Aberdeen Angus burger is another winner, all eight ounces of it. It’s juicy and is just the right amount of pink inside, served on a fresh and floury bap with coleslaw and a serving of perfectly crispy skinny fries on the side. If only all burgers were this good. Meanwhile the lamb kofte are divine, packed with smoky flavour and served with refreshing tzatziki, pita bread and salad.

Kensington Square Kitchen really comes into its own with the dessert menu (£2 - £5) with a brilliant selection of homemade puddings that will get any sweet tooth drooling. The chocolate brownie is a heavenly slab of succulent cake that’s got just the right amount of crunch on the outside. Served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the contrasting temperatures all adding to the pleasure factor of this luscious dessert. The white chocolate, strawberry and mascarpone cheesecake is a velvety delight. The base is wonderfully crumbly and the whole dish is sweetened with fresh strawberries drizzled in syrup served on top.

The Drink
There’s a good selection of vinos to choose from (bottles starting at £17) and, according to staff, each one was individually chosen on its own merits. The house red, a Merlot Corvina from Italy’s Veneto region, is light and easy to drink with a hint of cherries. Champers and sparkling wine are also available (starting at £24 a bottle). If you prefer something with a bit more kick, there’s a handful of cocktails (£7.50) including classics like the Cosmopolitan and the Old Cuban.

The Last Word
Kensington Square Kitchen does simple homecooked food and it does it well. If you love the restaurant's breakfast and brunch menu, you’ll certainly enjoy its foray into evening dining over summer.

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