A cute little bistro in the heart of Kilburn that's perfect for a tete-a-tete on a budget.
The Venue
From the outside, this restaurant doesn’t look particularly inviting as the building is quite scruffy and overlooks the noisy and slightly dubious Kilburn High Road. But once inside it has a surprisingly warm feel thanks to rustic, bare wood tables matched to quirky chairs and Renaissance prints.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is one of the most charming aspects of this tiny restaurant; Small & Beautiful lives up to its name. It’s intimate and tastefully decorated with mismatching furniture that adds personality, complemented by soft classical music to suit all tastes. The service is friendly but not intrusive, and the bread and olives on arrival is a really nice touch too.

The Food
The menu is varied and well-priced throughout. The chevre grille, melted goat’s cheese and fresh tomatoes over a white bread toast (though ciabatta bread would have been a better match), is a simple, tasty starter for £3. Main courses come in hearty portions and they are all under £12: for a mere £8.95 you get a massive seafood pot of mussels, prawns and squid cooked in wine and tomato sauce - a very aromatic dish with a strong hint of white wine. The beef stew is a heart-warming, substantial main course and comes with home-made mashed potato that's creamy and tasty, if a little lumpy. Desserts, all around the £3 mark, are not particularly tasty - the oven baked apple pie is just about average.

The Drink
The wine list is also exceptionally good value, featuring, among other bottles, a crispy, all-round Chardonnay for £15.45. For the same price you can enjoy a bottle of a delicate yet intense Australian Muscat, an above-average dessert wine. Other interesting options are the Sancerre for £22 and the Malbec for £16.

The Last Word
This is not the restaurant for the gourmet diner, but it’s a very valid option for a cosy night out in an area that doesn't offer much choice for foodies. Just do remember that they don't accept cards, so make sure you bring some cash in order to avoid an embarrassing moment with your date.

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