351-353 Kilburn High Road,
Kilburn,
London,
NW6 7QB
0872 148 1065
The ViewLondon Review
Small and Beautiful serve simple, no-fuss international food at incredibly low prices in romantic surroundings.The VenueTucked beneath and overshadowed by the Brondesbury silver link bridge; you will find a surprisingly opulent and decadent retreat inside that will take you miles away from the Kilburn High Road. That is, until the 20:10 whisks past and the whole restaurant shakes.
The AtmosphereA few traditional touches make visiting Small and Beautiful feel like a real treat. The staff are attentive and smartly turned out, and the walls are adorned with a mixture of framed old posters that reach the ceilings and mock antique mirrors. The decor might be accused of being a tad shabby, but then that’s also what adds to its charm.
The FoodAlthough the restaurant seems to be masquerading as French, the food certainly doesn’t seem to limit itself to any one cuisine. It’s more of a contemporary hodgepodge with an array of meal options. The early bird menu, seemingly popular with visitors to the nearby Tricycle Theatre (they advertise in the programme) can be ordered from before 7pm and offers some impressively low cost meals. Light bites can be anything from a salmon fillet to Puffy Duck (duck in filo pastry) The salmon fillet is served with a simple but delicious butter and pepper sauce and some crunchy fresh vegetables on the side , and the Puffy Duck contains some tender meat.
Main meals offer a choice of risotto, portions of which are so huge they could genuinely feed two. However, they are always on the menu for the simple reason that they are reliably good, deliciously creamy and full of flavour. In addition to the main menu there is a weekly specials menu with an expectedly limitless choice of food. Although the cuisine alone in this little restaurant doesn’t offer the richest of dinning experiences, the surroundings, staff and prices make up for it.
The DrinkThe drinks list is predominantly comprised of French wines. Carafes of the house wines are available, as are a selection of beers.
The Last WordHead to Small and Beautiful for an affordable evening out with a partner or a party and choose from a menu designed to suit every palette in a charming and cheery atmosphere.