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RestaurantsLondonKensington and ChelseaW8

Harden's says

From the family behind long-running Il Portico, a few doors along Kensington High Street, this bistro celebrates the food of the French Basque Country – subtly different from the Spanish Basque cuisine found across the capital. Expect plenty of game, mushrooms and truffles, with cooking over a wood-fire grill.

survey result

Summary

£78
 ££££
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

James Chiavarini, owner of long-established Italian Il Portico a few doors along, keeps relaunching this Kensington-fringe site: it was Pizzicotto, then Pino… now this Basque- inspired bistro, incorporating game and funghi cooked over a wood-fire grill. It’s up for debate as to whether this latest incarnation has cracked it: on the plus side, Charlotte Ivers in The Sunday Times found “a joyful mix” of food and wine; but on the minuses, initial feedback in our annual diners’ poll includes a couple of “poor all round” reports: “nothing to tempt us on the menu”.

For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at La Palombe?

267 Kensington High Street, London, W8 6NA

What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Times

Charlotte Ivers enjoyed her meal at the new venture from James Chiavarini, owner of long-established Italian Il Portico nearby.

“For this place, Chiavarini wanted something homely and rustic, and the comfort food of rural southwest France seemed to fit the bill. Plus there are a lot of French people in Kensington. There’s also a Basque thread through the menu — we have gildas (skewers of olive, anchovy and pepper) to start, and there are a fair few Spanish wines kicking about. It’s a joyful mix.”

Charlotte Ivers - 2024-02-25

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£3.80 £55.50 £6.00 £6.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £0.00
Filter Coffee £0.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
267 Kensington High Street, London, W8 6NA
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
Tuesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Saturday12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm
Sunday12 pm‑4 pm

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