Eating Out - South Kensington

The South Kensington dinning experience!

Gilbert's

At Gilbert's there is one small but rather attractive dining room with an atmosphere that's calm but welcoming. The single set menu has different prices for lunch and dinner, but the homemade breads, olives and vegetables are included in the price. Amongst the first courses, I noticed Pissaldière (one of my Provencal favourites), as well as Fillets of smoked eel with gooseberry and horseradish cream, or Black olive tapenade with crudités. Main courses included Provencal fish stew with aoïli, Steamed fillet of salmon with ginger and tarragon cream, and Susikakia - ground lamb with cumin, mint and tomato. Puddings and cheeses looked good; coffee (2.25) comes with Gilbert's homemade fudge. The wine list is rather spectacular. We hope to bring a more detailed report before long. This restaurant recently won the well respected Decanter Magazine Restaurant of the Month award.  

Daquise

Daquise has been a popular Polish (but not exclusively so, as it serves other Eastern European dishes) restaurant since 1947 and has felt little need to change over the years. From that you can gather that the décor is nothing to write home about but the food certainly is. From the classic blinis and chlodnik, to hearty main courses such as meatballs, pork schnitzel and potato pancakes. The combination of true home cooking, generous portions and reasonable prices keep Daquise regulars coming back for more. Polish vodka and beer are the recommended drinks.

Tui Restaurant

This little Thai restaurant looks inviting, and the smell that wafts out is interesting. It's not that cheap, a collection of dishes can add up to a fair whack if you are not careful! Starters cost about a fiver each. There are some good fishy main courses such as poo goong ob - prawns and crab claws on a bed of clear noodles, or pla rad prig for seven or eight pounds each. But of course you'll need some vegetables as well!

Francofill

Found in the heart of South Kensington, Francofill provides a welcome relief from the more pretentious aspects of the area. Right across the street from the tube station, this authentic French bistro is friendly and informal, even offering the homely comfort of sofas. The food is accomplished; dishes revolve around the Francofill centrepiece - a slab of meat in a sandwich, with fries or a salad. Pick your preferred meat-type and choose from four sauces to go with it. There are vegetarian escape routes for the non-carnivores, but meat is fairly central to the place.