The Kitchen

While visiting the UK I was utterly spoiled with all the kosher options, including The Kitchen, which recently opened with rave reviews and delicious food.
In the 10 days I was there, we ordered take away once and ate-​in once. I definitely recommend going in to the restaurant because the place offers a truly unique dining experience.
With take away, the husband and I both opted for burgers, with him getting onion rings and me picking up the chili fries. I’ll admit the fries were of the frozen-​and-​fried variety with chili sauce poured atop (delicious, still), while the onion rings were clearly hand-​battered and, as the husband said, delicious. The burger I got was plain, and by the time it got to us was a bit lukewarm. My husband ordered the Double Fakon Cheat Burger (Two Prime Beef Burgers topped with Smokey Fakon & Soya Cheese) and both inhaled and raved about it. I was a bit jealous, but being gluten free I couldn’t really enjoy a burger the way I wanted. We also nabbed a spicy sushi roll, which was killer, fresh, and perfectly kickin’.
When we went in, the last night I was in the UK to see my husband, it was date night. We both felt terribly under dressed being there at night, so take note: If you’re going there for dinner, put on something nice, probably not jeans.
I ordered Mitch’s Sandwich sans the baguette: Baguette with Sliced Chargrilled Minute Steak, Sautéed Mixed Peppers and Onions with Mayo served with Homemade Fries and Coleslaw. Unfortunately, they were missing the mayo and they served me a mustard that had wheat in the ingredient. We let them know, so hopefully they won’t make anyone sick unnecessarily in the future. The meat was absolute perfection and the peppers/​onions were to die for. It reminded me of a sort of deconstructed Philly Cheesesteak, sans the cheese. The coleslaw was okay, but had a weird citrus tang that gave it a strange after taste. The sweet/​tangy balance is not there yet, but I suspect that with enough Americans eating there, they’ll get it right.
My husband ordered The Dallas Cowboy: Baguette with Pulled Home Smoked Beef Rib and Caramalised Onions served with Homemade Fries and Coleslaw. Although we got what they were going for in an homage to pulled-​pork sandwiches, unfortunately the meat wasn’t «pulled» at all. It was cubed and completely unseasoned. Unfortunately, he was disappointed with it.
Overall, the eat-​in experience was pretty great, even with the food hiccups. The interior of the restaurant is very alt-​rock glamour, with paintings of classic characters in modern situations (a character reminiscent of Shakespeare, ruffles and all, with one leg propped up on a soccer ball, for example). The lighting is dim and romantic at night, and the seating space is very close, so get to know your neighbor.
The staff were nice and accommodating, checking on all my gluten-​free questions, which is always a good sign.
In the end, I’d say this restaurant has a lot going for itself and will go far if it tweaks its recipes and menu just slightly toward perfection.