Hands down one of the best meals I've ever had. My partner and I were visiting London for a few days, and made a lunch reservation here and are so glad we did! We did the tasting menu, where you choose your courses on a game style board. We split a bottle of wine, and while we were enjoying our first glass, we got complimentary "snacks" from the chef! These were so interesting and tasty! We added the egg and soldier to split, and then each had our own tasting menu. Every option we tried was magnificent! Our reservation was for right when they opened, so we were the first guests. Our table was beautiful and our server was so wonderful! Highly recommend dining here while in London! read more

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I had dinner here ordering their prix fixe menu with my partner. The wait staff are very nice and the food is tasty (though not extraordinary) and beautifully presented. In addition, there are a number of "free" amuse bouche items provided. However, the portion sizes from this menu are tiny. I'd say the portions are like tapas rather than a meal that will satisfy your hunger. But what really burnt my bunions was that when the bill arrived, it included a £1 charge for charity. I choose my own charities voluntarily and do not expect to be pickpocketed in a fancy, overpriced restaurant. If the owners want, they can donate to charity out of their pockets without imposing this on me with a sneaky addition to the bill. I believe it's inappropriate for a restaurant to sneak this on the bill, which would result in an embarrassing confrontation with the wait staff over it. I want to be asked to opt-in rather than requiring me to opt-out. In addition, the bill had a 15% service charge, which, on top of their inflated prices and their £1 charity addition, really dented my wallet. A 12.5% service charge is the norm in London. 15% is ridiculous. There was no mention of the charity extortion or inflated service charge up front. No wonder they're closing the restaurant down. Even if they stayed open I'd never go back. read more

Hands down one of the best places I have ever been to. Delicious and innovative food with some small surprises along the way, kindest staff

Fine dining modern eats in a quaint posh neighborhood. 4.5 stars Food: 4, Atmosphere: 4, Service: 3 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Return worthiness: maybe Highlights: - Fun menu: with icons of the main ingredient (ex. pig, fish, egg, etc.) - Pork: nice two pieces of hearty medium rare slices along with a long carrot covered in a sort of crumbs. 4.5 stars - Foie gras with rhubarb: sections of rich four alternated with tart rhubarb was an unexpected but refreshing combination. 4.25 stars - Cheese cart: wonderful collection and enjoyed all 5 I chose - Choice: can do a full tasting menu or 3 courses where you chose - Lovely dining room: refined yet not stuffy, white tablecloths with a lightbulb as a lighter centerpiece and muted colors on the wall - Wine: nice selections of bottled from across the world and multiple sommeliers assisted us Midlights: - Waiter: not so warm or friendly - Dessert bonus round: whimsical presentation with a few cones and lollipop shapes but flavor was just ok Lowlights: - Amuses: didn't care for the pastry filled with cream, banana tart, or bitter cotton candy though were presented nicely Nice food and atmosphere and a solid choice for a meal in London. read more

We went for our anniversary dinner and absolutely loved it. We found an Open Table deal for 3 courses and a glass of champagne for £35. We ordered fois gras for starter, pork for main, then strawberry with merengue for dessert. All dishes were perfectly done. Particularly liked the pork, which was very tender and flavourful with all its sauce and sides. Service was also impeccable. Needless to say, they were prompt and kind but also, served about three small plates as complimentary to cleanse our palates. Ambience was the perfect balance of posh and neighbourhood favourite. Not too fanciful but very tasteful in all its interior and atmosphere. Would highly recommend it! read more

Launceston Place - British Near Me - London, XGL

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Fantastic. Was here with a group (12) for dinner, and this place did not disappoint. The service was fantastic, the setting was great, and the FOOD was amazing. One of the best meals I have had in Europe. We had a muti-course meal with items coming out in fun ways - in tiny shopping carts or in tiny pots with tiny shovels. The vibe of the presentation was a perfect lighthearted compliment to the food. If you are looking for a great place for a meal for two, or for a group, I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

One of the best fine dining experiences I've ever had. Service was impeccable - always working, but unnoticed. Presentation and dining area were gorgeous. The scallops in pea mojito was absolutely wonderful. If you love cheese, take a peek at the cheese cart - it's really impressive! Only downside is a snotty neighbor who scoffed at me (while my husband was not at the table) for bringing my (sleeping) infant. However, staff quickly addressed him gracefully and relocated him as he didn't want to be near a silent car seat on the ground read more

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Amazing tasting menu, presentation and equally amazing service. Must experience firsthand. I would definitely recommend the tasting menu vs. ala carte ordering. There is an optional cheese plate dessert that we considered adding, but the server recommended waiting until we ate the main courses and he was right - we were perfectly satisfied after eating them and didn't need the cheese plate. Absolute perfection. read more

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Launceston Place is probably the best budget up scale dinning experience I've ever had in London. Which is the reason why I visit it at least once when ever in London. Price-wise I think this is the place to beat in terms of quality and creativity among the one star Michelin places in London. One might find the lunch set menu somewhat limited but for the price asked I'll still believe it offers a great variety. Considering the fact you are spoiled with Amuse-bouche in between your set lunch courses it is plenty of food and variety one might desire especially if one prefers the lunch to be a somewhat lighter meal of the day. Still for those who prefer a bigger variety LP offers a market menu that is utterly satisfying and still a good bang for the buck. This intricate menu is where I for instance found my favourite starter of all time; The Cornish Mackerel. The attentive, but never in your face, staff offer great service and friendly accommodation that together with the food and the cool ambiance of the restaurant makes me believe this is a place hungry and striving for another Michelin star. And I for one think they should and deserve to get it. read more

Whenever I go to a posh restaurant, I'm always scared that there's a giant flashing sign above my head saying "fine dining n00b". It's a little similar to the feeling of buying alcohol when underage. Not that I've ever done that... But anyway, I shouldn't have worried. The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive. My fine establishment fears: (1) Pronunciation of wines. I can't speak French or Italian, or Spanish, or any other language. Sometimes when staring at a wine menu I feel a bit panicked thinking how I can fit all the vowels and consonants together in the most authentic but non silly sounding way. Instead we vaguely pointed and the incredibly lovely sommelier anticipated my fears and jumped in immediately to read it off. (2) Refusal of tap water. I like to drink tap water because it's environmentally friendly with the least possible packaging (and cheap). Some restaurants sneer at my request, but at the restaurant it was suggested it without my hinting. Double thumbs up. (Sidenote: I tend to die a little inside when "green" supermarkets stock Fiji or Icelandic Glacial water... so many miles and so much plastic.) (3) Offal and "forgotten cuts". All of a sudden they've become incredibly trendy, and I know I'm incredibly prejudiced (and missing out on a lot) but I can't ever get over the fact I'm eating something like duck hearts (even if they are delicious). Here, there was no reason for me to worry, cod, pork or roast beef mmmm. I ate: homemade crisps, warm bread (with herrings and freshly churned butter), braised melt in the mouth ribs with creamed polenta, roast longhorn beef (with purple sprouting broccoli, crushed turnips, roast potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding), lemon posset, custard and rhubarb crumble (which had a complete sense of humour about itself as the lurid colours resembled a Warhol painting), and mini lemon madelaines (with fresh dipping cream). Plus a wonderful bottle of 2001 Chateau Ligondras. AMAZING. Damage was 145 for two. But would I do it again? Totally. There's no better way to spend a lazy Sunday. read more

One of the more interesting 1* michelin restaurants in London. Every course is prepared like a piece of art, and more interesting as the tasting menu progresses. Topping it off with one of the best deserts I've had in London (raspberry and caramelised white chocolate). Impressive cheese and wine selection too. read more

Launceston Place - Quail (newcorn, verjus legs smoked in hay) - British Near Me - London, XGL

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First Course - Duck egg on toast, Somerset truffle Firstly, I have never been served so many truffle slices on one plate. The aroma wafts and engulfs you in a sensory delight before you even taste it. Start eating...HELLO!! Eyes open wide, I love...I love...I love... Everything works and harmonise together that I and other duck egg on toast choosers were on cloud nine. The silky almost creamy yolk from the duck egg soaked into the toast and it sticks and swirls in your mouth. So rich and so creamy, combined the truffles and it is seriously an umami gastronomic experience. I was seriously at the point where I couldn't care less about the other first courses eaten by the others, LOL! This was and is the best dish I had there and definitely ranks highly on my top 10 list. The rest of the menu was delectable but did not make as big an impact as this one. read more

We enjoyed the Chef's Table recently to celebrate the 45th wedding anniversary of my husband's parents. I cannot say enough good things about the crew here - they put up with my father-in-law over-sharing about his GERD (why he cannot have red wine) multiple food allergies (balsamic vinegar, red wine, shellfish, all seafood...) and two little girls under ten who wanted to know exactly what was on their plate. The presentation was flawless, and I loved being able to view the kitchen via flat screen TV. The meal was one of the most memorable of my life - risotto in a duck egg, topped with truffle shavings, cauliflower soup with a creme fresh foam, pork with skin so crackled that even my Cuban in-laws were impressed. My two nieces were even invited into the kitchen to "assist" with dessert preparation. Our waited was clever enough to ask for a camera and took some great pictures of them with the chefs. My only complaint? That I wasn't as hungry 5 or 6 courses in to fully enjoy the cheese and desserts! But I happily waddled home knowing that Launceston Place would be on any future London itineraries. read more

Launceston Place - British Near Me - London, XGL

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We went here for a valentine's day dinner. The reception was welcoming and we were seating very quickly. The atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed especially on this eventful evening. I loved the décor too! The duck egg dish was delicious! We also had a scallop dish that honestly can't go wrong because it's one of my favourite ingredients. The dessert was death by chocolate and bananas so a wonderful way to finish off a lovely meal. I also ordered a cocktail (something I rarely do) and would recommend the cosmopolitan. Overall, for £90 per person plus drink it was a nice experience with lovely food and delicious drinks. I would recommend coming here for a date as it has a nice vibe and side conversations but is not too loud. read more

Launceston Place - The dessert!!! - British Near Me - London, XGL

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A few points prior to the meal - this is fine dining. Reservation times should be respected. Service is excellent: attentive, friendly and not intrusive. Our servers were professional and helpful. The food was exceptional and beautifully presented. Menu had 3 and 5 course menus providing choices for various courses and came with amuse bouche and palate cleansers. There menu is changed seasonally to bring the best of the season's offerings in elegant ways. Having had the three course offering I was elated with the delicate balance of tastes and textures. I found every course to be seasoned perfectly, plated with expert consideration to providing delight to the guests. The tomato consume amuse bouche brought your taste buds to attention. I enjoyed the quail (hay smoked egg was wonderful!), veal with raviolis (delicious!) and pineapple to share for dessert. Ice cream was amazing! With so much taste in the dessert the only thing I could possibly wish different was that the accompanying cheesecake was a bit lost as it was a more subtle flavour. On its own it would probably have been perfect. Light and fresh tasting. Wines we had were perfect. Overall an experience I will not soon forget! read more

We experienced a fairly formal atmosphere, not as "warm" as other reviewers have stated but was fine with us and would be perfect for special occasion dining. Fairly quiet, hushed tones, somewhat older and more reserved clientèle, male customers in suits for the most part. My wife and I got the market menu and, while not looking for value, it was a tremendous value for the quality of food. Wine is not cheap but if we had drank more of it we maybe would have noticed that. Food was spectacular. Delicious, interesting flavours and textures, and some of the best presentation I have ever seen, and we've eaten at many Michelin star restaurants. I would probably rate this 2 Michelin stars, definitely a cut above the other 1 star places we've eaten at in London. It was somewhat shocking to us (having moved to London from NYC recently) that some prime tables remained empty the whole evening. I think this quality of food deserves better patronage! read more

Thank goodness for finding Launceston Place on Yelp when visiting London. I dined on a Sunday night and enjoyed one of the best meals ever. The service was outstanding, and the food was exquisite. I had the tasting menu, swapping out the dessert to try two of the first course options--a memorable duck salad and a pork dish. I also ordered the suckling pig for the main course and relished every forkful. Welch does a remarkable job of featuring local ingredients and British cuisine while celebrating the actual ingredients ( ie you can recognize what it is that's on your plate!) Can't wait to get back to London and dine again. read more

"Diana ate here. A lot." This is a quote from The Guardian's review of Launceston Place. It is 10 minutes from Kensington Palace, and the warren of small dining rooms does make it easier to be discreet. Since Diana, the restaurant has been revamped, and now helmed by chef Tristan Welch. Launceston Place was a fitting finale to my week of culinary delights in London. The restaurant is done up in moody, sultry tones. It is mostly hushed, with a battalion of staff hovering with intent, ready to cater to one's whims. The furnishings and setting are ultra luxe without being grandiose. After settling in, we were presented with an amuse bouche of potato crisps. These were meticulously punched out in the middle (I mean perfect circles), and tied together with a black satin ribbon bearing the restaurant's name. It was a tad precious for my taste, but if that is their kind of attention to detail, I'm all for it. We decided on a bottle of 2005 Teresa Manara negroamaro, from Salento, in anticipation of the red meat we'd picked for our mains. So to start, Wild Sea Trout, Isle of Wright Tomatoes, Pickled Cucumber, Basil; and Pea and Home Cured Ham Tartlet. The trout was slightly smoked, and the veggies supplemented the freshness of the dish. For the tart, beneath ribbons of ham, the peas were a coarse spread over a butter cracker. Both were light, but extremely flavorful. For mains, we had Rose Veal Rump, Nettles, Pickled Mushrooms; and Denham Castle Lamb, Charlotte Potatoes, Wild Garlic. If you're anti-veal, please stop reading now. All I can say is, if there is meat like this everyday, I will gladly eat it everyday. The pickled mushrooms were a pleasant surprise, bringing a jolt to the meltingly tender meat. The lamb had 2 preparations. A few pieces of loin seared medium rare, resting on top of a mound of braised lamb. The flavor was absolutely intense, and the garlic and potatoes just brought it to another level. For intermezzo, Pimm's gelee covered with a blanket of lemon granita. Hmmm, I must attempt this at home. For pudding, English Strawberries, Lavender Set Cream, Shortbread, Nyetimber Sparkling Wine. This was an English trifle in a glass. The sparkling wine, in gelee form, was a pleasant introduction to the layers of sweetness underneath. The other pudding was Warm Smoked Dark Chocolate and Laphroiag Whiskey Ice Cream. My partner thought this was too aggressive, but I completely loved it. I wavered on whether all the woodsy-ness was going to be overpowering, but in the end, it worked. The ganache was luscious, with hints of smokiness on every bite. The whiskey ice cream was just genius. Chocolate, cream, alcohol, wood on wood. Amen. Why 5 stars? Service is absolute perfection. The surroundings are serene and very discreet. The food is very inventive and delicious, yet very approachable. If I live in London, I would also eat here. A lot. read more

Launceston Place - Warm Smoked Dark Chocolate, Laphroiag Whiskey Ice Cream - British Near Me - London, XGL

I spent a romantic anniversary here with my American Boy two years ago (wow, where has the time gone?!).... The ambiance is lovely, with great soft lighting, candles, and cozy nooks to get your cuddle on with your sweetheart. Had the foie gras and duck, both were delicate yet savory. I may be a bit biased seeing as I was already wearing rose-colored glasses and loving life (and the wonderful guy who arranged to bring me here), but this place will always inhabit a special place in my heart, and I hope to come here again in the future (sooner than later hopefully!) read more

We had read about up and coming chef Tristan Welch, and we decided to try his restaurant, Launceston Place in a lovely quiet neighborhood in Kensington, London. This was possibly the best meal of our trip. We chose the tasting menu. Here it is: First course: Rainbow trout, Isle of Wight tomatoes, pickled cucumber, basil - served in this lovely, tiny mason jar! Elegant, clean tasting, delicious! Second Course: English asparagus, snail, sunflower seeds, herb dressing. Really wonderful flavor. Third Course: West coast scallop roasted with aromatic herbs from the coast line. Cooked right in the shell it grew in. Just great! Fourth Course: Celery sorbet, walnuts and apples. Surprisingly intense celery flavor, yet it worked as a palate cleanser. Fifth Course: Denham Castle lamb, Charlotte potatoes, wild garlic. We thought the flavor was just perfect. Sixth Course (Dessert): Rice pudding souffle, raspberry ripple ice cream. Who would expect rice pudding could be made into souffle? Creative, light, wonderful. After dinner, we were presented with hand-made candies, which we took back to our hotel. We met the chef, Tristan Welch, who was really nice! The Maitre D helped us get a reservation for Marcus Wareing, two nights later - better known, but not as good as this place. read more

We came here for a special birthday dinner. It has a warm neighbourhood restaurant feel, almost hidden among the houses in the area. We both had the tasting menu with a celebratory glass of champagne to commence and a bottle of Californian red wine to enjoy for the rest of the evening. We were originally seated close to a pair of loud women. It was going to be too annoying so we asked to be moved to a different table, and they were happy to do this for us. I noticed that another couple also came in shortly after us and it seemed that they had had the same issue with the same loud people. Obviously, this isn't something the restaurant can do much to avoid, but I appreciated their response to help us. The overall service was amiable and helpful, but sometimes you felt like you needed to look for them if you stood up to, say, look for the bathroom. It is one-Michelin star service, not three-Michelin star service. The amuse bouches were nice and simple. Two of them, really, which came out separately. Light pastry puffs with a blue cheese filling and mini croquettes, followed by a small glass of cauliflower soup. The bread selection was not too special. They had white and brown choices, but they both seemed like breads you would get in the supermarket. The tasting menu proper: * Cornish Mackerel. Cold smoked and grilled, rose gooseberries and tartare, charred cucumber and iced grain mustard. Mackerel seems to be the "in" thing at the moment, and when it is prepared like this, it is easy to see why. This was one of the highlights. Tender and delicious. * Warm Allenheads Grouse. Cobnuts, crumbed frozen fois gras, iberico lardo and peaches. The combination was good, but for me the peaches were not quite ripe enough. * West Coast Scallop and Iberian pig's cheek. Carrot and star anise, romanesco cauliflower, sesame and five spice. It must have been a big scallop to begin with, because mine came out cut into a square shape. It was well cooked, though: nice colouring on the outside but not overcooked in the middle. For the main course, we had an option. I decided on the plaice and my wife had the veal fillet. * Hand speared plaice, english crayfish and seashore herbs. The plaice was well-prepared, but for me it doesn't have much flavour. I think it is more about the texture and what accompanies it on the plate. It came with a mini "sausage" made of crayfish which looked like it would take a lot of effort to prepare. Except for that, it looked like a very simple dish. * English veal fillet, porcini mash, girolles and madeira sauce. In retrospect, I think this was the better main. The veal was cooked to the right point of rareness and the porcini mash was delicious. * Selection of English and French cheeses. While we were asked what types of cheeses we preferred, it would have been better if we were shown the cheese trolley and could choose some directly from there. * Lemon. A simple name, but a very refreshing cleanser of lemon done many ways: icecream, granita and mousse. All three parts were equally good and this was one of my favourite courses. * Apricot souffle, apricot brandy sauce and its own sorbet. This was the top highlight for me. I am a fan of desserts, but even allowing for that, this was the course that I would still remember months down the line. The waiter presented the souffles in front of us, as if he were delivering a prize for inspection. It's great when the souffle rises perfectly, as these ones did. To our false cries of objection, he punctured the top and poured in the apricot brandy sauce. So delicious! I savoured every spoonful. We rounded off the meal with coffee and tea and petits fours. We were so full and content that we ordered a minicab to take us home, rather than negotiate the tube system. read more

I have to say this had to be one of the most expensive restaurant I have ever been to in London. My flat mate's birthday was on a Good Friday and his parents were in town. As a big group we decided to go to Launceston Place for dinner. five fix menu by the birthday boy: -Amuse Bouche -Roasted Scallop glazed pork belly, texture of apple and celeariac - Angus and Charolais aged beef fillet glazed forerib, truffle marrow bone and beef red wine sauce -Pre Dessert -Caramel Chocolate mousse carpaccio of poached pear with cumin caramel, Breton pastry and pear sorbet The dinner was absolutely the best dinner I have ever in my life. I can't describe anymore into detail about my food experience, but I can say that the staff experience was very professional and top notch. I didn't have to pay for the dinner, but what I heard from a quest of mine that had seen the bill. I was quite shock to how much the dinner for 8 people would cost. Are you ready.... it was 650.00pounds plus the service charge. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner as it was one of the most creative and delicious four courses we ever had anywhere. The website says European and it does draw on a vat oof dishes with incredible French style sauces. Their wine selection is fantastic and so is their unique spirits list finding incredible tastes from off the beaten track places like beer from Iceland. The variety of cheeses was simply breathtaking.The staff was very friendly, courteous and helpful. I can see why the place is very busy. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood it made for a delightful evening experience. read more

I had not been to Launceston Place in nearly 30 years....goodness how it has changed. The meal was perfection and they genuinely seem to enjoy thier creations. I look forward to returning. read more

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Funnily enough I was drafting this review starting out with "A restaurant that is Michelin worthy" to find out that it has finally earned one a few months ago. It's been over a year since I last been but glad to see this place gets the recognition it deserves. I've been to LP for both lunch and dinner and both very amazing but different experiences. My first impression of LP was over a weekend lunch. The set menu has limited choices but really good value. I was lucky enough (and worked bloody damn hard!) to get treated to dinner as a work event. This was the first time I've experienced a wine pairing tasting menu and up until this point - I had no idea you can enjoy food so much. It's definitely one of my favorite restaurants in London. Go on, spoil yourself rotten! read more

This was the first Michelin starred restaurant of our trip, and also the first we'd ever tried. We had a good experience - it is located in a charming, quiet neighborhood and is bright and minimalistic inside. The set lunch menu is a pretty good deal; we happened to be there for Sunday lunch. We were served 2 amuses - choux pastries with bechamel inside and a tomato slush of sorts that somehow captured the best flavors a tomato can offer. I got the duck egg to start and hubby tried the grouse. Both dishes were light and well made. I loved the baby peas on mine. Then I had the plaice with homemade linguini that was smothered in a butter sauce. Sinfully rich, yet somehow still light. I did find a couple bones in my fish, which isn't a big deal to me but apparently is a no-no for a nice place. To their credit, at a 3 star place in Paris I also found a few bones. A European thing? Anyhow, hubby's pork 'presa' was delicious, an elevated take on classic comfort food. We finished with the chocolate mousse and baked English custard. If I had to only pick one I'd go with the custard, not that the mousse wasn't great but I have had similar elsewhere. Looking back now that our trip is over, this is a very good restaurant but maybe not as creative as the other one star places we tried. read more

We booked Launceston Place for a pre-show meal due to its proximity to the Royal Albert Hall. The dining room was beautiful. Too bad about a leaking roof. (note: the manager contacted me after this review to explain it was not a leaking roof but air conditioner condensation - regardless, there were drops of water gathering and falling from the roof). As for the food. We definitely enjoyed elements of our meal. If a diner has issues with butter or cream, then this probably isn't the restaurant for them. This is also not a restaurant if you are interested in "simple" food - each dish is complex, using foams, mousses, and jellies. We knew the meal was fixed price three courses but on the booking had noted our time limit due to the show we were attending. We told the wait staff we would take two of the three courses. Indeed one of our crowd only took one. At the end of the meal - on limited time - we asked to please have the water and £5 supplement for a main course removed from our bill. We felt this appropriate because we were not able to enjoy the full meal, and equally it was not a "big ask" of the staff. The chef agreed to comp the water, but not the $5 supplement. In my opinion, perhaps our request was too much, driven by high expectations of customer service one would hope to expect from a restaurant with a reputation such as the Launceston. But our request was handled clumsily, and the general impression when the chef refused to remove the £5 supplement was that Launceston Place may be beautiful but it is stingy. In my opinion a restaurant only has one chance to make a good first impression - it is the job of front of house to operate seamlessly, to ensure this impression is made. And it is the role of the chef to set the tone, to create an atmosphere for excellence. Unfortunately in this case Launceston Place blew their chance to create that great first impression. I hope the next diner has a better experience than us. Especially as the room is truly beautiful. read more

1A Launceston Place London W8 5RL - my second favorite side street in London besides Cheval Place - posh restaurant and fine dining Emily Rose Reeder read more

An upmarket bistro in elegant Kensington feels like a little bit of Paris. On a quiet residential street which also incidentally looks a bit like the Parisian Left Bank, the warm velvet interior lit by candlelight is very bijoux and intimate. This is a grown up restaurant that had it been in Mayfair could ask for double the menu price, so it is quite a fine find both in quality of food and refined surroundings. The staff were friendly and the food was first rate. There is really nothing negative to deter one from going there, especially for an anniversary or to impress a serious date. Its just that for me nothing really stood out as exciting or different which is why I only gave it 3 stars. It really is more 3 1/2 stars in my mind as everything was exactly as it should be, tasted lovely, it was just nothing I hadn't seen or eaten before. And there is nothing wrong with that. If you want a cozy place to have a relaxing meal and quiet conversation this is a perfect spot. read more

An enjoyable meal - but truthfully, not as groundbreaking as I had hoped or expected. What I liked? The bread, served with absolutely delicious salted butter and pickled herring. A beautifully presented Scallop with Herbs - the shellfish itself was soft, sweet, and rich; easily among the best starters that I've had in recent memory. The Chocolate Souffle was outstanding: impossibly light and creamy with a thin sugary crust on top. What was closer to average? The service - at times during the meal, the waitstaff seemed confused and disorganised (despite several reminders, they forgot that my dining companion was vegetarian; even bringing out the same dish twice - by mistake - for our Tasting Menu!). The food selection for vegetarians could also have been better. In lieu of a diverse and well-choreographed slate of tastes, the kitchen turned out one flavour (buttery/creamy richness) in 4 different ways. The Truffled Duck Egg, even with a small mountain of truffles, was a little flavourless (though it could just be the case that poached eggs aren't my thing...) In all, we had a good time here. The wine list is excellent; and the atmosphere is equal parts trendy and clubby. I will come back - but my expectations won't be as high as my first visit. read more

For the prices this charges, I expected better. We were there on a quiet Monday evening, and I found myself comparing it to The Ivy or Claridges. It is good, but for that amount of money, I expect it to be, and compared to those two establishments, it just didn't hold up. The service was slow - it was difficult to attract a waiter when we wanted one. The actual staff were really kind and lovely, and contributed to the ambience. The cep risotto was good, presented nicely, but wasn't particularly out of the ordinary, none of the subtle flavours that I might have expected. The veal Tartare was wonderful, by contrast. Subtle, intelligent food, flavours that set different parts of the mouth alight. The cauliflower cappuccino really didn't do it for me - nice flavour, well presented, but not what I wanted (and I hadn't ordered it). The cheese selection - was good. The warm chocolate, however, was absolutely stunning. Presentation was nice - they used slates, copper vessels, plates and so on. Again nothing that took me by surprise or stood out in a good way. The wine choices, recommended by the Sommelier, were really fab, and getting wine to match the dishes really brings a lot to the experience. I would recommend this place for something special. It is lovely, and has a quirky feel to it. It just didn't quite do it for me. read more

Launceston place is tucked down a quiet little side street in kensington. Once inside the interior is quite sober and corporate. On the occasion that we were there the restaurant was quite empty which was a shame as that interior need some ambience injected. But the food makes up for it. Plus the amount of amuse bouches and pre-desserts makes this really good value. Presentation is also a very strong point, my crab risotto came with a whole crab shell covering it, the pre-dessert was creme brulee in an eggshell. So cute! I wish this had been my real dessert I could have eaten a lot more of it! Recommeded but only if you go with enough people to create your own atmosphere. And at the end they give ladies a little package of caramel brittle to take away which I though was a lovely touch read more

I do love a good fish pie, but Launceston Place's 'stargazey pie' is infinitely more imaginative and devilishly witty. I was lucky enough to sample this starter the other night at this impressive Kensington eatery, headed up by Tristan Welch. I was initially a bit put off by the sight of the sardine tail crudely curling out over the side of the bowl from under a pastry crust, when the dish arrived. It looked like the poor fish had plopped straight into it from the sea. The waiter had also warned me - when I was considering what to order - that the sardine would be served whole in the pie, with the head left on. It was "to allow it to look up to the stars," he explained theatrically. Anyway, by the time I got under the pastry crust and tasted the delicate fish and subtle creamy sauce, my tastebuds were too tickled to care. My friend and I both also chose fishy main courses: wild seabass, beetroot, purple sprouting broccoli and wild garlic, and hot smoked halibut with wild fennel. These were also exquisite. My only complaint was the 15-minute delay in being seated (surprising for a 9pm booking on a Thursday) and a 40-minute wait between courses. However, the staff more than made up for it with their friendly professionalism. All in all, quite a catch....despite the hefty price tag. read more

Please also see http://hungryinlondon.com/2010/06/launceston-place-kensington/ Pretentious as shit but worth it - this is Launceston Place very accurately described with the words of RS. I have to say my evening at Launceston Place was highly enjoyable on many levels and it made me very happy. This is how dining out should be. Most importantly, the food was extraordinary. What really stood out was their incredible attention to detail and the thought that seem to have gone into every little thing. It was not only that everything tasted like heaven, but also each plate was presented like a work of art. You have to choose 3 courses from a set menu for 48 pounds. I was not so convinced about this in the beginning as I usually don't eat desserts, but hadn't I be forced to the last course I would have missed out big time! For the starters we had the beef tartar with barley, which was mild and full of subtle flavour. The only criticism could be that the beef was quite coarse, which I actually really enjoyed while RS was not entirely convinced. Lovely was the asparagus with snails and sunflower seeds. The sunflower seeds went surprisingly well with the perfectly cooked, crunchy green asparagus. The two lonely snails were unncessary but did not spoil the dish. The mains were served lukewarm, probably it took so long to make them pretty, but they were delicious anyway. The lamb with potatoes and wild garlic was a dream. The perfectly cooked medium rare meat literally melted in my mouth. I was in food paradise! The hot smoked halibut with wild fennel served with a light dill sauce did not quite reach the level of the lamb, but nevertheless was very tasty. There is only one thing I am still confused about: the fish was served on little brown branches, I still have no idea if they were supposed to be eaten or only decoration.. I did eat some of them, they really did not taste of much and I clearly got my share of cellulose Now the dessert Warm smoked dark chocolate with Laphroiag whisky ice cream was another food heaven moment for me, the Laphroiag ice cream was the superstar among many starts of the evening. I should mention that I love whiskey, the peatier the better and they manged to pack all these flavours into an ice cream! It was so absolutely delicious! It was also a brave dish as Laphroiag is a very strongly flavoured whiskey and probably not to everyone's taste. I'm sure the chocolate fondant and also the second dessert (Rhubarb and custard) were good too but I couldn't say as I had just fallen in love with my whiskey ice cream, sorry :) Now back from the seventh cloud to something we did not like very much the wine list. It was off-putting, pretentious and ridiculously over-priced. I know, it's an expensive restaurant, but is this a reason to offer only one wine of each colour under 30 pounds? We boycotted this and went for the 20 pound bottle which was actually really nice. The atmosphere I find is perfect for a (good) date not only comfortable and intimate but also due the little surprise dishes you get served in between courses you really don't feel rushed to finish your food quickly. Overall, this was the most outstanding food I have had this year and I recommend everyone to go there and enjoy Tristan Welch's cooking I hope it will put a big smile into your face too! read more

I thought I had found a bit of a gem when I got to the restaurant, tucked away at the end of the road in the middle of Kensington. Everything looked promising...the outside was lovely, the decor inside was comfortable and elegant, staff seemed pleasant and efficient and the menus looked good.... Then things started to go a bit wrong; too many items were off the menu that night (bad night for the chef?); starters were very mixed...my ham terrine had lots of foie gras (which unfortunately I really do not care for) which had never been mentioned; the mushroom brioche was so full of salt it would have raised the alarm of a government official. Main courses were better, but not great. Good fish but appalling mash. Desert was good but the cheese plate was closer to an airline dish than an expensive London restaurant's concoction. Not worth the price. Shame because it looked good. read more

Located in a beautiful neighborhood in Kensington, Launceston Place's food is superb. Beautifully presented,very innovative and with a great attention to detail, you immediately realize that you're in a special place. The service is very professional and attentive. Only reason not to give it 5 stars (but would give 4.5 if I could) is I find the decor a bit cold and the bar area uninviting. Perhaps if we'd had a window seat I would not have noticed as much. Will definitely return often. read more

Absolutely fantastic...amazing food, well presented, lovely different tastes and top notch service. Really worth going soon! read more

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I got taken here for Xmas lunch by a supplier, one the fanciest places I have been to. The waiters and front manager are very posh and accommodating. We were shown to our table and the suited waiter brought the menu's and wine lists. It felt pretty intimidating and I was afraid to speak to loudly. The menu was very inetersting with lots of celebrity chef terms such as foam of pumpkin. To be honest though the food was absolutely stunning, great flavours and good portions. The wine was equally good. However as I was taken for lunch I did not see the bill so I cannot comment on value for money. I probably would not go here on my own accord but would happily be taken there again. read more

First Course Duck egg on toast, Somerset truffle Firstly, I have never been served so many truffle slices on one plate. The aroma wafts and engulfs you in a sensory delight before you even taste it. Start eating...HELLO!! Eyes open wide, I loveI loveI love Everything works and harmonise together that I and other duck egg on toast choosers were on cloud nine. The silky almost creamy yolk from the duck egg soaked into the toast and it sticks and swirls in your mouth. So rich and so creamy, combined the truffles and it is seriously an umami gastronomic experience. I was seriously at the point where I couldn't care less about the other first courses eaten by the others, LOL! This was and is the best dish I had there and definitely ranks highly on my top 10 list. The rest of the menu was delectable but did not make as big an impact as this one. To read the complete review, please go to http://chopstix2steaknives.blogspot.com/2010/12/launceston-place-you-had-me-at-duck-egg.html read more

As expected, another wonderful dinner at Launceston Place, the dishes were completely different to my last visit but the essence and spirit of Tim's creative style remains the same. Some very refreshing flavours and strange uses of ingredient arrangements but they worked wonders in most cases. It is always good to see a restaurant that continues to push forward and seek perfection. Places like Dinner by Heston Blumenthal still cook pretty much the same dishes since it was opened and I just can't see what is the appeal to go back if you always get the same thing over and over again. But pushing the boundaries always carries a risk but in Tim's case, I definitely see plenty of progression compared to my very first visit. Tim and his team have indeed got a bright future ahead if they carry on like this. read more