Publiq - South Kensington Reviews Summary (2024)

Category: Modern European restaurant London

Address: 1d Palace Gate, South Kensington, London, W8 5LS, United Kingdom

Phone: +442034176768

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Staff were welcoming and happy to sit us down as there was space available."
• "Service was excellent throughout, nice atmosphere and highly recommended for a visit."
• "Very attentive but not overbearing staff, the perfect medium."
• "Staff were very friendly and attentive, the general atmosphere made us feel very welcome."
• "Our waiter, Greg, was charming, knowledgeable and super efficient."
• "Service was great and the waiters were very attentive, friendly and happy to explain how dishes were made."
• "Greg and team were perfect in explaining the menu and recommending dishes."
• "Every member of the staff was exceptionally friendly and clearly passionate about food and drink."
• "Our server was aware we were vegetarian too, so we were disappointed by the lack of clarity on the menu that was also ignored by the server."

Cons:

• "Staff did their job, but were totally disengaged."
• "The staff was really poorly trained. No conversation skills, the waitress seemed in a rush."
• "Miss the old chef and menu. No options for vegans where there were before, and no flexibility."
• "Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
• "Food was tasty, but portions were small. Drinks were late to arrive, came after the food."
• "The staff/owners are a delight and have such an infectious passion for their business that you can't help but love the service."
• "The waiter was lying, I asked to be sited outside, the waiter replied that the table is reserved, so I was dining inside, as I was about to leave, a couple went in and asked to be seated, they didn’t have any reservations, and they were seated in the exact spot where I wanted to sit outside."
• "The manager accepted a table of 6 people and had a table of 4 seats available when we arrived. His planned solution was to wait for an additional table to be freed up for 2 of the extra seats. This doesn’t really constitute proper service."

Food Quality and Variety

Pros:

• "Both food (small plates style) and white wine were delicious."
• "All dishes were amazing and the co*cktails were the best we've had in London."
• "Food outstanding, and the place has a low-lit, chilled vibe."
• "The pigeon was a stand out, really nicely cooked and great flavours."
• "The food was nice but it didn't blow us away."
• "Enjoyed the wild mushrooms and salad with the calamansi vinaigrette."
• "The food was well priced and very delicious."
• "If you go there you have to check-out the wild mushrooms and the croquettes! They are exceptionally good!"
• "The food was incredible, especially the rabbit and the heart of the duck."
• "Food outstanding, and the place has a low-lit, chilled vibe. Wild mushrooms were buttery perfect, squid carbonara had a spicy kick."
• "The food is superb, the service excellent and the location outstanding."
• "Amazing food! Brisket croquettes were crispy and perfect, the rabbit sliders were pleasantly plump, and the mushrooms with tarragon were unbelievably delicious."
• "Everything from the service to the food was 5/5 stars."
• "The food was delicious but the staff was really poorly trained."
• "The food was amazing. The steak and mushroom were a marriage made in heaven."
• "The food was so unique and has a complex flavour in a positive way!"
• "Every dish we ordered was perfectly executed, with an interesting combination of flavors."
• "The food was outstanding, and the staff guided us with informed suggestions."
• "Absolutely outstanding. The service, the food, the co*cktails; honestly among the best I’ve experienced."

Cons:

• "A little on the pricy side, some menu items felt more value for money than others."
• "Everything else was pleasant but nothing too inventive."
• "The food was nice but it didn't blow us away."
• "Worst dining experience of the last decade. If you think paying £13 for a few pieces of beetroot, and more than double that for chicken with foam on it is great, this place is for you."
• "Horrendously overpriced. The trout was drowned in huge amounts of lemony, salty liquid and was a tiny portion for only £23 pounds."
• "The food was ok, not great, but not bad either. However, the portion sizes are half of what you'd expect for the price, and you need to order 2-3 dishes per person."
• "Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
• "Food with good appearance but very greasy and - at times - weird in flavour."
• "Looked great from the onset. However, the food was terribly overpriced: £20 for a tiny little plate for the very average “seasonal” dishes."
• "I am frankly wondering if any of the people who left a 5 stars review have ever had decent food, not even good food, but decent food. Extremely salty or lacking taste."
• "Outrageously priced even for the area, quality of food is very volatile (tasty croquettes, over-cooked steak) with portions that are way too small for the price attached."
• "The menu is diverse and accommodates vegetarian if needed; drinks are great, and the service is exceptional."

Ambiance and Location

Pros:

• "Nice venue with a private feeling to it."
• "Small restaurant but nicely decorated with wooden panelling and painted metal grid infills."
• "The warm welcome and Japanese Scandi vibes inside are a welcome surprise."
• "A small restaurant for sure. They do have a dining area downstairs however it's not being use at the moment."
• "The cafe is quite small, has a nice terrace that is overlooking the street."
• "Fabulous! Our food was excellent, the service was extremely attentive, personal and informative, the decor is welcoming and comfortable especially the uniquely panelled staircase!"
• "Great ambiance, food and service. We went as a group of four and were seated outside which is heated and covered with provided blankets."
• "The space is well-designed and welcoming. It’s small, but has a great atmosphere."
• "Absolutely delightful restaurant. The food is delicious and made with great care."
• "The staff is professional and Vinay was particularly helpful and knowledgeable. I highly recommend a visit to Publik."
• "Shhh don't tell anyone! There's a great little restaurant tucked away close to the Royal Albert Hall. Amazing food, friendly welcome, biodynamic wine - great value for money!"
• "What a wonderful surprise to discover this little gem of a restaurant in Kensington. Tasty co*cktails, wonderful service and some of the most extraordinarily delicious food that we have had. Can't recommend them highly enough!"
• "Visited Publik for London co*cktail Week, what a great experience! We were served by Vinay who was very charming and made us feel at home. Great co*cktails and the wine and craft beer selection caught our eye as well as its from local and small producers, definitely worth a visit!"
• "Great food and very friendly staff!! The restaurant as well as the menu are small but of superb quality!"
• "What a wonderful place; it's elegant and relaxed, offering very good food and excellent co*cktails and wine."

Cons:

• "The only flaw was that when I asked for bread I didn't receive because they don't serve bread."
• "The manager was also condescending and unwelcoming towards us, saying “this is how they do things around here”."
• "The full experience was delightful, the service was great and really warm."
• "Unfortunately, 3 out of 4 people got food poisoning."
• "One tiny thing (which wouldn't change my rating) was as I had my 7 year old daughter with me (who was particularly hungry) it would be great to have had some bread or snacks a little more suited to young children, however the service was quick so she wasn't hungry for long!! :)"
• "It's not great to give out a bad review, but we didn't enjoy our experience. We reserved a table and were almost seated right on the road in front of the bus stop. When we asked to switch it, we were seated in a very uncomfortable bar even though the restaurant was empty."
• "This was a nice cozy little restaurant that my husband and I stopped at after visiting Hyde Park. The menu was seasonal and weirdly different from the one displayed on the fence right outside, which seems deceiving imo."

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