Whits

thanksgiving dinner in london is not the kind of occasion one usually plans for but my brother and my sister in law was in town and they wanted a turkey dinner. the four of us was preparing a decent dinner based on reviews but was not prepared for an exceptional take on what is usually an american tradition. everything from the butternut squash soup, turkey ball stuffed with a prune and stuffing, to the pecan pie was way above par. atmosphere added to the evening. quaint, low key but can be very romantic if you are in the mood. the seating is intimate and cozy. one should make reservations for it fills up quickly — especially during the holidays.

What a lovely find! This is a lovely restaurant — intimate, welcoming and the food is fantastic. Highly recommend!

Love this restaurant, its a small family run french restaurant with very classy décor. We came on a friday night and we were able to book a table online the night before. We ordered the lobster ravioli appetizer which was pretty big for an appetizer and the ravioli was generously stuffed with lobster meat. For entrée I ordered the scallop risotto which was cooked perfectly. My husband ribeye steak was huge!!! It was cooked perfect medium and seasoned really well! Their dessert menu all looked really good, we chose the banana soufflé which was good but a little bit banana overload in my opinion as it came with side of banana icecream and another banana flavored side pastry.
One star off because it was really hot in the restaurant with not much air circulation. Also their credit card machine broke for the night… But overall i highly recommend Whits if you are in town in london and getting sick of the fish and chips and pies/​mash etc.

I went here to celebrate my bf’s bday last night. I made a reservation in advance but had to change it last minute. The staff was very accommodating. Once we sat down, Eva brought over two glasses of complimentary brut for the event. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very cozy and romantic at the same time. The food was very delicious and well cooked. The lobster ravioli appetizer and the butternut squash soup were both brilliant. The lamb and the duck were mouth watering. I’ll definitely go back there again.

A little, stylish gem of a restaurant!
Lobster ravioli, and langoustine bisque appetizers — beautiful and delicious!
Scottish ribeye, and duck mains — both mouthwatering and gorgeous!
Service — flawless. Ambience — charming. Value for money — perfect.
Although I’m not sure when I’ll be staying in this area again, when I do I’ll be back to this restaurant.
I’ve been to other French restaurants in London, but this one was probably my favorite so far!

It is a good restaurant with solid french food. The setting is very nice and it has a great atmosphere. For me food just missed a bit of excitement or surprise. As I said it is solid but I have to say that it wasn’t as memorable as I had hoped. Might go back, but I think I will keep on looking for a another great french restaurant in London…

This is a wonderful restaurant with the most delicious food from a plentiful but not overly complex menu. But the food is only part of the offering.
This is not a huge establishment but they made room for all of the tables here, they do not try and cram people in, quality not quantity counts here.
The service was incredibly outstanding, we were ushered through the whole evening by the manageress who took very good care of our party of four and never made us feel rushed or pushed us to ‘hurry and leave’.
The food arrived with efficiency and not early or late, the advice given for each meal was spot on without ever having to ‘check with the chef’, I like it that the people serving you know everything about the food they serve!
The wine list was very good and very expensive, but, it really was good… for the life of me I can’t remember the name if the wine!
A really great find, you will enjoy a fantastic evening here and it’s only around the corner from easy transport links, so it’s very easy to get to.

Very good food in a classy but unpretentious atmosphere.

Excellent food, excellent service, highly recommend! Will go again next time I’m in London.

Pics@Chopstix2Steaknives

my visiting friends chose this as it ranked in the top few spots on Trip Advisor. Interesting indeed as I have never thought to look at Trip Advisor for their restaurant suggestions for London.
Of course I had to read up on a few reviews to have an idea the experiences of previous diners and it has many a positive reviews. It was with open enthusiasm that I made my way there.
The lady who welcomed us in greeted us with inviting warmth that instantly made us feel relaxed and at home. We placed our orders and couldn’t wait to tuck in.
Lobster and scallop ravioli with buttered spinach and lobster sauce £9.75
The sweetness of the lobster and scallop hints at the palate which was not overpowered by the spinach and lobster sauce at all. The sauce was smooth and rich and creamy and yet light.
Smooth parfait of chicken liver and foie gras with confit onions and brioche toast £7.25
I did enjoy the chicken liver and foie gras but there was so much of it that it just overwhelms you after a while. Too rich and heavy.
Roast fillet of wild sea bass, chorizo, calamari, piquillo peppers, mussel and sea urchin broth £17.75
The sea bass was cooked just right with a nice crispy skin with the broth and seafood adding a depth in flavour.
Assiette of pork: roast fillet, braised cheek, pork belly croquette, stuffed trotter, black pudding and crisp crackling £17.50
Tournedoes of Scottish fillet steak with roast bone marrow and girolle mushrooms, shallot puttee and shallot jus £19.95
Briochette of calves liver and kidneys, baby vegetables and grain mustard sauce £15.75
I didn’t try the rest of the mains but the dining party enjoyed their mains.
Assiette of English raspberries: hot soufflé, fresh raspberry ripple ice cream and poached in raspberry liquor £8.75
Dessert was the only thing that was a disappointment. The raspberry soaked in its own liquor in the martini glass was just wrong. It was too sour and just did not taste nice to me. The hot soufflé and ice cream were OK.
I actually think this is a good French restaurant worthy of consideration if you like your Fench cuisine. Food is cooked and made well, the staff is friendly and in a lovely environment. Just maybe stay away from the Assiette of English raspberries.

my visiting friends chose this as it ranked in the top few spots on Trip Advisor. Interesting indeed as I have never thought to look at Trip Advisor for their restaurant suggestions for London.
Of course I had to read up on a few reviews to have an idea the experiences of previous diners and it has many a positive reviews. It was with open enthusiasm that I made my way there.
The lady who welcomed us in greeted us with inviting warmth that instantly made us feel relaxed and at home. We placed our orders and couldn’t wait to tuck in.
Lobster and scallop ravioli with buttered spinach and lobster sauce £9.75
The sweetness of the lobster and scallop hints at the palate which was not overpowered by the spinach and lobster sauce at all. The sauce was smooth and rich and creamy and yet light.
Smooth parfait of chicken liver and foie gras with confit onions and brioche toast £7.25
I did enjoy the chicken liver and foie gras but there was so much of it that it just overwhelms you after a while. Too rich and heavy.
Roast fillet of wild sea bass, chorizo, calamari, piquillo peppers, mussel and sea urchin broth £17.75
The sea bass was cooked just right with a nice crispy skin with the broth and seafood adding a depth in flavour.
Assiette of pork: roast fillet, braised cheek, pork belly croquette, stuffed trotter, black pudding and crisp crackling £17.50
Tournedoes of Scottish fillet steak with roast bone marrow and girolle mushrooms, shallot puttee and shallot jus £19.95
Briochette of calves liver and kidneys, baby vegetables and grain mustard sauce £15.75
I didn’t try the rest of the mains but the dining party enjoyed their mains.
Assiette of English raspberries: hot soufflé, fresh raspberry ripple ice cream and poached in raspberry liquor £8.75
Dessert was the only thing that was a disappointment. The raspberry soaked in its own liquor in the martini glass was just wrong. It was too sour and just did not taste nice to me. The hot soufflé and ice cream were OK.
I actually think this is a good French restaurant worthy of consideration if you like your Fench cuisine. Food is cooked and made well, the staff is friendly and in a lovely environment. Just maybe stay away from the Assiette of English raspberries.

I think this might be the nicest restaurant I’ve ever been to in London. So far, anyway.
Whits feels old-​school, but not in a dated kind of way. The décor is understated but elegant, and the service is formal yet friendly. Definitely a restaurant for a special night out this one. They do an exquisite a la carte menu or, if you’re on more of a budget, a fixed price deal.
I had the delicious lobster ravioli to start, followed by duck (cooked two ways, no less) and a trio of chocolate desserts. My mum had filet steak and it was honestly the best cut of beef I’d ever tasted — it melted in the mouth and you didn’t even need a steak knife to slice through it.
We went on a Thursday night and it wasn’t too busy; I can imagine it’s pretty popular among Kengsingtonians on weekends.
If you have a TasteCard you get 50% off you first visit to Whits for up to two people Monday — Thursday, which made our first trip here ever so slightly more affordable.

I have been to Whits quite a number of times, and I keep coming back because the food is great, the service friendly, and the atmosphere relaxing. It is my favorite place to have dinner by myself on a work night.
The owner lady recognized me the second time I came and even remembered what I like to drink. She is helpful about making recommendations and explaining the menu items. She’ll chat with you if you want to, and leave you alone if you don’t.
The menu changes over time, but the dishes always range from very competent to quite delightful. Menu Prix Doux is usually a good value for money. They serve tasty bread from big baskets, but it’s not always fresh, I’ve found.
Many folks make reservations, though I don’t think they are necessary for 1 – 3 people. If you’re seated in the front half of the restaurant (in front of the bar), check out the little airplane silhouette on the skylight. You can only see it in daylight, and it’s fun to watch it up there like a real plane in the sky. I always imagine myself going on a trip somewhere far away, flying into the sunshine…

This was an unforgettable meal, since this is where I had Foie Gras for the very first time and I enjoyed it immensely.
The restaurant is located on a side street and can easily be missed if you don’t know about it. The restaurant offers an interesting menu. I shared a meal with my girlfriends — It was day of shopping and we ended the day with a great meal at Whits.
We had made reservations so upon arrival we were promptly seated and a basket of freshly baked warm bread was brought out. Between us we shared Foie Gras, Lobster Ravioli, Steak Tartar; Duck cooked 3 ways, Terraine and Lamb. Needless to say the food was well presented, flavorful and cooked well.
The service was attentive, we didn’t feel rushed. The restaurant has a nice ambience and is a good place for a romantic dinner, a casual dinner with friends or a family dinner. The Maître D’ (Her name is Eva) runs the front of the house and her partner is the Chef (Steve Whitney).
We were so full after our meal but the Chef came out with complimentary chocolate dessert for us that we just couldn’t refuse. It was nice to meet with the Chef and chat with him for a bit. We thanked him for the dessert — it was divine!
My friends and I have returned to Whits and have never been disappointed with the food or the service.