Balans

187 Kensington High Street Kensington, London

Other locations in Soho and Chelsea

Tonight is my last night in London and I don't want to venture very far from the nest. I have a 6.40am flight tomorow and have to wake at 4am to go to the airport. Why did I do that?

I've passed Balans a million times while wandering both Soho and Kensington. The atmosphere is definity modern with a club like feel and dance music beating in the background. The patrons are pretty much like the music and interior, modern.

Starters at Balans all seem original and creative and include interesting dishes such as crispy duck salad and seared foie gras. The starter prices range from £5-8. Tonight I am going to be a bit boring and simply start with a green salad. Sorry!

Main courses are equally original and include dishes like chicken marinated in North African spices, duck confit, fuselli pasta in a pesto sauce, a thai stir fry and a few differnt fish selections. Main courses range from £7-12.

Sorry to be traditional but I can't leave London with having fish and chips (£10.95). At Balans it's battered cod served with chips and mushy peas (eat your heart out Eric!).

The main course was pretty good. The cod fish was served as a large chunk and it was crisp but not heavily battered or greasy. On the side were some large potato wedges that seemed to be baked rather than deep fried like a chip. They may have been deep fried but not as much as a traditional chip.

The dessert list has about 7 selections including English cheeses, New York cheesecake and an apple tart. All desserts are £4.75. I selected the pudding trio which includes sticky toffee, summer pudding and bread & butter pudding, with vanilla ice cream. That sound like a lot! I assure you that all 3 puddings are each a small, but tasty size. I think this can be shared between 2 people. I will try not to eat it all because I just want a taste! The sticky toffee is my favorite. It's so gooey and has a sweet caramel flavor. The bread and butter pudding is your traditional granny's style and the summer pudding is made with bread and lots of juicy summer berries. The summer pudding was a bit too sweet and jammy for my taste!

My total bill tonight was £20.98 including gratuity.

Note, quite often in London the gratuity is included in the bill. Be careful to look at your check so you don't pat twice.

The service at Balans is young and fast, but still very polite.

If you want to go to a restaurant and feel like you spent a night at the clubs (ciggy smoke and all), try Balans. The food isn't too bad.

(The club music sucks)

I'll give it 3 hearts.

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Comments

[eric]

How funny! My mouth started to water at the mention and then there I was right in the middle of your Blog.