Balham Bar & Kitchen

I have have had a few mixed experiences with service at this restaurant, but the food has always been delicious. The first time I visited I sat away from the kitchen, on the left hand side of the restaurant, which was pleasantly quiet, with an attentive, polite waitor. The seond time I visited was at Christmas, and when I turned up the waitress who greeted me didn't have any record of my booking! My boyfriend and I ended up sitting by the open kitchen, which was quite noisy and bustling with people, but quite bearable if you're in the mood. When I wrote to complain about my missed booking, the manager replied with a letter, apologising and offering me a free bottle of champagne upon my next return visit, so you can't really complain about that! This is definitely not the restaurant for those who want a subdued, romantic evening, but the food (especially the scallops with black beans and the yummy puddings) has never failed yet.
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Sarah
Friday, April 23, 2004