Kala

I had to change the booking for a table for 2 to a table for 1 and was a bit apprehensive about eating alone, but I had nothing to worry about. The staff were friendly without being gushy and totally efficient and professional.
On entry the bar area looked really inviting, upstairs the dining room was fine, and I wasn't seated next to the loo (actually to be fair there are no "bad" tables). The menu choice was great and I was given enough time to read it, have a think and then order. When the food came, well, I was blown away. It was superb. The starter, chicory, was blissful and I really didn't think that the main could live up to that, but it did. I was tempted to ask if the pickled onions could be avoided but decided to risk it...if the chef thinks that's needed well who am I to question that. Correct decision. The roasted cauliflower was sublime. I don't think I have ever eaten a better meal. Even the coffee was good!
So, a New Year's Resolution was made there and then, in 2020 I will eat at all 6 Elite Bistros.

Beautiful plates of food. Simple ingredients, expertly prepared. Unpretentious yet imaginative. Exciting to both salivate over and consume! Can’t rate it highly enough. The cocktails, the food and not least of all the staff! Kala cares about it all. Sitting at the restaurant or the bar, the experience is one to be savoured.

We had our meal at the bar this time. Food was superb, staff amazing as always. Had a lovely bottle of wine nicely decanted. Absolutely love this place!

From the minute we stepped through the door, the staff could not have done anything more to meet our every need. One of our guests was very late, but the team worked really hard to ensure we still had an excellent experience. The food, as ever, was delicious. Thank you.

Never fails to impress me. Great food and service. Thoroughly recommend Kala.

We eat early, pre theatre dinner. Excellent value, really good food. Not too many in at that time and concrete floor made it a bit noisy. Service was very good.

We visited Kala for lunch to celebrate my birthday. From the start of our visit we were made to welcome. The service was excellent and the waiters very attentive. We had the shared sirloin steak with truffle and Parmesan fries. Everything was delicious. We decided not to have a pudding. ( Both in our sixties, unfortunately our appetites aren’t what they used to be.) When the bill arrived we got a plate with a couple of very tasty sweets and a happy birthday message written in chocolate, a lovely touch. Thank you Kala we do hope to visit you again soon.

An excellent lunch for me and 3 friends. Very friendly staff and food exceptionally good

Beautiful food, vibe and surroundings. Attentive but relaxed waiting on team. Generous portions. Good value for money.

Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Kala. Excellent service, great food (simple, unfussy menu) and an interesting wine list. Very happy customer - thank you.

Sunday roast done simply and well
Chilled atmosphere
Great food
Efficient and friendly service

Excellent food, wine, cocktails, service and ambience, couldn’t fault any of it.
A perfect evening.
Couldn’t recommend highly enough.

Lovely food, excellent service from John and delicious cocktails from James. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

Fabulous meal
Food was excellent, wine choice very good.
Service was brilliant, very attentive and helpful.

Food was very good and the service was professional and pleasant.

Second visit to Kala having visited Sticky Walnut and Hispi in the past
Food was excellent- good portions and very tasty- also enjoyed the cheese - one between two definitely adequate
Was noisy so slightly difficult to hear but there were parties in for Christmas and it wouldnt put me off
Katie helped us choose the wine and gave a good recommendation - she was very pleasant and professional giving us time on a busy session

I went to Kala when it first opened and was a little disappointed having been to Hispi previously, however this time it didn't disappoint it was perfect

We had a celebration lunch on Mon 2nd Dec for our 30th wedding anniversary, and it was our first visit to Kala. A very stylish restaurant with a lovely ambience. Wonderful service from the staff who were very welcoming and efficient, and we didn't feel at all hurried. I was a little disappointed with the soup which could have done with a bit more flavour, but our main courses were absolutely delicious (my husband had bream, and I had the fabulous roast cauliflower with butterbean mash). One of our side dishes - the truffle and parmesan chips - were to die for! Didn't have room for a dessert but maybe next time!
Kala is definitely worth all the accolades it is receiving and we will definitely be visiting again.

Great Sunday lunch and wonderful staff.
Service was warm and attentive but only when we needed it. Food came at a good pace but wasn't hurried.
Food was delicious. Stars were the carrots with the burrata, the roast cauliflower, the broccoli soup and the roast beef gravy. All delicious.
Overall, a relaxed venue, brilliant staff and very good value

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!! How all bistros should be - great food, great service and a really cool but unassuming atmosphere.

Had a great Sunday lunch at Kala. The food was lovely - had to wat a bit for my main but the waiter explained what was happening and I had a free coffee. Had Turkey for thr main and honeycomb ice cream dessert. Will come again

We dined at Kala for my Father in Laws birthday and we felt really welcomed by the staff. The food was excellent and really generous in portion sizes.

Mostly really great food, especially the gnocchi, venison and pigs head croquette. Great service, nice wines too and fairly reasonable for a special meal

I found the food OK but not very tasty. It was all a little bland to be honest and not good value for money. I felt like I was paying fine dining prices but not getting the taste experiance I expected.

This was our first time at Kala and it won't be the last! The whole dining experience was excellent, with exceptional food and friendly service. Overall, excellent value for money.

Fabulous food, friendly and efficient service. Just a little clattery, but we got used to it and managed to stay nearly til dinner service! Interesting natural wine selection too.

Decided to book after reading a review in the Sunday Times earlier this year.
Everything lived up to our expectations and more.
Will be back again soon.

Not very good at all. Puddings are fine but the rest of the food is way below par for the price. My cod was under seasoned, over cooked, and not hot enough. The place is not comfortable enough, more like a cafeteria than a pricey brasserie...some blinds on the big side windows and table cloths would help...

Fantastic food - really interesting. 3 course early bird offer is excellent value. Really good cocktail too! Highly recommend.

Very relaxed atmosphere, food tasty and well presented.

The food is good but not outstanding. My wife sent her's back as it was not warm enough. However it was tasty. Staff excellent. Surroundings pleasant but a place for an intimate dinner date. There was quite a buzz about the place but not sooud that we had problems hearing ourselves. Interesting and not over expensive wine list. Note the specials.

Great food and the lunch time menu very good value. Quite a large open space upstairs, ideal for a large party but there are tables for two along both sides.

I was overall very impressed, greeted well, the roast dinner service was prompt between courses and very very nice for the value I have to say.

The bits of criticism we had was that we felt the response time from sitting down to have a waiter come over to take our drinks or food order was too slow, the other observation I personally had was to witness the kitchen staff arguing behind the counter. However during mid service, collecting plates, accommodating our dietary requirements and bringing the next course was superb, very likeable and friendly staff and very reasonably priced.

We would and are definitely coming again.

Tom

On arrival the staff were friendly immediately putting us at ease. It had a cosy atmosphere and was buzzing. The food is absolutely amazing especially the featherblade steak and the Creme Brulee. Great selection of wine and alcohol and also a great location. Would definitley come back.

Absolutely faultless as always the desserts are absolutely amazing

Excellent food and great service .

Great restaurant overall. One dish out of ten misfired, the mackerel starter. Everything else was better than 'good'. Pate, croquettes and featherblade are all as good as everyone says. Set menu is good value you are not short changed compared to the alc. Booze is good and you can have interesting beer too. Can't wait to go back

Good food, great service (our poor waitress was really poorly but still lively, helpful and just the right amount of attentive), the Lincolnshire poacher cauliflower cheese and the custard tart are absolute must haves if you go. Everything else was delicious tasty and wholesome. My husband had to stop on the way out and pass our regards on to the dessert chef for the custard tart, seriously will dream about it, he was lovely too. Love how the staff all seem to love working there and are happy and fun.... plus the food is Devine..... please let us have the custard tart recipe?????

Very buzzy modern bistro. Nice cooking and presentation.
The venison dish was a dream and the cream brûlée the best, interesting how many other places get this simple dish wrong, not here.
The wine list is well chosen and presented with good by the glass choices. Coudoulet beaucastel made me happy 😃
Don’t go for a quiet corner as the room is noisy.

Fantastic gluten free options, very similar to what is already on offer - extremely busy at lunch time so book in advance - so worth it.