With an impressive résumé boasting success stories as far afield as Moscow, Baku and St. Petersburg, I headed over to Putney to check out Kitchenette - the Turkish-inspired cafe, bar and brasserie - with eager anticipation.
The Venue
Step through the grand revolving door and you'll be made to feel instantly at home inside this endearing eatery. My friend and I were greeted warmly before the charming waitress showed us to our table. Kitchenette is an intimate venue that comes kitted out in soothing, earthy tones that pay homage to the restaurant's Istanbul heritage. The folks in charge have made good use of the space, with the open-planned venue featuring a sprinkling of tables that are drawn up to comfy seating and a stylish bar that proudly displays an army of drinks.
We visited for dinner but I imagine that the restaurant comes into its element in the day-time, as natural light floods through large windows to create an airy, relaxing ambience. There's also a few tables outside, which must prove a massive hit once summer rolls around.
The earthly tones at Kitchenette go some way to setting up a calming and welcoming atmosphere.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
Kitchenette effortlessly generates a welcoming vibe via it's super friendly staff. There's some soft background music, audible enough to generate a slight buzz but in no way too loud to stifle your conversation. The bar was not busy, with a smattering of friends catching up over a drink at the bar and couples enjoying a date night.
Why not head over to Kitchenette for some afternoon tea and a browse of the papers?
The Food and Drinks
There's plenty of Mediterranean dishes for guests to choose from, like the Mezze platter for two and Kul Basti - an offering of thinly sliced lamb, sautéed potatoes and peppers. It's not just Turkish cuisine on offer though, as the extensive menu comes crammed full of fish, meat and pasta as well as a selection of sandwiches and salads too. My Beetroot & Coriander Soup starter was absolutely fantastic and set the tone for what was to follow, as my Chicken Schnitzel and Cardamom Chocolate Mousse really hit the spot too. My friend polished off his Rack of Lamb with consummate ease, which did all the talking. Prices are great, too, with mains coming in at around £12-£14, and the delectable Chocolate Brownie is yours for a mere £3.95!
There's also a compelling wine list to match, with strong white, red and rose options to suit any palate, and although we didn't have any cocktails on this occasion, the bartenders spent much of the evening whipping up a whole host of tasty looking concoctions.
There's no shortage of tasty options to choose from here
Summary
In short, Kitchenette is an absolute must-visit. The venue fuses a great range of lovely food and drink with top service, and prices are incredibly reasonable. Kitchenette is a true all-rounder that will extend a warm welcome to its guests any time of day. A top asset to the Putney scene.
