The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £12 (lunch)
   £12 (evening meal)
• House wine: £9.95 per bottle

• High point: Soft sorbet
• Low point: Competition between TV and stereo
• Food served: Mon–Sun noon–10pm
• Bar open: Mon–Sun noon–midnight
• Private dining: D
• Open since: 2004
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Children's high chairs, Pre-theatre menu

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
– in the shops now or buy online.

Situated in a Kelvinbridge basement just off Great Western Road, The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen looks more sophisticated than the name might suggest, with floors, chairs and substantial square tables of polished wood, and a bright conservatory at the rear. It's a place for locals and those who don't like their bars too crowded on weekends (when DJs play), as well as anyone looking for a comfortable bite to eat. However, the multitude of TV screens, all seemingly on different channels, can be distracting for diners. There's a choice of ciabatta sandwiches and salads for lunches or lighter meals, and a more extensive menu. From the starters, a sharp red onion marmalade complements the sweetness of the chicken liver parfait it covers, while the spiciness of the chilli, garlic and tomato liquor with the steamed mussels is well judged. More evidence of the chef's skill with spice is evident in a moist, flaky fillet of salmon, which comes with a punchy cajun crust, and the chilli kick of a Thai green curry hiding good-sized pieces of chicken and vegetables in a creamy coconut milk. Scoops of lemon and orange sorbet make for a cooling and refreshing antidote. A wide range of events hosted here can include quizzes, wine tastings, live jazz and salsa classes.