Birthday Lunch at Babylon Restaurant, The Roof Gardens, Kensington

We turned 25 on Tuesday. We wanted to have a 'Birthday Breakfast' somewhere nice, but we had trouble finding somewhere nice. Well, no, that's a lie. I just knew I wouldn't be able to get up early enough so I decided we would have 'Birthday Lunch' instead, that too in style because we are now a stylish age. Boom. 

I booked a 'Table for 2' in the early hours of our birthday, and for this reason I must express my gratitude to the Internet and my Samsung SII, (thank you Internet, thank you Samsung SII). It was a last-minute booking but I must say the food, ambiance and hospitality of the staff has left a lasting impression. 

What? Lunch

Where? 99 High Street Kensington, London, W8 5SA

Why? 25th Birthday Lunch 

When? 13:30

Who? Sukhman and Hernoor (Identical Twins, yaa)

The experience began with a fifteen minute drive to South Ealing Station. We parked the car and got on the Piccadilly Line to alight at Earls Court, where a District Line change would take us to High Street Kensington. Strutting our stuff in our heels over to the entrance of number 99, we were greeted by a sleekly dressed woman who walked us over to the Lift and waited with us until it arrived on the Ground Floor. First Brownie Point for the day awarded for this personal service. 

Floor 7. Ping. Welcome to Babylon. 

'Good Afternoon Ladies, Welcome to Babylon. May we take your blazers?' (Well, not really but I feel bad you already have the hanger out and waiting). By this point we felt really important because we were the only young (looking) ones in the room. I'm sure there were people in there looking 50 but feeling 17, and if so, good on them! 'Would you like a window seat Ladies?' Tip: if you are at Babylon and are asked this question, don't hesitate to say 'yes'. That's the whole point of this restaurant - that you can see the (partial) skyline of London. 

Here's a picture of Hernoor looking well happy with the experience so far.

''Life's Good''
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Follow Hernoor at twinstagrammer2

Here's a picture of me looking prim and proper about to tuck into my Main of Mackerel and Tagliatelli 

(scroll down to read food review of individual courses).

''Check out them chunky chips''
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Here is the Set Lunch Menu to view:

http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/resources/pdfs/the_roof_gardens/babylon/food_and_drink/SetLunch.pdf

It wasn't difficult for me to choose what I was going to delight myself with because I like the lightness of soup, the chewy texture of fish and the creaminess of Tiramisu. I was ready to order in under a minute. Surprisingly for October, it was a sunny day and I do like apple juice with mint, so that was the drink covered for the day.

Sukhman's order with review:

Drink

Apple Mojito
Mint, lime, sugar and apple juice

This was a truly tangy, snappy and refreshingly crisp juice, chilled and ideal for that extra sweetness my palette was badly craving. 5/5. 

 Starter

Sweet Corn Soup (V)

With coriander oil and red chilli

Frothy and light, the flavour of the sweetcorn was sweetly subtle. But, I did get a red chilli having an unexpected party at the back of my throat which was not cool (pun intended) . I don't like chillies. Blame the chilli for the score of 4/5.

Main and Side Order
Grilled Line Caught Cornish Mackerel with Tagliatelle pasta, smoked mackerel cream, horseradish and sorrel and a side order of Buttered New Potatoes

There was just the right amount of Mackerel fillet and pasta in the plate. The fish which was grilled with a golden glow, sat on a bed of tagliatelli which had the mackerel cream poured over it. The  overall flavour was mildly smoky. 5/5. The buttered potatoes came in varied sizes in a separate bowl with spoon. Did my knife slice down them with ease? You bet. 4/5 because I have a small stomach and was really saving room for dessert. 

Dessert
Tiramisu Pot
With coffee ice cream

Cream delicately tasting yet thick in texture, topped over moist sponge soaked in coffee with that bittersweet kick is what keeps making me come back to this dessert again and again. Oh, and the ice cream had a very slight crunch to it which I thought worked really well with the creamy factor. Some Tiramisu's can end up tasting very 'watery' because they are frozen and pre-packaged. Not this baby. It came out in a jar too. It looked the part and certainly delivered. Job well done. 5/5

Then there was the 'Surprise' after the dessert: a complimentary coffee flavoured cream mousse thingy encased in shards of dark chocolate. Check out the Birthday Message written in Chocolate sauce!

If you are looking for an affordable, stylish and swanky venue for a random Lunch, this is it. A good menu to select from, staff who make you feel like you are really rich, and an atmosphere which isn't too pretentious (bonus points for having a garden on the roof, hello?!). This is one Babylon which you just gotta visit, baby.

'Dont just be Inspired. Be Twinspired'

Sukhman