Archangel Overview
The Archangel is situated opposite the Royal Garden Hotel on Kensington High Street, just a 5 minute walk from the tube station. Spread over three floors, the venue boasts a basement nightclub with a 2am licence and 250 person capacity, ground floor bar and seating area, and a flight of wooden stairs at the far end leading up to the impressive Conservatory and Cocktail Bar with a large glass ceiling.
A Bohemian style décor echoes throughout with unique mirrors, paintings, rugs and chandeliers that look like they may have been gathered from flea markets from someone’s exotic travels. Deep red walls and candles add to the relaxed ambience that invites you to chill out and catch up with friends.
My friend and I visited on a Thursday night, and although it was reasonably quiet there was a nice buzz about the place. After a day at the office the cocktails looked very tempting. I opted for the venue’s signature Archangel, after being won over by the original list of ingredients including, strawberries, basil, cracked black pepper, rum, peach liqueur, pineapple juice and cachaça. It was garnished with a whole strawberry wrapped in mint and had a very crisp, fresh taste. A definite must try. My friend opted for one of her favourites, Black Apple Mule, which is a mix of apple vodka, blackberry puree, fresh lime, ginger puree and ginger beer. She assured me that it was a winner and after sampling it, I have to agree.
The vast drinks menu is Archangel’s main selling point. The discerning drinker couldn’t fail to be pleased by the great selection of different rums, gins, tequilas, scotch malts and bottled beers available; cocktail lovers will revel in the plethora of classic and contemporary mixes; and for those with something to celebrate, there’s a selection of champagnes.
The food menu offers a broad selection of bar snacks including olives and homemade falafel, and for larger appetites, a choice of burgers, sandwiches and mains – including baby squid and the comfort food favourite, fish finger sandwich. There is also a good choice of shared platters and a children’s menu. Food is reasonably priced and served from midday to 1am Monday to Saturday and 12.30am on Sunday, so there really is no excuse to head to grab a dodgy doner on your way home.
I chose the RedVeg burger, largely because it was advertised as ‘probably the best vegetarian burger you’ll ever taste’. It consisted of a double burger in a seeded bun and came served with a more than ample portion of fries. I’m not sure it was the best I have ever tasted, but it satisfied my taste buds and didn’t disappoint. My friend’s choice, however, looked and tasted fantastic. She opted for the Tuna Nicoise Salad; I had earlier shunned it presuming it would be the usual meagre tinned tuna offering. I was very wrong. The dish, consisting of a grilled tuna steak, cooked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection, sautéed new potatoes, free range boiled egg, olives and mixed seasonal salad leaves, was of a generous size and induced a serious case of food envy in me. My friend rated it the best she’d tried and was still raving about it the next day. Judging by the number of different tables tucking enthusiastically into the nachos, it was obvious that that is also something they do very well.
The Archangel has a lot more to offer than the usual bar and restaurant. Theme nights such as Tango every other Sunday and a range of DJs catering for a variety of musical tastes, from reggae to club classics, ensures that there is something for everyone. The staff are friendly and approachable, and although we spent a while pondering over our food and drink choices we didn’t feel rushed. In fact, if it hadn’t have been a ‘school night’ we could quite happily have relaxed into one of the cosy sofas for a while longer and sampled a few more of the delicious cocktails.
Gabrielle Sander (Updated 02/07/2008)
Additional Info: Cocktails, Late License, DJ, Dancing License, Security, Cloakroom, Food, Non-Smoking Area, Cocktails Recommended, Live Music
Nearby Venues:
- One, North African (0.00km)
- Zaika Restaurant, Indian (0.00km)
- Lee Garden Chinese, [Other/Unclassified] (0.00km)
- Giraffe (Kensington), [Other/Unclassified] (0.00km)
- Brasserie Chez Gerard, French (0.00km)
- Arcadia Restaurant, Italian (0.07km)
- La Bodeguita Del Medio, Cuban (0.08km)
- Park Terrace Restaurant & Bar at the Royal Garden, International (0.10km)
- Tenth (The), Modern British (0.10km)
- Chenestons, [Other/Unclassified] (0.11km)
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