Whyte and Brown, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London – Review
Whyte and Brown celebrates the versatility of the beloved bird by offering a menu comprising entirely of chicken and egg dishes. We were curious to discover whether this risk could pay off in a market already flooded with chicken restaurants.
The delightful Kingly Court sits behind a tiny entrance in the middle of Carnaby Street- blink and you`d miss it, but the busy a fresco dining area of Whyte and Brown revealed many have already discovered its charms. The bright young things supping suggest this restaurant has already become popular with the trendy Soho set, and the interior supports this, bang on-trend as it is with grey interiors, concrete floors and industrial pipe work on display.
I`m fond of a good pun, so didn`t mind the somewhat obvious enquiry of `feeling peckish?` displayed on the menu board. Those who grow tired of the fowl puns .are probably the same punters who would find the menu limited. However, the dishes on offer demonstrate a diverse and imaginative range of international cuisine and for us it worked just fine.
Perhaps subconsciously hard-wired to consider the egg a humble ingredient, we opted entirely for chicken dishes. I began with the polenta crumb chicken strips. Whilst they were a little dry, the accompanying garlic mayonnaise was an excellent addition. My partner chose half a dozen croquette balls and these were better – the shredded chicken and pancetta had just the right balance of chives, lemon and béchamel.
Generally scathing of soup as a main course, my partner surprisingly opted for the Hanoi chicken noodle soup and this risk paid off. The white rice noodles, Bok choi, mint and coriander added substance, texture and colour to complement the spice. My two-ways chicken souvlaki worked well too- the chicken kebab was beautifully cooked, tender and moist. The accompanying Greek salad was basic but light and sufficient.
All dishes are served in chunky rustic crockery that suits both the organic produce and the size of the portions- you really get your money`s worth. The prices are also extremely reasonable for central London; a meal for two with accompanying organic beers came in at £50. The service was friendly and efficient and the restaurant delivered in terms of value and quality. For those who scoff that a chicken and egg restaurant is gimmicky, I urge you to give Whyte and Brown a go – you could be left with egg on your face.
Find out more at www.whyteandbrown.com
