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Chez Kristof is the third restaurant by Yan Woroniecki, owner of Baltic and Wodka. But this is his first venture into French cooking, and also his first establishment in west London, a market saturated with great dining experiences. Chez Kristof is tucked between Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith and is mildly inaccessible - but on the evidence of this visit, it will win admiration from foodies across the capital. On a quiet Monday night, it was evident that local diners have already taken the place into their hearts.
A Shepherd's Bush local had warned us that the service was the only flaw at Chez Kristof and could be rather stand-offish, but we were given a warm, enthusiastic reception. Although this might stem from our decision to visit with a birthday party of beautiful girls. In any event, the waiting staff were friendly, knowledgeable and efficient, as they needed to be, ferrying extravagant portions of food to our party.
The French style of the place is married to a menu which lovingly details the source of ingredients. For instance, when we visited the specials revolved around red Devonshire beef - my main was a delicious port au feu of oxtail and in an exotically thin stock which was served from the pot at the table. The attention to detail in every part of the meal was complemented by the serving style - when a dish arrives steaming in a miniature cassoulet dish, it certainly makes you feel warm and well looked after.
The menu is long on stews, roasts and other staple French classics, with a good number of fish dishes and a short but excellent selection of Parisienne desserts - from which the tarte tatin stood out, elegantly stacked and wonderfully scented with cinnamon, we paused in admiration for a good three seconds before demolishing it.
From a party of six there were no bum notes, although those who had the hearty meat dishes were better fed than ladies who picked at rather small sea breams and a tiny (but exquisite) Dover sole. The house wine (from an impressively large and fairly priced cellar) was robust and well suited to the strong Gallic flavours of the meal. Topped off with careful, welcoming service and a stylish choice of background music, this was an entirely convivial meal. |
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Alternative
French Cuisine Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Dining |
| The Belvedere |
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Off Abbotsbury Road,
Holland Park,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W8
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26 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| The Belvedere is the most sophisticated of West London’s celebrity hangouts. Set inside a beautiful building in the heart of Holland Park, it is the ...More...
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| London Dining |
| La Trompette |
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5-7
Devonshire Road,
Hounslow,
London,
W4
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30 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| This Chiswick restaurant is one of London’s best kept secrets. La Trompette is the best French restaurant in London within this price range. Dinner for ...More...
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Local
Dining Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Dining |
| Brackenbury |
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129
Brackenbury Road,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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4 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| The Brackenbury is a local treasure. Tucked away down a leafy West London side street it offers gourmet food at ridiculously reasonable prices. A timely ...More...
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| London Dining |
| Dartmouth Castle |
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26
Glenthorne Road,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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5 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| A world away from the chain shops and identikit booming bars that centre around Hammersmith's busy high street and transport hub, the Dartmouth Castle is ...More...
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Local
Hotels Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Hotels |
| K West Hotel & Spa |
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Richmond Way,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W14
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14 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| It may be housed in a modern 1960s office block but with its contemporary design the K West is a funky place to stay with ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Hilton Kensington |
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179-199
Holland Park Avenue,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W114UL
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19 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Located in London’s fashionable Kensington, near the tranquil delights of Holland Park, stay in one of over 600 beautifully decorated guestrooms. Providing all the facilities ...More...
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Local
Event Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Event |
| Radioplay |
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The Lyric Studio,
King Street,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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8 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| A garrulous National Express coach driver wiles away a long journey by regaling passengers with tales from his family life, which are brought to life ...More...
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| London Event |
| Spyski |
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The Lyric Hammersmith,
King Street,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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8 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Following up their absurdly entertaining version of 'Hound of the Baskervilles', Peepolykus are updating another Edwardian classic to work with a cast of three, rudimentary ...More...
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Ravenscourt Theatre School |
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8-30
Galena Road,
Hammersmith,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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9 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| During the week the Ravenscourt Theatre School is a vocational school for children aged 7 - 16 but every Saturday they throw the doors open ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Ravenscourt Park |
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Ravenscourt Avenue,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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12 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Ravenscourt Park is a scenic green space with a selection of tennis courts - spread out in three areas of the park - basketball court, ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Shopping |
| Warren Evans Furniture |
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240
Trussley Road,
Hammersmith,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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2 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Handmade wooden beds, matresses and furniture that are a class above your average flat packed homeware. All the timber is ethically sourced and fairly traded, ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Boomerang |
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69
Blythe Road,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W14
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10 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Crammed with baby goodies, this is the number one stop for mothers-to-be. With a plethora of eye-catching babygros and vests you’ll have a well-dressed ...More...
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Local
Education Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Education |
| King Street College |
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47
Shepherd's Bush Green,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W12
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10 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| This school teaches about 800 students from 40 different countries, offering general and exam focused English language courses for adults.
Students prepare for the Cambridge exams ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Leisure |
| Holmes Place |
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181
Hammersmith Road,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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11 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| A chain of upmarket health clubs and gyms. The different clubs vary but they tend to have all the latest fitness equipment in fully air ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Pubs |
| Blue Anchor |
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13
Lower Mall,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W6
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13 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Tucked away in the shadow of Hammersmith Bridge this small, but perfectly formed, traditional riverside pub offers a peaceful retreat from the chaos of Hammersmith’s ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| The Stinging Nettle |
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55
Goldhawk Road,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W12
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8 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Where the Bushranger used to be we now have The Stinging Nettle, a far superior upgrade to what was there before. Improvements start with a ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Chez Kristof |
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| London Nightlife |
| Ginglik |
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1
Shepherds Bush Green,
Hammersmith and Fulham,
London,
W12
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13 minutes distance from Chez Kristof
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| Sadly, this unique club under Shepherd's Bush Green in a former public toilet is due to close early in 2009. Rather than taking this lying ...More...
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Local
Business Near Chez Kristof |
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