Finding Veganuary a slog? Treat yourself to a night out at KIN
We can all be guilty of making January a much harder month than it needs to be with huge changes to our eating habits and exercise routines, as well as stripping back on the things we enjoy, like eating out.
Well, with restaurants like KIN opening this month, focusing on nourishing food-centric plants, there's no reason to miss out on the good things in life because of new January rituals.
The vibe
If you've been to KIN's café before (which sits right next door) you'll recognise the same warm interior style. Earthy olives, muted pinks and dusty blues add to timber-clad floors and tables, rattan-backed chairs and golden-orb lights.
On a particularly glum January evening, through large glass windows and Euro-style striped awning, this scene is immediately inviting.
Although not overly buzzy (you can probably thank the sub-zero temperatures on a Tuesday evening in January for that), upon entering, the comforting sounds of clinking glasses and low chatter signal you've arrived somewhere lovely.
There is a mixture of squashy banquettes and wooden chairs to choose from and a private dining room downstairs for larger parties. The relaxed atmosphere feels more suited to dinner with a close friend than a raucous meal for six (again, let's blame this on January), but this makes it an excellent choice for a post-office pitstop before returning home to my chilly flat.
The food
KIN's menu, dreamt up by executive chef Shayan Shams, is entirely plant-based. It's split into small plates, which include a menu highlight – broad bean croquettes on creamed butter beans and dill, large plates, desserts and a selection of homemade relishes to accompany your choice of dishes.
There is a small selection of waste-free cocktails – a Bellini, Mimosa, Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz and a classic G&T, as well as a bijou wine list and a few craft ales. If you're eschewing the booze, you can opt for kombucha (my personal alcohol-free choice) or soft drinks.
Our meal started with the aforementioned broad bean croquettes, sticky glazed tofu with cashew-carrot dip, ponzu-roasted cabbage and KIN's house-style aubergine. The latter was also a stand-out dish, its Szechuan-style sauce providing a hot, numbing effect that worked beautifully with the silky aubergine.
While you could happily order the entire run of small plates to enjoy alongside a bottle of Chardonnay-Viognier (always a great choice for plant-based food), the larger plates are good, too. Our table was laden with a generous bowl of pistachio and courgette pasta, with plant-based burrata and tomatoes, and a falafel bowl with pillowy soft pittas.
At first glance, the pudding selection might not seem particularly inventive – chocolate cake? Check. Cheesecake? Check. Sorbet? Check. These desserts belie their descriptions. The lime and pistachio cheesecake contained the perfect combination of freshness and opulence, keeping me scraping to the very bottom of the pile of pistachio butter on the plate.
As for the chocolate fondant with raspberry sorbet – a classic that never fails – it provides a completely delicious, and yet not over-indulgent, end to a total treat of a meal.
The verdict
If you're taking on the challenge of Veganuary and it's starting to feel like a slog, re-energise your commitment with a trip to London’s latest exclusively plant-based restaurant, KIN. The plant-based dishes are far from boring and will leave you nourished (pudding included, of course).
How to get there
The nearest London Underground stations are Oxford Circus and Goodge Street. If you're travelling from further afield, the nearest National Rail stations are Charing Cross and King's Cross St Pancras.
21 Foley Street, London W1W 6DT
Book here: kinlondon.com/restaurant or opentable.co.uk/r/kin-restaurant-london
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