WagaMAMA!

 

After my first visit to Wagamama way back in 2001 almost exactly 24 years later I returned to the Kensington branch of Wagamama

Its housed in a art-deco style building upstairs a quite regal double sided stairway entrance on Kensington High Street.  It was just the way I remembered it, although of course the decor has been updated since. The setting is almost entirely long table style communal dining seating across the floor of this restaurant. With an open style kitchen at the back that has updated the dining room to fit with modern style and the other restaurants in the chain. 

I really enjoyed the starter that I ordered after a long day without anything at all this was a real treat as I was ravenous! I scanned the menu for a while whilst munching on 'Bang Bang' Cauliflower prepared in a really tasty sweet and hot sauce.

The menu had changed recently so some of my recent favourites were no longer available. This is a good thing though, as the menu changes seasonally and as it is now Spring/Summer that makes complete sense. Although I still couldn't make up my mind between one or two of the dishes. 

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After pondering a while I decided since its May Bank Holiday I would have a piece of Salmon with Rice noodles instead of Salad. As I do really like their salads but I wanted something a bit more substantial and although the Chicken Katsu looks really good and its very popular, I decided on something a little different.

The main meal was prepared so quickly it really was superb service as the restaurant was actually so full when I arrived. We had to wait some minutes for seating to be available, they seem to be doing a great job of expediting orders at this restaurant. Both the Hostess and Server (whose name was Niki) were really attentive and responsive. 

The Salmon was placed on a bed of Rice noodles stir fried with crisp, fresh vegetables. Actually this was the first that I can recall having the flatter style rice noodles in a stir fry dish, as mostly I experienced them in soups.  They were really light but extremely filling and I found myself having to take a break at about just after halfway!

I would definitely recommend joining the Wagamama Soul Club for rewards and neat features. Like the ability to enter your table number and pay easily without any delay directly through the app - whilst earning points for your purchases!

Wagamama definitely has earned my loyalty as their menu options offer variety and are mostly pretty consistent across various locations that I have tried. Although there are some variations in the preparation of some things like Salads with some locations making more of an effort than others. 

In general I think they do what they do very well, which is bringing Asian inspired, Japanese menu favourites to the mainstream F & B marketplace. In a non-formal but very professional and well presented format.