Lunch at Babylon, Kensington roof gardens

Last week was my 27th birthday and it's safe to say that I was thoroughly spoilt. I've been wanting to go to Kensington roof gardens for quite some time now and as a surprise the boyfriend booked us in for lunch and cocktails at Babylon rooftop restaurant: 

The view from Babylon rooftop balcony

 Mint to be and Jamaican heat cocktails

After a short walk across Hyde Park (where we worked up quite the appetite) we were greeted and led to our table. The whole place was modern and bright with a smart casual vibe. There were a mix of diners, from large birthday parties to cosy dates and friend just catching up for lunch. Naturally we had to start with some cocktails and I really liked how ours came presented. The flavours were bang on, very light and refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. Ideal for the hot sunny day. 

Crispy fried dingley dell pork belly

Creedy carver duck and cointreau salami

We both decided to go for the set menu and I have to say my dishes were absolutely delicious. The pork belly was crispy on the outside, melt in your mouth inside and the pineapple salsa great for cutting through the richness. R went for the duck and cointreau salami which was served warm and again a delicious burst of flavour without being too greasy or heavy.

Pan fried hake fillet with cucumber and fennel salad on a bed of tartar style sauce

  Triple cooked chunky chips 

  Slow roasted pork collar with English asparagus, 

potatoes and beans on a warm chicken and tarragon broth

Being such a hot day I wanted something light and was instantly drawn to the hake salad as my main course. I'm forever complaining that restaurant dishes aren't served with enough sauce so the fact that it came swimming in buttery tartar style sauce was perfect for me. The fish was cooked just right and the cucumber salad added crunch and texture as well as some freshness to the dish. Combined with the golden chunky chips it was the perfect balance between rich and indulgent and fresh and healthy and I would thoroughly recommend if you ever get the chance to visit. R went for the pork and beans and although I wasn't such a fan you couldn't fault the cooking and he really enjoyed it. 

Outdoor balcony and views over Kensington roof gardens

By this point we were both too full for dessert so opted to have cocktails in the sunshine instead. Being on the 7th floor I wasn't sure what sort of view to expect and although we were sat inside for the meal they had an outdoor balcony area which not only had a very laid back holiday feel, it also had the most amazing views of Central and East London. How many famous landmarks can you spot in the first picture? 

Overall I really enjoyed the meal and drinks at Babylon and would definitely recommend for a special occasion. You can wander around the roof gardens afterwards too which were just beautiful and felt like a little haven away from the hustle and bustle of Central London. I was testing out my new camera lens that day so look out for more photos and an outfit of the day in another blog post very soon!

Have you been to Kensington roof gardens? What are your favourite restaurants for a special occasion?