The Kitty Fisher group has expanded their London reach, offering theatre enthusiasts a chic new haunt to wine, dine and bathe in the ambiance.
Soho has a longstanding history with entertainment, having dazzled locals and tourists alike for centuries. With an enviable offering of live shows and culinary hotspots, there is almost always something new to discover here — and the latest find is no exception.
The Kitty Fisher Group’s most recent venture has led to the creation of their third venue, Café Kitty. Having dreamt up Kitty Fisher's in Mayfair and Cora Pearl in Covent Garden, the team are well-versed in creating crowd pleasers, with this Soho expansion marking an exciting new chapter.
Café Kitty forms part of Underbelly Boulevard; a new entertainment precinct housing a lineup of live cabaret shows. As such, the venue offers pre and post-theatre menus exclusively available to show ticket holders looking to elevate their experience.
The journey begins with the flashing lights of Walker’s Court. Entering on the ground floor, you will be directed upstairs, where the sound of music draws louder with each step. Unlike the buzzing street it occupies, the atmosphere of Café Kitty is noticeably calmer — in a good way. The lighting is moody, the walls dusty pink and the wrap-around seating lined with blue velvet. Though the atmosphere is sultry and subdued at 7pm on a Wednesday, the upright piano in the corner is a playful nod to the venue’s cabaret ties and slightly raucous slant.
Despite the strong focus on food, Café Kitty’s bar is a key part of its allure. A playful take on the venue name, the Bad Kitty cocktail isn’t one to miss. With sloe gin, elderflower, prosecco and a twist of lemon, it has all the trappings of a traditional G&T with a sophisticated (and slightly boozier) twist. The concoction packed a punch without being overbearing and played nicely with the forthcoming selection of small plates.
With a menu designed to share, the menu focuses on being innovative with smaller portions. The staff were friendly and eager to offer suggestions on selecting dishes. We opted for around four with a few sides, and, with portion sizes running quite generously for a small plate offering, found ourselves more than satisfied by the end.
The parade of plates began with an elevated take on classic devilled eggs. A nostalgic nod to family picnic fare, these were equal parts creamy and zingy, best enjoyed in one bite.
The pork belly doughnuts were intriguing for obvious reasons, arriving in a beautifully encased bun, golden and glazed. Inside revealed a steaming, succulent filling of pork, cooked and seasoned to perfection. A generous bowl of Caesar salad arrived absolutely drenched in shaved parmesan, with the lack of meat more than compensated by the addition of salty anchovies.
A side serving of crispy potatoes were the highlight of the meal proving that nailing the basics really does go a long way. With a crispy, crunchy exterior, slight release of oil and a fluffy centre, they were done to perfection.
The Knickerbocker Glory was a knockout dessert, leaning into the nostalgic, after dinner sweets of times gone by. Thick vanilla ice cream was laden with whipped cream, chopped pistachios and for the finisher, a cherry on top — the perfect way to round off a wonderful meal.
Café Kitty’s atmosphere is perfectly complementary to the plates, filled with light chatter, humming of background music and the most glorious sound of all — the clinking of glasses and plates.
If you already call yourself a Kitty Fisher Group fan, you will love this vibrant newcomer. If not, we’d suggest making a booking and discovering what the hype is about firsthand.
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