Ken’s comes to us from the same people as Dan’s, and who seem to be absolutely dominating the wine-bars-named-after-a-bloke-with-a-three-letter-name market.
And as wine bars go, it’s quite lovely.
They’ve dropped it in the middle of the long stretch of Exmouth Market, directly opposite the Berber & Q Shawarma Bar. Push through the door, and you’ll find a place that exudes a rustic charm with its dim, flickering, candle-heavy lighting and handsome vintage furnishings. The space is intimate, with worn wooden tables and chairs, and walls lined with wine dozens and dozens of colourful bottles. The space used to be an NHS pharmacy, and is actually quite a bit larger than you’d expect (and still cures what ails you).
The wine on show along those walls is broadly, but not exclusively natural, with a heavy lean towards the smaller producers. It comes red, white, pink, and orange, and there’s a pretty wide selection of French numbers. The prices only occasionally dip into the £20s for bottle, but there’s pretty much a prince for everyone.
Matching it all up is a food menu courtesy of chef Fergus Shields, whose impressive CV includes stints at Sessions Arts Club, Noble Rot and Quo Vadis. Here, he’s dabbling in the likes of Cornish scallop crudo with parmesan; beef rump tartare with bottarga; and tomato carpaccio with lovage & Musita ricotta.
For once, this place isn’t just Ken.
NOTE: Ken’s is open now, Tuesday to Saturday. You can find out more, and make a booking at the website right here.
Ken’s | 51 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
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