Reviews for Kashu

Delicious food, excellent service

I went to Kashu in a large group. Before I entered the restaurant it scored points for not being a chain. Kashu also did not disappoint in the two most important criteria - food and service. I haven't had such a delicious meal (chicken on crushed potatoes) for quite a while, and the rest of my group appeared to enjoy their meals too. Desserts, often something a restaurant feels it can drop its standards on for some reason, were also of high quality. Sadly I was driving so can't comment on the wine. Service was friendly yet seamless. We came out feeling well looked after. The only reason Kashu doesn't get five stars is that I wasn't too sure about the decor as it felt a bit 'stark'. However, this a matter of personal taste and the atmosphere was lively and good-natured. [Jul 11]

great food and service, and baby friendly too

My husband and I went with our 7 month old daughter one Thursday lunchtime and decided to splash out on the full menu rather than the express lunch. It was well worth the money. Three courses of excellent food with wine and coffee came in at just under £40 a head. The service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive and the atmosphere was relaxed. It was lovely to be able to have a really nice meal without worrying about disturbing others by having a small child with us. [May 11]

Great if you're seated in one of the booths

I've been to Kashu on a few occasions and I'm still left undecided on it. The decor inside the venue is welcoming and rich with lots of leather in the semi circular booths and wood elsewhere, The booths are comfy and provide a great dining experience for a group but the other tables can be more cramped and less enticing. On every occasion I've had a good meal at Kashu, the menu has a good amount of variety and the service is generally good. The only thing that lets Kashu down for me is that the owner can be over familiar at times. It's great that he is around and that he welcomes people into his restaurant but his manner has left me feeling that I'm being sold to on occasion. Also addressing me as young man, I'd love to still be in my 20's, but unfortunately I'm not, does not help. Overall If you sit in one of the booths and the owner isn't overly familiar you'll have a good meal in great surrounding and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. [May 11]

A Relative Newcomer...

Kashu is a relative newcomer to the St. Albans food scene, but don't discount it for that! I've been several times, and prefer the lunch special--incredible value, incredible service and incredible food! The crab linguine is great... I'd say Kashu outshines Darcy's, and that's really saying something! [Jan 11]

Breakfast was great

Recently went to a St Albans Chamber of Commerce breakfast in the marquee. Definitely the best of 2010. [Dec 10]

Very uneven experiences

On our first visit the owner was present and we had a good - if rather expensive - overall experience. Good service, good food. So we returned recently for a special occasion but the owner was not present and it was a disaster - a main course of scallops (not cheap) had 5 or 6 scallops, whereas my choice of lamb steak was cold, on a cold plate (and the reason/excuse from the manager was that and 'our meat is kept chilled'! Then two members of staff cleaned and sorted the cutlery (very noisily) actually in the restaurant. How client friendly is that? The 'owner present' standard was fine - but...! [Sep 10]

Disappointing

The food and prices do not really match the experience. The restaurant looks good and you get a welcome from the manager on arrival but that's about it. Two main issues - very average food and slow service. However also some little things such as paper napkins. No wine waiter to pour the first glass of wine. May sound picky but at £47 per head without desert (admittedly plenty of wine!) it makes a difference. Probably better for a couple but for a large group as we were it was disappointing. [May 10]

Expensive but worth a try

We had our first visit to Kashu on Friday night and I really liked the atmosphere and decor of the place. The service was excellent which means a lot to me, and our waitress was very helpful and the Manager also made a point of asking if we had a good time. The menu was rather strange in that there was so much on it. It seemed 50% Italian specialty restaurant and 50% modern European - I guess anyone could get what they wanted, but I just went away not knowing what their specialty was. I enjoyed the food but our bill was quite enormous and the wine though good was expensive for what it was. We had a good time but the overall bill would put me off going again except for a special occasion. [Jan 10]

My Favourite Restaurant in St Albans

I have lived in St Albans for 19 years now and have visited most, if not all the restaurants in our city! It is great to have a restaurant like Kashu on our door step when we have so many 'chains' and mediocre offerings. I love the building and the decor and the fresh contemporary feel the restaurant has. But a restaurant is nothing if the food and service do not match the decor? and it does here. I love the way the old favourites stay on the menu like my fave - penne arrabiate - but if you want something different then there is the seasonal specials menu. So my husband can have his steak and carpaccio and I can have what I like - he is married to a vegetarian, so he needs his 'fix' occasionally. True, it is not the cheapest restaurant in St Albans but I believe you get what you pay for! Plus a great wine list and cocktails! I have introduced a number of friends to Kashu and have always had a great evening there. I have just arranged a Christmas party there and prefer to support our local businesses. I think the whole team there are lovely and friendly and do their best to make you feel welcome and that your business is appreciated. I look forward to my next visit there. [Oct 09]

A real disappointment

Good location and fantastic decor - loving the red leather seating. However shame the food isn't up to much. A massive menu (always a bad sign!) and all of it rather mediocre. Expensive too. Yes the owner/manager (?) is extremely effusive but this can't cover the passable but not much more quality of the dishes. Sorry Kashu but after 2 disappointing visits, we won't be back again. [Oct 09]