File: //old_home_backup/mykensington.co.uk/public_html/place/balans.html
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/>
<title>Balans | 187 Kensington High Street | W8 6SH</title>
<meta name="description" content="Balans Restaurant, 187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH"/>
<meta name="keywords" content="Balans Restaurant, 187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH"/>
<link href="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/stylesheets/default.css?1280923849" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/stylesheets/menues.css?1261060693" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<link href="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/stylesheets/breadcrumbs.css?1252422094" media="screen" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"/>
<script src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/javascripts/prototype.js?1245065621" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/javascripts/effects.js?1245065621" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/javascripts/dragdrop.js?1245065621" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/javascripts/controls.js?1245065621" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/javascripts/application.js?1251731172" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var ads_page_id = Math.floor(Math.random()*1999999999)+'A'+new Date().getTime()+'B'+Math.floor(Math.random()*1999999999);
Event.observe(window, 'load', function() {
$(document.body).insert('<div id="_ads_page_id" style="display: none;" value="'+ads_page_id+'"></div>');
});
//]]>
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[
//]]></script>
</head>
<body>
<div id="main" style="background-color: #fff;">
<div id="head">
<!-- RED MESSAGE -->
<!--
<div style="padding: 3px; margin-top: -5px; margin-bottom: 5px;font-size: 12px; background:#f4c3c3;border: 1px solid #f46b6b; color: #333;font-family: Futura,'Avant Garde','Century Gothic','Gill Sans MT',sans-serif; text-align: center;">
please bare with us .. major site upgrade in progress! see status on: http://status.myvillage.com
</div>
-->
<!-- YELLOW MESSAGE -->
<!--
<div style="padding: 3px; margin-top: -5px; margin-bottom: 5px;font-size: 12px; background:#f4ebaa;border: 1px solid #f2de49; color: #222;font-family: sans-serif; text-align: center;">
Maintenance window: tonight, 17:00 - 17:10 GMT. see status on: <a href="http://status.myvillage.com">http://status.myvillage.com</a>
</div>
-->
<div style="margin: 0px 10px 0pt; padding-top: 5px;">
<div style="width:240px; float:left;margin-right: 8px;">
<div>
<a href="/" style="border: 0;color: white; background: white; padding: 0;"></a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float:left; width:730px; height:90px; font-family:arial; font-size:12px; line-height:1.5em;">
<!-- 728x90,468x60 -->
<!-- begin ad tag (tile=1) -->
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
function getMvTopAdsLine(v) {
return "http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/"+v+"/mv.london.kensington/restaurants.european.feature.top;port=mv;chan=london;area=kensington;sec=restaurants;sub=european;class=feature;pos=top;con=net;rm=yes;ugc=no;rb=mpu;rb=sky;rb=set3;dcopt=ist;sz=728x90,468x60;tile=1;ord="+ads_page_id+"?";
}
document.write("<script language=\"JavaScript\" src=\""+getMvTopAdsLine("adj")+"\" type=\"text/javascript\">"+"</" + "script>");
document.write("<noscript><a href=\""+getMvTopAdsLine("jump")+"\" target=\"_blank\">");
document.write("<img src=\""+getMvTopAdsLine("ad")+"\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Advertisement\" /></a></noscript>");
//]]>
</script>
<!-- End ad tag -->
</div>
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="body">
<div id="top_menu">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="../../user/login/">My Page</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="../../user/list/">Members</a>
</li>
<li class="clear"></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="breadcrumbs">
<div style="width: 90px;float: left;">
<ul>
<li class="first"><span>Where am I? › </span></li>
<li class="clear"></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="width: 865px;float: left;">
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/">Kensington</a> ›
</li>
<li>
<a href="../../restaurants/">Restaurants</a> ›
</li>
<li>
<a href="../../places/restaurants_modern-and-european/">Modern & European</a> ›
</li>
<li class="last">
<span>Balans</span>
</li>
<li class="clear"></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="left_column" style="float: left;">
<div id="left_sub_menu">
<ul style="background: #9ED44B;">
<li class="title" style="">
<a href="../../restaurants/">Restaurants</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants/" style="">All Restaurants</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants/special_offers/" style="">Special Offers</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_cafes-and-coffee/" style="">Cafes & Coffee</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_chinese-and-japanese/" style="">Chinese & Japanese</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_indian/" style="">Indian</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_italian/" style="">Italian</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#79A339;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_modern-and-european/" style="">Modern & European</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_take-away/" style="">Take Away</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_thai/" style="">Thai</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_vegetarian/" style="">Vegetarian</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants_other-cuisines/" style="">Other</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../places/restaurants/book_restaurants/" style="">Book Restaurants</a>
</li>
<li style="background:#9ED44B;" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({background: '#79A339'})" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({background: '#9ED44B'})">
<a href="../../articles/restaurants/" style="">Articles</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div id="left_menu">
<ul>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #1392FB"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../events/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#1392FB'})" style="color: white;">What's on</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
listings
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #FD8C24"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../places/arts_cinema/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#FD8C24'})" style="color: white;">Cinema</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
listings & film reviews
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #D4060A"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../bars/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#D4060A'})" style="color: white;">Bars & Music</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
listings, reviews, events
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li class="selected">
<div class="color_line" style="background: #333333"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../restaurants/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: '#9ED44B'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#9ED44B'})" style="color: #9ED44B;">Restaurants</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
reviews
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #7267B3"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../news/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#7267B3'})" style="color: white;">News</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
local news
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #35C7FF"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../health-and-beauty/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#35C7FF'})" style="color: white;">Health</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
listings, reviews
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #F13536"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../property/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#F13536'})" style="color: white;">Property</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
listings, reviews
property for sale & rent
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #F56AAE"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../dating/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#F56AAE'})" style="color: white;">Dating</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
online dating
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #008546"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../hotels/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#008546'})" style="color: white;">Hotels</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
online bookings
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #7267B3"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../community/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#7267B3'})" style="color: white;">Members & Community</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
local news
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
<li>
<div class="color_line" style="background: #ec6e24"> </div>
<div class="item">
<a href="../../classifieds/" onmouseout="$(this).setStyle({color: 'white'})" onmouseover="$(this).setStyle({color: '#ec6e24'})" style="color: white;">Classifieds</a>
</div>
<div class="item_description">
buy, sell & trade
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--
-->
<div style="margin: 0px 5px;margin-top: 5px;">
<script type="text/javascript">//<!--
google_ad_channel = "";
//-->
</script>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 5px;margin-top: 5px;">
<script type="text/javascript">//<!--
google_ad_channel = "";
//-->
</script>
</div>
</div>
<div id="center_column" style="float: left;">
<div style="background: #333333;height: 47px;">
<div style="float: left;padding: 3px 10px;width: 110px;font-family:Futura,'Avant Garde','Century Gothic','Gill Sans MT',sans-serif; font-size:18px;line-height: 36px;font-weight:bold;color: white;background: #333333;">
Search
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 535px;background: #333333;">
<form action="/" method="get" style="padding: 0; margin: 0;">
<input id="controller_name" name="controller_name" type="hidden" value="basic_content"/>
<input id="action_name" name="action_name" type="hidden" value="show"/>
<div style="float: left;margin-top: 4px;margin-right: 5px;">
<input class="rounded-corners" id="q" name="q" style="padding: 2px; background: white; width: 455px;border: none;font-size: 12px;border: 1px solid white;" type="text"/>
</div>
<div style="float: left;margin-top: 5px;">
<button type="submit" style="background: none; border: none; cursor: pointer;line-height: 1px; font-size: 1px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;width:60px;height: 21px; ">
</button>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
<div style="font-size:11px;color: white;padding: 2px 0;font-weight: bold;">
movie, bar, restaurant, info
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;">
<h1 style="display:inline;color: #9ED44B">
Balans
</h1>
</div>
<div>
<div id="page_sub_menu" style="background: #333;">
<ul>
<li class="selected">
<a href="../../place/balans/">At a Glance</a>
</li>
<li class="">
<a href="/">Map</a>
</li>
<li class="inactive">
<span>Book Online</span>
</li>
<li class="">
<a href="/">About</a>
</li>
<li class="">
<a href="/">Reviews or Comments</a>
</li>
<li class="">
<a href="/">Fans</a>
</li>
<li class="inactive">
<span>Events</span>
</li>
<li class="last">
<a href="/">Photos</a>
</li>
<li class="clear"></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;margin-bottom: 5px;text-decoration: underline;">
<a href="/">Is this your business?</a>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="float: left; width: 220px;line-height: 18px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: 10px; color: gray;vertical-align: top;line-height:8px;">
from 4 reviews </span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;" class="big">Balans</div>
<div>187 Kensington High Street</div>
<div>Kensington</div>
<div>London</div>
<div>W8 6SH</div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">tel.: +44(0)2073760115</div>
<div><a href="http://www.balans.co.uk/" title="website">www.balans.co.uk</a></div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 280px;">
<div style="text-align: right; width: 270px;">
<div style="float: left; width: 168px;text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="float: right; width: 95px;text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 165px;">
<script src="http://www.google.com/jsapi" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[
// load google search API v1
google.load("search", "1");
// load google maps API v3
google.load("maps", "3", {other_params : "sensor=false"});
// onLoad action
Event.observe(window, 'load', function() {
// creating local search object
var localSearch = new GlocalSearch();
// setting search handler
localSearch.setSearchCompleteCallback(null, function() {
//alert('address not found');
// creating a map object
var map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map"), {
zoom: 15,
scrollwheel: false,
mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
// set user defined options
,mapTypeControl: false
});
// if local search success, try to mark position
if (localSearch.results[0]) {
// store position
var point = new google.maps.LatLng(localSearch.results[0].lat, localSearch.results[0].lng)
// set map center
map.setCenter(point);
// add marker with selected position
new google.maps.Marker({
map: map,
position: point
,title: "Balans"
});
} else {
//alert(address + " not found");
}
});
// perform local search by address
localSearch.execute("W8 6SH, UK");
});
//]]></script>
<div id="map" style="width: 163px; height: 158px;border: 1px solid #386FA7;"></div>
<div>
<a href="/" style="font-weight: bold;">Full Size Map</a> for Printing
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;padding: 10px 0 0px 0;">
<div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">
</div>
<div style="float: left; margin-right: 10px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; ">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: right;">
<div>
<a href="../../article/promote-your-business/" style="color: #333;font-size: 11px;">Tips to promote this business for free</a>
</div>
<div>
<a href="../../article/advertise-with-us/" style="color: #333;font-size: 11px;">Advertise your business on this site</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 40px; padding: 10px; float: right;width: 300px;background: white;">
<div style="margin: 0 auto;width: 300px;">
<!-- MPU TOP 300x250 -->
<!-- begin ad tag (tile=2) -->
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
function getMvRightAdsLine(v) {
return "http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/"+v+"/mv.london.kensington/restaurants.european.feature.top;port=mv;chan=london;area=kensington;sec=restaurants;sub=european;class=feature;pos=top;con=net;rm=yes;ugc=no;rb=mpu;rb=set3;sz=300x250;tile=2;ord="+ads_page_id+"?";
}
document.write("<script language=\"JavaScript\" src=\""+getMvRightAdsLine("adj")+"\" type=\"text/javascript\">"+"</" + "script>");
document.write("<noscript><a href=\""+getMvRightAdsLine("jump")+"\" target=\"_blank\">");
document.write("<img src=\""+getMvRightAdsLine("ad")+"\" width=\"300\" height=\"250\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Advertisement\" /></a></noscript>");
//]]>
</script>
<!-- End ad tag -->
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 10px 0; border-top: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<h2>Liked by
<a href="/" style="font-weight: normal;vertical-align:top;">(1) See all»</a></h2>
<div>
<div style="float: left; width:48px; height: 50px; text-align: center; margin: 10px 10px 0 0;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 20px; padding-top: 20px;border-top: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://myvillage.geo.me/myvillage_nearby.js?locationid=34866"></script>
<a href="/" style="font-weight: bold;">View Map with Nearby Venues</a>
</div>
<div style="margin: 20px 0; border-top: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<h2>Balans</h2>
<b>Features:</b> Vegetarian Dishes, Cuisine: Modern European, Private Parties: Up to 100 guests<br><b>Average Price Per Person:</b> £30<br><b>Nearest Transport:</b> Kensington High Street / London Underground<br><br>The Balans are a cheerful and funky chain of restaurants, usually full of a young crowd taking advantage of the energetic atmosphere and the late opening hours. The menus offer a mixture of modern European cuisine. This branch has a widescreen satellite TV with over 80 music channels and caters for private parties of up to 100 people upon request. Seating on the pavement area is provided.<br><br>
</div>
<div style="clear: right;"></div>
<div class="left_content" style="float: left;">
<div style="margin: 20px 0; border-top: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<h2>Reviews or Comments
<a href="/" style="font-weight: normal;vertical-align:top;">(4) See all»</a></h2>
<div style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin: 10px 0; padding: 5px;" id="review_39870">
<div style="float: left;width: 55px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; ">
<div>18-11-2020</div>
<div>
<a href="/" class="big" style="font-weight: bold;">Petra Puskas</a>
</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
I'm afraid not. The staff at Ken High Street are pushy, grabbing your plates the second you finish, repeatedly bombarding you with demands to order more drinks. The manager coaxed us in after standing outside the cafe waving at passersby with regular chants such as "table for 3, madam?", "table for 2, sir?". I asked if they were on commission (guess what the answer was..) <br/>The food is acceptable though, decor is fine, rather cosy, but the hard-sell approach, even in London, will do nothing to encourage would-be regulars. The worst waiter was a 20 something French guy who I think has been there for some time, his constant sarcastic witticisms about the two guys at the back table was more than unprofessional. <br/>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px;">
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">Petra's profile</a>
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">Other reviews by Petra</a>
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">Petra likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin: 10px 0; padding: 5px;" id="review_11222">
<div style="float: left;width: 55px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; ">
<div>24-07-2020</div>
<div>
<a href="/" class="big" style="font-weight: bold;">amer</a>
</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
Can I just say in response to the recent not so rave reviews, that I live locally to this Balans, visit it regularly and the staff are absolutely wonderful...as is their service. Balans is not, and does not profess to be, a Michelin starred restaurant, so don't go there looking for that - go somewhere else. If however, you want good, filling, tasty food, service with a smile + a healthy dose of fun, one of the few places in Kensington High St that allows lots of fresh air inside on a hot sunny day then go here. I often go, order just water and a light meal and the service is as good as when we drinks and eat loads. In fact we remember it especially, since one time we kept ordering water top ups during our long meal and all the staff did was oblige with a funny joke now and again about our 'wild' drinking habit! Keep it up Balans and thank riddance to the mean, grumpy, bitter people out there that don't want to come back!! Yeeeeeeha!! :)
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 10px;">
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">amer's profile</a>
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">Other reviews by amer</a>
<a href="/" style="color:#6D8C03;">amer likes</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin: 10px 0; padding: 5px;" id="review_13083">
<div style="float: left;width: 55px;">
<img alt="<b>jeffory</b>" src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/images/default_user_images/3.gif?1258543092" style="border: 1px solid gray;width:48px;height:48px;"/>
</div>
<div style="float: left; ">
<div>05-05-2020</div>
<div>
<span class="big"><b>jeffory</b></span>
</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
We have booked a table at Balans High Street Ken' tonight, after reading this review I feel like cancelling, or maybe we will just not turn up for a bit of pay back!!! ha ha ha
</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin: 10px 0; padding: 5px;" id="review_27645">
<div style="float: left;width: 55px;">
<img alt="<b>Amy</b>" src="http://www.mykensington.co.uk/images/default_user_images/3.gif?1258543092" style="border: 1px solid gray;width:48px;height:48px;"/>
</div>
<div style="float: left; ">
<div>24-03-2020</div>
<div>
<span class="big"><b>Amy</b></span>
</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
"Received the worst, most embarrassing service at Balans last weekend. Popped in there with two friends after shopping in High Street Kensington on Sunday afternoon to be greeted by the maitre'd. He said "how many," and I said "three". We sat down, ready for a slow afternoon of cocktails, coffees and snacking, ordering two bloody marys, a beer, water and a sandwich. The waitress took our order, and the barman began making our drinks. Suddenly the maitre'd appears, and says "I asked if you were having lunch and you said yes." Which he didn't. "I can't let you have the table if you're just drinking." I said, "we're not, I've ordered a sandwich, and they're ordering later. That's lunch." to which he replied "It's just a starter." This is despite the fact we'd ordered ?5 cocktails to start, and was probably going to spend at least ?50."Apparently you have to order mains on a Sunday when they're busy. But neither him, or the waitress told us this before we sat down, and anyway, we were all intending to eat, just not straight away."After a small exchange we realised he was not offering us any other choice but to LEAVE the restaurant, despite the fact ?20 of drinks and food were making their way to our table. We got up and left without paying for any of it. After being unceremoniously ejected from the restaurant, we walked to the Old Brompton Road branch, sat down, and ordered exactly the same thing, and received lovely, courteous service. We then went onto to order a bottle of wine and three more starters, the bill coming to ?62. To top of the service, the waiter gave us a big bag of free ice to take home to make more drinks."I don't object to the rule of "mains on a Sunday" but please tell us before we sit down. This was embarrassing and dealt with extremely badly. We should have been at least allowed to have what we'd ordered. The maitre'd only suceeded in wasting stock, offending customers and making sure a bad review appeared on this website. You never know who you're being rude to. It's a shame because I really like Balans, but certainly won't be returning to High Street Kensington branch. Old Brompton Road all the way."
</div>
</div>
</div>
<a href="/">(4) See all»</a>
</div>
<div class="right_content" style="float: left;">
<div class="module_promotional" style="margin-top: 10px;">
<div>
<div style="background: #EEEEEE; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 5px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.myvillage.com/video/peter-pan"></a>
</div>
<div style="color:#333333;font-size:11px;line-height: 13px; padding: 5px;">
<div style="line-height: 14px; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 3px;">
<a href="http://www.myvillage.com/video/peter-pan" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" title="Read more »">Peter Pan</a>
</div>
<div style="height: 80px;margin-top: 5px;">
The bronze statue of Peter Pan is in Kensington Gardens, next to Hyde Park. The exact location was chosen by Peter Pan's author, J.M. Barrie.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="background: #EEEEEE; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 5px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="../../articles/91002-maple-leaf-cabinetry/"></a>
</div>
<div style="color:#333333;font-size:11px;line-height: 13px; padding: 5px;">
<div style="line-height: 14px; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 3px;">
<a href="../../articles/91002-maple-leaf-cabinetry/" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;" title="Read more »">Maple Leaf Cabinetry</a>
</div>
<div style="height: 80px;margin-top: 5px;">
Fitted wardrobes, custom kitchens, shelving units and bespoke cabinets
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="clear"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div id="social_bookmarks" style="float: none; clear: both; margin-top: 20px;">
<div style="color: #444;font-weight: bold;margin-bottom: 5px;">
Share if you like:
</div>
<div>
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/widgets/like.php?href=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; height:40px"></iframe>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&title=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="Digg"></a>
<a href="http://delicious.com/post?url=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&title=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="del.icio.us"></a>
<!--
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&t=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="Facebook"><img alt="Facebook" height="16" src="/images/social_networks/facebook.png?1256742420" width="16" /></a>
-->
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/Modules/PostTo/Pages/?u=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&t=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="MySpace"></a>
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&title=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="StumbleUpon"></a>
<a href="http://www.friendfeed.com/share?link=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&title=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="FriendFeed"></a>
<a href="http://posterous.com/share?linkto=http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans&title=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="Posterous"></a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Balans%20%7C%20187%20Kensington%20High%20Street%20%7C%20W8%206SH - http://www.mykensington.co.uk/place/balans" class="animated" style="margin-right: 3px;" title="Twitter"></a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="right_column" style="float: left;">
<div id="user_box" style="background: black;">
<div style="color: white; font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px;text-align: center;padding-bottom: 5px;line-height: 18px;">
<a href="../../place/balans/" style="font-size: 18px;font-weight: bold;color: white;font-family:Futura,'Avant Garde','Century Gothic','Gill Sans MT',sans-serif;text-decoration: none;">sign up</a> -
<a href="../../place/balans/" style="font-size: 18px;font-weight: bold;color: white;font-family:Futura,'Avant Garde','Century Gothic','Gill Sans MT',sans-serif;text-decoration: none;">login</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 10px 0; padding: 5px; background-color: #445566;border: 1px solid #444;">
<a href="http://www.helion-prime.com/" style="color: white; font-weight: bold;">Professional web development</a>
<div style="color: white;margin-top: 5px;">
Software development services from myvillage developers.
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 5px;">
<a href="http://www.helion-prime.com/" style="color: #AAA;">www.helion-prime.com</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 5px 0;">
<div style="background: #e4f1f7;padding: 5px; ">
<div style="font-size: 14px;">Local advertisers</div>
<div style="font-size: 9px;">
to advertise on this site
<a href="../../article/advertise-with-us/" style="color: #333; font-size: 9px;">click here</a>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 7px;border: 1px solid #0066cc;padding:5px;">
<div style="">
<a href="../../place/free-venue-hire-london/" style="color: #0066cc;font-weight: bold;">Free Venue Hire</a>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: black;">
Free venue finding service for birthdays corporate events club nights
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 2px;">
tel.: 0706 200 1111
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 7px;border: 1px solid #0066cc;padding:5px;">
<div style="">
<a href="../../place/asec-notting-hill/" style="color: #0066cc;font-weight: bold;">Asec Security</a>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: black;">
Highly professional door supervisors close protection retail & private security
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px;">
2 crutched friars London EC3N 2HT
</div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 2px;">
tel.: 0844 555 3007
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 7px;border: 1px solid #0066cc;padding:5px;">
<div style="">
<a href="../../place/body-work-london-2/" style="color: #0066cc;font-weight: bold;">Treatment Friedrich Wagner</a>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: black;">
Feel intense relaxation and wellness accompanied by a deep healing process.
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px;">
Thea Wunderer London W11
</div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 2px;">
tel.: 07939224103
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 7px;border: 1px solid #0066cc;padding:5px;">
<div style="">
<a href="../../place/the-jam-tree/" style="color: #0066cc;font-weight: bold;">The Jam Tree</a>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: black;">
Modern british pub food with a celebration of colonial flavours
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px;">
58 Milson Road London W14 0LB
</div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 2px;">
tel.: 02073713999
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-top: 7px;border: 1px solid #0066cc;padding:5px;">
<div style="">
<a href="../../place/flyer-distributors-wanted-in-notting-hill-notting-hill/" style="color: #0066cc;font-weight: bold;">Flyer Distributors wanted in Notting Hill</a>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; color: black;">
Flyer distributors needed for a 4 hours this week in notting hill £6 per hour
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; margin-top: 4px;">
W11
</div>
<div style="font-size: 11px;font-weight: bold;margin-top: 2px;">
tel.: 07957 167 696
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="module_special_offers" style="background-color: #a6cf4f; padding: 5px 0;width:160px;margin-top: 10px;">
<div style="border: 2px solid #333333;padding: 5px;line-height: 20px;background:transparent; margin: 0px 5px 10px 5px;font-family:Futura,'Avant Garde','Century Gothic','Gill Sans MT',sans-serif;text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 24px;font-weight: bold;">Restaurants</span><br/>
<span style="color: white;font-size: 18px;font-weight: bold;">Special Offers</span>
</div>
<div style="padding:0px 5px;">
<div style="padding: 5px 0;">
<div style="float:left;width:30px;height:30px;">
<a href="../../place/blue-lagoon-thai-restaurant-london/book_promotion_id_11782/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 115px;font-weight: bold;">
<div><a href="../../place/blue-lagoon-thai-restaurant-london/book_promotion_id_11782/" style="font-weight:bold;color:#333333;font-size: 11px;">4 course fixed price dinner menu
£16.95 - £18.95</a></div>
<div><a href="../../place/blue-lagoon-thai-restaurant-london/" style="color: white;font-size: 11px;">Blue Lagoon Thai Restaurant</a></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;" class="mv_thin"></div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px 0;">
<div style="float:left;width:30px;height:30px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 115px;font-weight: bold;">
<div><a href="/" style="font-weight:bold;color:#333333;font-size: 11px;">25% discount on full afternoon tea.</a></div>
<div><a href="../../place/68-86-restaurant-and-bar-southkensington-london/" style="color: white;font-size: 11px;">68-86 Restaurant & Bar</a></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;" class="mv_thin"></div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px 0;">
<div style="float:left;width:30px;height:30px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 115px;font-weight: bold;">
<div><a href="/" style="font-weight:bold;color:#333333;font-size: 11px;">Fixed Price Lunch Menu
2/3 courses £19.00/£22.00</a></div>
<div><a href="../../place/the-roof-garden-london/" style="color: white;font-size: 11px;">The Kensington Roof Gardens</a></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;" class="mv_thin"></div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 5px 0;">
<div style="float:left;width:30px;height:30px;">
<a href="/"></a>
</div>
<div style="float: left; width: 115px;font-weight: bold;">
<div><a href="/" style="font-weight:bold;color:#333333;font-size: 11px;">Afternoon tea with an Italian touch to it. Classic Afternoon Tea for £27, Champagne Afternoon Tea for £39.50</a></div>
<div><a href="../../place/brunello-restaurant-hydeparkgate-london/" style="color: white;font-size: 11px;">Brunello Restaurant</a></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;" class="mv_thin"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0 5px; padding: 3px 8px;line-height: 12px;background: #333;">
<a href="../../places/restaurants/special_offers/" style="font-size: 11px; color: white;">more special offers >>></a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: left;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="footer">
<a href="../../article/advertise-with-us/" title="advertise with us">advertise with us</a>
<a href="../../article/about-us/" title="about us">about us</a>
<a href="../../article/meet-the-team/" title="meet the team">meet the team</a>
<!--<a href="/article/contribute" title="contribute">contribute</a>-->
<a href="../../article/contact-us/" title="contact us">contact us</a>
<a href="http://status.myvillage.com/" title="site status">site status</a>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>