Every now and then, I love a good girls’ night. And with January being a crazy month for me, I was definitely in need of a catch-up. So when I was invited to The Skinny Kitchen in Islington, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to round up the gals. Known for their banging bottomless brunches and DJ events, the pretty pink venue also has a superb dinner menu, complete with cocktails and healthy plates. So did it live up to the hype?

It's plush, lush and everything in between at this restaurant near Angel Station.

Moments away from Angel Station, the restaurant is an Instagrammable heaven. The outdoor terrace fronted string lights and gorgeous greenery while the interiors were decked to the nines – think quirky neon signage, ambient lighting and velvet-clad seating throughout. With RnB tunes playing in the background, it was the ideal Friday night vibe we were hoping for.

We kicked off with a couple of cocktails to start. I opted for the Pink Rose (£13), a heady mix of pink gin, raspberries, lemon, basil and egg white. Nice and frothy on top, the coral-coloured drink tasted like a boozy fruit punch in the best way – refreshing, sweet and delicate. Shortly after polishing that off, we were served starters. My friend ordered the padron peppers (£6), which were charred to perfection evoking a slightly smokey and nutty flavour. Meanwhile, I cracked on with the crispy calamari (£15). Topped with pickled onions, my plate was instantly elevated once you dunked it into a tantalising spicy wasabi mayo – think an Asian take on the otherwise standard dish.

Everything is coming up rosy with The Skinny Kitchen's food and drinks.

For my second tipple, I nabbed a margarita (£13). The waitress was super friendly and asked if I wanted it to be spicy, which if anyone knows me, I love a little pepper in everything. Along with a generous amount of tequila, the cocktail had a nice peppery finesse without losing the tartness a margarita should always maintain. Afterward, I decided to get the prawn linguine (£15) bathed in a creamy tomato pesto. Each bite had hints of chilli, garlic and basil, making for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Meanwhile, my friend was very hyped as there were a tonne of veggie-friendly options for her to choose from including a miso polenta and falafel curry. She ended up ordering The V.E.G (£15.50) with a heaping pile of skinny fries on the side. While the dish had some great elements such as a homemade burger sauce and pillowy brioche bun, my friend admitted that the burger was slightly lacklustre considering how promising it looked.

Gotta love an Insta backdrop like this one.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

The Skinny Kitchen is definitely a must-visit if you’re after an Instagram photo. The interiors alone make this restaurant well worth the trip with stunning cocktails and the ambience being a major plus. As for the food, the restaurant does a great job elevating standard dishes with a contemporary flair. With lots of vegetarian options and fresh fish on the menu, it’s ideal for group nights out (even for the pickiest of eaters).

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