Portsmouth's '˜top-ranked' restaurant won't stop improving says head chef

When you're ranked number one, it can be easy to forget about those beneath you.
Kevin Bingham 

Picture: Sarah Standing (132017-2972)Kevin Bingham 

Picture: Sarah Standing (132017-2972)
Kevin Bingham Picture: Sarah Standing (132017-2972)

But despite holding the title of Portsmouth’s top restaurant, Kevin Bingham is refusing to rest on his laurels just yet.

Last month The News revealed Restaurant 27 in Southsea has been ranked the city’s top eatery on Trip Advisor.

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Head chef Kevin, who opened the restaurant seven years ago, told us the accolade has been down to ‘hard work’ and ‘non-stop’ improvements.

The 48-year-old said: ‘Being named number one is really positive for the restaurant. It’s like a pat on the back for all the hard work we’ve done.

‘We take an awful lot of notice of the website.

‘It’s our customer’s opinions, and a lot of them book on Trip Advisor as well. They will often come in and mention the site.’

As of last week the restaurant had been rated 795 times online, with 96 per cent giving either an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ review.

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As any business owner knows though, even when the positive reviews flood in there will always be some who think differently.

Kevin said: ‘It is a double edged sword. We never respond to any reviews but we do take on board what people say.

‘When people say our food is innovative and creative then of course we are very proud.

‘Trip Advisor has been amazing for Portsmouth in general, it’s recognition for all of our hard work.

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Kevin started the business in 2009 after moving from contemporary restaurant Montparnasse - also a member of our Trip Advisor top 10.

He admitted it was ‘tough’ getting going in the middle of a recession, but after bringing in a fresh team of staff and introducing a new tasting menu, the restaurant has gone from strength to strength.

Kevin added: ‘We are forever evolving as a restaurant. Our evolution has been non-stop.

‘We have a saying that if you stand still you are taking a step back, and we are always analysing what we do.

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‘Sometimes you make dramatic changes and sometimes little tweeks.’

For all the staff’s work to make Restaurant 27 so popular, a Michelin star remains the one prized accolade missing from their collection.

Kevin, who lives above the restaurant with his wife Sophie and children Daisy, 13, and Louis, nine, said: ‘We did not get a star this year but we know we are on their radar.

‘We have a very successful business and that is the most successful thing.’

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