Riding the wave of London’s cabaret comeback, west London’s Babylon Restaurant has launched a series of jazz cabaret evenings. The restaurant, which tops an eight-storey building on Kensington High Street, is offering Thursday night performances until mid-June, then after that will offer a varied line-up of live music every Thursday night.

The live jazz launched on March 30 with sultry singer and musician SJ belting out jazz numbers to a sleek piano accompaniment. The restaurant was packed on the debut night with mostly 30-something diners, dressed up for the evening. SJ, in an elegant evening gown, mingled with the tables closest to the piano.

Diners enjoyed her eye contact and playful interaction, although for those who eschew any level of audience participation, the best tables are away from the piano, either along the terrace, with great views looking south over London, or the banquette booths along the far wall, which are perfect for four diners.

There was a good level of chatter throughout the evening, making for a buzzing atmosphere while not drowning out the music. In addition the waiting staff were fun and knowledgeable, answering questions about the wine list and menu and bantering with guests – it’s perhaps not what you’d want from a local restaurant, but adds to the ambience on a special occasion.

The food was fresh off head chef, Oliver Smith’s new spring menu, with dishes such as dressed Cornish crab and foie gras, apple and ham hock terrine to start, with roast free range Dombe duck with apple and potato roesti or chargrilled fillet of gilt head bream with red pepper, fennel and saffron, to follow. If there’s room for dessert the baked apple strudel with calvados ice cream is first class. For those with a generous appetite, the seven-course tasting menu is good value at £55, including canapés, sorbet, coffee and petit fours, or £85 if you want a specially selected wine with each course.

Decadent Londoners’ love of cabaret has reignited thanks to burlesque queen, Miss Immodesty Blaize, London’s The Whoopee Club and more recently the opening of cabaret club, Play Room on the site of the former 10 Room. For this in-crowd an evening of jazz at Babylon won’t disappoint, but for anyone else, it makes a good night out for a special occasion, with a buzzing atmosphere, sophisticated décor, and great food and wine.

Need to know

When? Jazz performances at Babylon run every Thursday until June 8, with either SJ or acoustic duo Swerve, playing live. After that the restaurant will continue to offer live music on Thursday nights.

Where? Babylon is part of The Roof Gardens, a private members’ club famous for its lavish rooftop gardens that are home to full-size trees, ducks and two flamingos. The entrance to the restaurant and club is on Derry Street and the nearest Underground station in High Street Kensington on the Circle and District lines. The restaurant is non-smoking but diners can use the small seated smoking area in the lobby bar.

Babylon Restaurant, The Roof Gardens, 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA. Tel. 020 7368 3993, www.roofgardens.com

How much? Three courses from the a la carte menu costs around £38, wine starts from £18.50 a bottle and champagne from £39. The seven-course tasting menu is £55, including canapés, sorbet, coffee and petit fours, or £85 including a different wine with each course.

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