MY wife's birthday happily coincides with Valentine's Day which is great because it means I'm unlikely to forget either event (or if I do, I'm in double trouble!).

To mark the occasion we decided to check in at K West, one of Shepherd's Bush's most up and coming hotels, and try out the delights of its restaurant Kanteen.

K West Hotel and Spa has show business in its bricks and mortar, literally, as the building was at one time the main headquarters for BBC Documentaries. It was the home of BBC Television Arts and Features and Roxy Music and the Kinks both recorded there. These days it still welcomes arts and media-types, only now they a more likely to be paying guests or calling in for a drink or a meal before visiting the nearby Shepherd's Bush Empire or Hammersmith Apollo.

Having left the car in the capable hands of the hotel valet parking service (£5 minimum charge for three hours) and checked in, my wife and I wandered over to K-Lounge, the bar area. The cocktails, prepared by 'mixologists', are exceptionally good, and the beers are no more expensive than a local pub, but the 12.5% service charge bumps up the cost a bit.

Our evening didn't quite go to plan as we soon discovered that Kanteen had been booked out for the night by House of Fraser for its 'HOFscars' staff awards. Though we were welcome to eat in the K-Lounge bar rather than at Kanteen on the mezzanine floor above, the HOF staff were so well turned out that we felt decidedly under-dressed for the occasion and decided to opt for room service instead.

I ordered the 10oz rib eye steak and peppercorn sauce (£19), which was served with roast tomatoes, fondant potato and mange tout – absolutely delicious and well worth the money. My wife ordered the Angus beef burger with mozzarella, which again excelled. Both dishes were of the highest quality as we're our side orders of ravioli with spinach, and Parma ham wild rocket salad.

Our disappointment at missing out on a table at Kanteen – with or without HOF staff as company – quickly passed as we tucked into our meals.

We found out later that K West's experienced head chef, Eduart Berisha has created the menu with a focus on modern British cuisine for a cosmopolitan clientele.

Our executive room was luxurious and spacious, with a widescreen TV and 'oversized bed'. The comfy sofa and original artwork gave it a homely feel, which we appreciated. Even the smallest rooms at K West are just under 300sq ft, but if you have more cash to play with you can consider one of the six suites at the upper end of the scale. These boast surround sound TV, walls of glass dividing the bedroom and lounge, two metre square beds and Philippe Starck designed baths and fixtures.

The next morning we finally took our seats in Kanteen. The restaurant is open and ambient. Ever changing artwork adorns the walls and are available to buy. It is perhaps a little smaller than we expected, but we couldn't fault the attentive waiter service or choice. A full English costs £9 or for those with a big appetite you can upgrade to the ultimate breakfast, which also includes a pot of tea, juice, and a cold starter, for £17.

K West is an upmarket hotel so be prepared to pay a little more, and that includes in the restaurant, however its well worth a visit for that special occasion.

  • If you are in the mood to be pampered, K Spa downstairs offers everything from a nail bar to a herbal steam room and 'Snow Paradise' area - this is a Finland inspired experience of alternating between freezing and steamy environments. There's also 'Sun Meadow' specialist light therapy to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, plus your standard gym.
  • Rooms at K West range from £125 per night or £540 for a luxury K Suite (including VAT).