Harden's survey result
Summary
“A class act that consistently punches above its weight”: this low-key but high-quality Chelsea indie (opened in 2011) flies somewhat under the radar in terms of PR profile, but regularly ranks in the top 40 most-mentioned restaurants in our annual diners’ poll. Joe Mercer Nairne’s “superior” modern British cuisine is “always a delight”, often “special” and comes at a “reasonable price”. Service (overseen by co-owner David O’Connor) is “likewise expert” and it’s “well worth asking the sommelier to recommend something offbeat”, as there are “some unusual gems on the wine list”. And while the interior is “low key”, the atmosphere is “conducive to a wonderful evening”. “It’s not clear why it lost its Michelin star”: “it should have regained it long ago”. Top Tips – “the tarte Tatin for two is to die for. Corkage of £10 at lunchtimes and £25 in the evenings is one of London’s great bargains”.
Summary
“Consistency and total professionalism” have won a major following (in the Top 40 most-mentioned names this year) for Joe Mercer Nairne and David O’Connor’s “first class” and “always welcoming” destination in a nondescript corner of Chelsea, which transcends its neighbourhood character (“it’s a bit of a cheek-by-jowl affair”) by attracting a far-flung fan club. Reporters have often cited Joe’s cuisine as worthy of a Michelin star (which it briefly held) and he continues to win praise for well-judged cooking that’s “good value, too, considering the quality” (even if its ratings slipped a smidgeon this year on some reports that were “good but not outstanding”). The “fabulous wine list” is also a major attraction in its own right. “Sommelier Melania has put together a stellar selection from across the world, at fair mark-ups, and with plenty of variety”. And “the £10 corkage deal at lunch is an added incentive to regular visits”. “It’s filled with people who love great food, and not just another trendy ‘place to be seen.”
Summary
“Well worth a visit in this remote corner of Chelsea”: this “outstanding oasis in Worlds End” has won a big culinary reputation, and chef Joe Mercer-Nairne “maintains high standards year-in-year-out”, with a “classic French approach that’s not so over-refined as to suck enjoyment out of it”. “Very good ingredients are cooked with great care, love and attention, but not overdone, nor over-fancy”. Service is of a very “high class” too, while the interior is “sophisticated” (“if a little cramped”). “It’s another surprising omission from the Michelin star list: is it because it’s at the wrong end of the King’s Road?”
Summary
“Well worth a visit in this remote corner of Chelsea”: this “outstanding oasis in Worlds End” has won a big culinary reputation, and chef Joe Mercer-Nairne “maintains high standards year-in-year-out”, with a “classic French approach that’s not so over-refined as to suck enjoyment out of it”. “Very good ingredients are cooked with great care, love and attention, but not overdone, nor over-fancy”. Service is of a very “high class” too, while the interior is “sophisticated” (“if a little cramped”). “It’s another surprising omission from the Michelin star list: is it because it’s at the wrong end of the King’s Road?”
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Medlar Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great value lunch. Superb food and a BYO option"
"Maintaining really high standards over a decade and more: imaginative cooking with a range of ingredients, a very generous choice on a reasonably priced lunch menu, pleasant service."
"Established west Chelsea foodie destination with attentive and refined service. Little changing menu somewhat tired and lacking former edge. Starters of Marinated tomatoes with cured trout rather muddled flavours, Blue Cheese and beetroot a somewhat crude assembly of chunks of cheese and beet with very small if excellent crisp tiny onion tart. Mains of Cornish Brill nicely cooked and well sauced and much enjoyed, Rump of lamb pink but touch of fridge taint and enveloped in undistinguished mix of onion with sad sad leaves plus soggy potato galette. Puddings good and all popular. Perhaps a chef's night off after Easter. "
"We are regulars here because it is excellent. Consistently good are the crab raviolo, the belted Galloway, guinea fowl. service is attentive and prompt. good wine list, if expensive, but possible to pay corkage which is a bonus. Very knowlegeable sommelier. Personally we prefer the front part of the room looking out onto the King's road, but some may enjoy the artificial foliage at the back. "
"Stalwart and reliable, seems to have recovered pre-Covid standards. Was a little bit ‘off’ last visit. Excellent tartare, well cooked veal, good cheese board. Grouse perhaps not as flavoursome as it could be. But overall very enjoyable. New staff need to be a bit more confident."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £40.00 | £45.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £60.00 | £70.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £43.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £6.00 |
| Service | 13.00% |
438 King's Rd, London, SW10 0LJ
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
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