British, Modern Restaurants in Chelsea
1. The Five Fields
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
8-9 Blacklands Ter - SW3
“More like the Elysian fields!”: Taylor Bonnyman’s “congenial” but “unpretentious” Chelsea HQ (founded in 2013) doesn’t court publicity, but emerged with the survey’s highest food rating this year. With its “sophisticated” interior, “spectacular wine list” and “wonderful” service – “impeccably timed, professional, yet warm” – it’s long been hailed as an “outstanding all-rounder”. But it has hit a particularly impressive and consistent culinary stride in recent times, with not a single negative report received this year (and we received many reports). Head chef, Marguerite Keogh “strives for perfection, and the care and attention to detail of ingredients processed and plated is second to none”, delivering “divinely flavoured dishes” in a mould that’s “classic in style, but very modern in execution” – “witty and inventive, without being up itself or over-fussy”. Much of the produce is sourced from the restaurant’s own garden in East Sussex. Choose at lunch or dinner from a prix fixe three-course menu or alternative tasting option.
2. Hans’ Bar & Grill
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
164 Pavilion Road - SW1X
“A good addition to the area, but standards can be a bit rough and ready” is a balanced view on this “nice, bright venue” in a super-cute enclave off Sloane Street that’s part of nearby luxury boutique hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens. On most accounts, its “all-day menu is not too expensive for the area” making it a versatile choice for a meet-up in Chelsea; but there’s the odd ‘off’ report of meals “offering a masterclass of how not to do it”.
3. Medlar
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
438 King's Rd - SW10
“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?”
4. Rabbit
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
172 King’s Rd - SW3
“Truly delicious tapas” showcasing “great farm-sourced food”, with “some robust, well-judged flavours” win ongoing appreciation for the Gladwin brothers’ six-year-old King’s Road operation. There’s also a “cool vibe” to the “quirkily decorated room – loved it!”.
5. Elystan Street
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
43 Elystan Street - SW3
Phil Howard “is going from strength to strength” at his “vibrant and lively” four-year-old, tucked away in a chichi Chelsea backstreet, where survey ratings scaled new heights this year. Deceptively, the slightly “austere” room “has the feel of a high-quality, neighbourhood local, but standards of food and service are, by contrast, top class”. “Phil has gone back to basics” with his culinary approach and his “beautiful, clever dishes are a delight”: “really inspired cooking using seasonal ingredients and recipes” with a “light touch” and “superb precision”. Famously, he’s more ‘flexitarian’ in approach than when he was at The Square and “while it’s not a vegetarian restaurant, it delivers some of the most interesting gastronomic vegetarian dishes ever!” Service is “outstanding” too – “interested, engaged and good communicators”.
6. The Cross Keys
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
1 Lawrence Street - SW3
“Eager staff”, a proper “local pub atmosphere” and a “great menu” of modern British dishes make this a “real discovery” just a stone’s throw from the Thames. The oldest boozer in Chelsea (est. 1708), it has served pints to luminaries including JMW Turner, Dylan Thomas and Bob Marley.
7. Bluebird
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
350 King’s Road - SW3
This smart D&D London conversion of a Modernist 1920s car showroom on a prominent King’s Road site leaves reporters impressed by the venue if rather underwhelmed by the cuisine – “beautiful restaurant and nice service, they just need to up their game food-wise”. Situation normal, then, at this large space, which has never really capitalised fully on its potential.
8. The Enterprise
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
35 Walton St - SW3
Providing “faithful” service to an expensively dressed clientele in one of Chelsea’s prettiest streets – this “lovely local” (too posh really to qualify as a ‘gastropub’) has an excellent buzz and consistently well-rated food. As always, though, there’s the odd grumble here about its price level.
9. The Ivy Chelsea Garden
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
197 King's Rd - SW3
2017 Review: “The garden in summer is perhaps the finest in the capital” and the interior is “gorgeous” too, at this year-old Chelsea spin-off from the Theatreland original. Leaving aside the “magical” atmosphere however, there’s less to celebrate – staff are “badly organised”, “hubristic” and can indulge in “pushy table-turning”, while the “boring” brasserie fare underlines the fact that “it’s more a place to be seen than to eat”.
10. The Phoenix
British, Modern restaurant in Chelsea
23 Smith Street - SW3
2017 Review: With its “neighbourhood feel” and “relaxed atmosphere”, this Chelsea backstreet pub “exudes genuine happiness”. “Great food (not just the usual pub grub)”, that suits “the whole family”.
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