Stanley's Chelsea

British, Vegan, Vegetarian·
££££
·

SquareMeal Review of Stanley's Chelsea

Walking into Stanley’s feels a little like you might have got yourself tangled up in the set of Made in Chelsea, complete with a clubby soundtrack that sets a tone of somewhere guests come hoping to be ‘seen’.

While the faux hanging blossom displays in the outdoor courtyard space aren’t perhaps to everyone’s tastes, they do create a pretty backdrop to some of London’s best people watching in a busy, buzzy setting. The crowd is decidedly demanding, with groups of friends and family gathering round the mix and match outdoor tables to enjoy chef Oliva Burt’s cooking (while putting the well-meaning, if a little hectic, front of house staff through their paces).

On our visit, small plates of cod’s roe dip and crispy prawns with a Siracha mayo both did the job of whetting the appetite well enough but were on the generous side of being well-seasoned. Mains brought perfectly cooked Dexter beef with a sweet onion puree that was crowned with a smoked egg yolk for a fun twist on a classic combo. Barbecued beetroot sadly lacked the chargrilled flavour it promised, but was sweet and satisfying, with the salty tang of goat’s cheese and herb oil cutting adding a nice edge. While plates weren’t piping hot or perfect, they were deftly balanced in flavour.

Pastry, you can tell, is Burt’s passion with delicately presented, precise puddings finishing things off. The infamous plums and custard from her MasterChef competition line up looked beautiful with a ring of biscuit adorned with flowers topping a small pot of creamy custard and ticked the sweet, creamy and fruity boxes. Elsewhere, death by chocolate came as a sort of caramelised ganache which was complimented by a rich butter cake that held up well against the intense flavours elsewhere in the mix.

In line with the food, the cocktail menu is concise, offering just a handful of classic serves, and wine starts from a very reasonable £30 a bottle for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
British, Vegan, Vegetarian
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Dark and moody, Fun, Glamorous, Lively, Quiet conversation, Romantic, Unique, Widely spaced tables
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Dog friendly, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions

About

Found just off the King’s Road in the heart of Chelsea, Stanley’s opened its doors just after lockdown ended hoping – we assume – to take advantage of lots of cooped up Londoners looking for a new place to enjoy dining out again.

Described on the website as ‘a secret garden in Chelsea’, the décor appeals to the Instagram set with plenty of faux hanging blossom stretching across the outdoor courtyard space, with marble tables and soft green touches throughout. Inside, things are a little cosier, thanks to bare brick walls and plush soft furnishings, while the finish is a bit mix and match. The best seats in the house, we think, are in the lean-to conservatory section that spans the space between indoor and out, with views of the garden but the comfort of an inside atmosphere. It might seem obvious but the picture-pretty elements draw a well-heeled crowd of people keen to take advantage of the photo opportunity, so be prepared for some posing.

The main menu is kept short but sweet and focuses on ingredient-led dishes with particular attention paid to presentation. Starters come in the form of a flurry of small plates with combinations like British burrata with courgette, peas and pesto, as well as whipped cod's roe with spring crudites and Isle of White tomatoe with peach, sunflower seeds and basil.

Main dishes are carefully curated and offer something for everyone. Meat eaters will love the West Country spring lamb with asparagus and grape must sauce, while pescatarians are covered with fresh, day boat fish or Atlantic cod with sea vegetables and Jerusalem artichoke. As for vegetarian diners, the graffiti aubergine with burnt onion and apricot harissa sounds delicious. 

Lending itself to both a special occasion restaurant and a place for quick midweek meals, Stanley’s has gained a reputation within one London’s fanciest boroughs for good reason.

Menu Highlights

Starters
Braised Fennel - £13.00

Winter tomato, Nduja Mayo, Parsley


FAQs

Can I book Stanley's?

Yes, we strongly recommend booking Stanley's, booking can be completed online or by phone.

Helpful? 0

Is there a dress code?

No, there is no dress code for Stanley's. However, diners may wish to dress smart casual due to the nature of the restaurant.

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This venue also offers

Stanley's Chelsea
Private Group Dining

Stanley's Chelsea

Stanley's Chelsea
Christmas Parties

Stanley's Chelsea

Location

151 Sydney Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6NT

020 7352 7664 020 7352 7664

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 12:00-23:30
Tue 12:00-23:30
Wed 12:00-23:30
Thu 12:00-23:30
Fri 12:00-23:30
Sat 12:00-23:30
Sun Closed

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

05 May 2021  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Pleased to finally tried this Gem....Food well executed, terrace is beautiful, vibe very cool, service was on point.

Ate there last night with friends for wife's birthday having previously been booked during lockdown. 1st timers and really happy to have discovered this gem. Execution of the food was brilliant (cod Roe was stunning/historic..english burrata creamy and the in season asparagus creatively done, who doesn't like asparagus in May?). Chocolate fondant was perfect. Good but limited choice of wines (satisfies mosts tastes and budgets) decent bar/drinks list and friend's margaritas went down very well. We had one issue (the one fish dish on menu was sold out due to popular demand) but Hugh looked after us. We had to wait a whole 5 mins for our table, having arrived early! the place was buzzing with a real mix of people/Social distancing and screens perfect, terrace beautifully decked out in flowers, lots of rugs and sheepskin cushions..we felt like we had just come off the mountain...can't wait to return and enjoy in the summer months. Have a feeling this will become a new favourite of ours...hope we will be able to get a reservation!!

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