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LONDON
On warmer and brighter days in London, one cannot help but yearn for a retreat to the coasts and be immersed in sunlight and seawater—a seemingly far-fetched idea at the moment with the recurrence of COVID. Though, no matter how much cosmopolitan charm our metropolis holds, every now and then there will come a time when only coastal breeze, open water and simply sailing away can remedy and reinvigorate our souls. At Chucs Belgravia, their interior reflects that of an ‘opulent yacht’ in line with refined traditional British design made contemporary and elegantly chic. We drop by to check out the restaurant on a long weekend in London as restaurants and bars begin to reopen in the city.
With wooden paneling and borders and polished brass rails against white woven walls and deep blue accents and sofas, this upscale nautical brasserie theme is noticeable as soon as you step into the venue. Like many establishments around the neighbourhood, there is a notable perchance for traditional interior styles revamped with a contemporary polish. Vintage prints of Amalfi and Cinque Terre along with art-deco style abstract art are hung around the restaurant's walls as a nod to their colourful and refreshing Italian cuisine. A large wooden bar with pink leather seats and the gorgeous vine leaves that reach around and adorn the archway separating the dining room and the bar lounge create a wonderfully open yet simultaneously intimate atmosphere. Their outdoor seating area adopts the classical nautical colour scheme of French navy and wood making it an elegant and inviting alfresco dining space for those wishing to enjoy their Cichetti and Spritzes out in the summer air.
Beloved Italian Classics
Their all-day menu packs a variety of Classico Italiano favourites. Particularly now with this summer heat, you’ll find a great selection of appetisers, Cicchetti and small bites. We started with two glasses of dry white wine, a 2019 Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi and started off our lunch with three Cichetti dishes: Truffle Arancini, Calamari Fritti and Pecorino & Potato Croquettes with Tomato Chutney.
The Calamari Fritti is topped and seasoned with paprika powder and cooked to a delicate and crispy texture – the only thing one could ever hope for when ordering calamari.
The Truffle Arancini was crispy in texture in a gorgeous golden colour, sat on a tempting bed of truffle mayonnaise underneath and had a wonderful bite into it.
The Pecorino & Potato Croquettes was the standout Cichetti of the trio, complimented perfectly by the Tomato Chutney served on the side.
The Chucs Chopped Cobb Salad was our first appetiser, organised neatly into sections of each chopped up ingredient within its bowl comprised of Chicken, Avocado, Egg, Bacon Bits, Cheddar and Parsley and its tangy, delicious dressing served on the side made of Olive Oil, Balsamic and White Wine Vinegar, Lemon, Mustard, Sesame Oil and Tabasco.
The Maple Cured Salmon with Baby Beetroots and Dill was our second appetiser. It was topped with a lovely crispy surprise of a rice cracker and the oaky sweetness of the salmon paired harmoniously with the beetroot sauce underneath and chopped tomatoes. A dollop of wasabi in each bite works wonderfully as a mild contrast to the sweet notes. The presentation of this starter was particularly stunning and caught our eyes with its vibrant and fresh colours, patterns and textures with the combination of all the ingredients.
We tried the Linguine with Cornish Crab, Chilli, Lemon and Pangrattato for one of our main courses and enjoyed the simple fresh flavours of crab that featured boldly as the highlight on this plate. The crispy onions with the addition of Parmigiano Reggiano created pleasing textures and lifted the entire dish
The Orecchiette with Italian Sausage, Broccoli and Provolone Piccante was recommended to us as one of their signature main dishes and we agreed wholeheartedly. Once again, bright and lively colours such as the vibrant shades of Verde appealed to my eye first, giving something like a simple plate of Orecchiette a refreshing uplift, and then to your appetite, tasting as pleasing as it looks.
By the end of our mains, we were simply too full to try any of their sweeter courses and rounded up our tasty lunch with cappuccinos. They do offer a small selection of classic Italian desserts such as their Chucs Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Cannoli and a selection of Ice Creams/Sorbets.
Experience A Taste of Chucs
Chucs is also not restricted solely to Belgravia, they have four other restaurants spread out around London in Mayfair, Westbourne Grove and St John’s Wood and two cafés situated in Chelsea and Kensington. It’s safe to say that Chucs has already proven themselves to be quite an established name around town and it’s not difficult to understand why. Chucs Belgravia is a gorgeous restaurant with an easy sophistication reflected in its ambience, food and faultless service. We would like to dedicate a special thanks from us to Joseph and Mateo who welcomed and hosted us during our lunch so warmly and to their waitstaff who provided attentive and outstanding service during our visit.
25 Eccleston St, London SW1W 9NP, United Kingdom, chucsrestaurants.com
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