Stanley’s Restaurant | Secret Garden In Chelsea

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Stanley’s restaurant and bar specialises in seasonal British cuisine.

Opening its doors in July 2020, Stanley’s is Hugh Stanley’s debut restaurant with food by head chef Olivia Burt (Masterchef’s The Professionals Finalist 2019).

“I am so excited to be launching Stanley’s a place for guests to come eat, drink and relax.

It’s a unique space in Chelsea with a large outside courtyard, cosy interiors alongside a great food and drink offering.

Menu wise we’ve tried to source everything from the UK which is very important to me. ”

– Hugh Stanley

The menu at Stanley’s is focussed on British seasonal produce showcasing the very best British ingredients in a relaxed and contemporary style.

The kitchen will be under the leadership of head chef Olivia Burt. Having trained at BallyMaloe Cookery School in Cork, Ireland, and Paris’s Le Cordon Bleu, Olivia completed her culinary studies and took a job at Joel Robuchon on the Champ Elysees in Paris, where she worked for a year before becoming a private chef. Olivia then returned back to London working at Claridge’s in Mayfair, starting out as part of the team for Simon Rogan’s Fera for 3 years before remaining at the hotel as sous chef.

Whilst fulfilling her role at the hotel, in early 2019 Olivia made the finals of the prestigious Roux Scholarship, the only female chef to do so in 4 years. At the age of 23, Olivia competed in BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals 2019.

The menu is uncomplicated, unpretentious and utterly delicious. This simplistic beauty comes in the form of small plates that can be enjoyed slowly, over drinks and during lengthy conversations – no rush and no fuss. The highlights from the menu include the sourdough crumpet, Cornish crab with potted shrimp and the beef tartar with pickled shallots and smoked egg yolk (pictured above).

Or for a light veggie option why not choose the Burratta with heritage tomatoes and rose… Yes please!

The courtyard is a perfectly designed refuge from the bustling London streets and can accommodate up to 60 people. Here you are welcomed by festoon lighting overhead and surrounded by potted plants. The courtyard has two central fixed octagonal seating units in a deep button back style upholstered in a green botanical print weave fabric.

These units have parasols and are fitted with petrified wood and viburnum style flowers creating a tree like effect which is lit up at night with lanterns for a dreamy outdoor setting. It’s worth noting that he octagonal seating is divided into sections which can sit up to six people separated by stained reclaimed wood painted in heritage green with fitted screens and was designed following the outbreak of COVID-19 to enable social distancing.

The outdoor space also has a courtyard bar made from reclaimed timber and sits next to the orangery that’s ideal for when the months start to turn cooler. The orangery painted in Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back features deep button fixed seating running along the back of the room covered in forest green leather with stain and polish timber ash timber top tables and bentwood chairs upholstered in parchment coloured leather with antique brass buttons. Fluted glass globe pendants hang over the fixed seating with timber shelving and planters.

Through the orangery guests enter the dining room which is able to sit thirty people painted in Farrow & Ball Black Blue with tub chairs covered in green leather and Zoffany woven fabric. A central banquette that can seat six to eight people in a deep button back style has been upholstered in mahogany leather with velvet details and a carved wooden beaded chandelier hangs overhead.

The back of the room has traditional style timber panelling in Farrow & Ball light grey with mid-century style chairs covered in deep green velvet and piped in blue velvet. The dining room houses the contemporary art collection with pieces from Catherine Miller’s gallery on Hollywood road.

Off the back of the dining room behind a crushed velvet curtain is the private dining room which can accommodate up to twelve people. Painted in Green Smoke with mid- century style chairs, mahogany leather cushions and piped in rush velvet and an entire wall has floor to ceiling wooden panelling in light grey with shelves housing antiques – we just love the design of this space.

The Stanley’s wine list is just as exquisite as the cuisine. Offering a carefully curated wine list put together in partnership with one of Chelsea’s oldest and most revered wine merchants Lea & Sandeman. Highlights of the list include the Stanley’s collaboration label with English sparkling wine producer Coates & Seely and their NV wines. If cocktails are more your thing though you can sip your way through a bellini or two, passionfruit martinis or the house special Stanley’s elderflower Collins.

To put it simply Stanley’s is a must visit this summer. To make a reservation or to find out more information visit the website here.

Images: Stanley’s restaurant & Bar