Chelsea Kitchen

I used to go to the Chelsea Kitchen in the early 70's. The Chelsea Kitchen brought something way beyond food to many people - Of course the food was fantastic and cheap (I remember coq au vin costing 35p) but what it brought whilst you were in there, or even heading toward it, was a kind of dream of things being all right in the world. You can't replace a thing like that... it was a bit like the pollo in old compton street. I know this is nostaligic and I don't usually go in for that - but why oh why do these ridiculous and absurd money grabbing landlords ruin everything when when they die, they will go to their graves leaving all their profits behind them - the fools for making it worse for everyone....
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Terry
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 21, 2009

My 8-year-old son & I turned up to the Chelsea Kitchen on 03/11/06, and were both devastated to find its demise, feeling quite lost!!! Even his mummy (from Kazakstan) was sad to hear the news. I echo every other review referring to its closure, having been a loyal fan for a month short of 29 years (I was 19 when I first went; about £4.50 for 2 expensive mains & a bottle of red)!!!

I must admit that I didn't think of the Stockpot, but that is because it/they isn't quite what the Chelsea Kitchen was; rather like Nineteen (Mossop Street) always had the edge on the Bistro Vinos (all now no longer). Le Shop/Astrix/Asterix closed some years ago, and even the old Tootsies (now a reasonable chain) at Parsons Green. Gone is the independent "cheap & cheerful", or very nearly (Daquise), around Chelsea/Fulham/South Ken!

The Chelsea Kitchen was exactly what it said on the tin!
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Nigel Kellett
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 28, 2008

We were devastated to discover the Chelsea Kitchen had closed, having loved it for at least 35 years! We have discovered though that some of the old regulars have decamped to the Stockpot 273 Kings Road - further up the road on the other side. Probably a 10 minute walk but worth it. Nothing will ever come up to sharing a carafe with friends under the arches but this is probably the next best thing.

Janet P and family
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Janet Pamment - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 05, 2007

I grew up in Royal Avenue and discovered the CHELSEA KITCHEN in 1960.s and for ever after i always, but always, homed in there to eat well, cheaply and relax and unwind! I am absolutely devastated that the Cadogan Estate is too mean and greedy to retain it instead of shutting it down via mega rent hikes..!! Come on Earl and co. - just how much money do you need to survive? How can you sleep at night knowing you are responsible, via greed, for closing down a super eatery, meeting place, and fine local value for money institution! My memories go back many years, i have taken many people there who were instant devotees, my now grownup daughter too has been happy there! Talk about yanking Memory Lane from under us!

Sleep well Cadogan Estate...remember, one day you too will be yanked from this mortal coil, and you will not be able to take a penny with you!!

A furious Maddalena and family and friends! From all over the world.....
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madeleine jones - London
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 25, 2007

I've read today on an old portuguese newspaper ("Diário Popular", 1966) that Chelsea Kitchen was runned in the sixties by a portuguese fellow, Jorge Castilho, from Luanda (Angola, than a portuguese colony).

I myself ate at the Chelsea Kitchen in March 1970, when I was in Oakley Street. I knew some portuguese girls who worked at the Kitchen. I remember Chelsea Drugstore as well. I still have some purple paper bags.

LPA
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, September 15, 2007

Please help! why oh why has the Chelsea Kitchen closed down. I have been going there since the sixties and have introduced my children (now adults) to the delights of the Kitchen's menu, no visit to the Kings Road was complete without a visit to the Kitchen and whatever the weather I always had Spanish omelette, chips and peas and, the greatest pudding on earth, chocolate trifle! What are we to do now? Nothing else compares - just good honest food, good atmosphere and service and good pricing. A legend!
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Jo Sirkin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Can someone please tell me why this wonderful place has closed down.
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Maria-Luisa Battistini
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

I have known the Chelsea Kitchen since the early '60s - my flatmates and I lived in Royal Avenue, just across the road! We used to eat there all the time - fantastic,cheap, good food - we loved it. Returned after many years abroad with my young children - they are now in early 20s and they have many happy memories of pancakes and spag bol. My daughter has just rung me (we now live in Devon) to say that she went there today and it was boarded up - what has happened - it is more than a great place it is an institution ! Where ever will we go now - let alone all the people we have recommended it to.
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Jenny Dawson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 20, 2007

I have been going to the Chelaea kitchen for many many years, I worked in the Kings Road at Elliotts shoe shop in the early 70's and have, since moving to the south coast enjoyed many a good scoof at very reaonable prices when visiting London, So I was devastated to find on Friday 26th Jan the Chelsea kitchen all boarded up does anyone know why?
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N Cusack
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 28, 2007