Item: Chapter One
Rating: 64
Author: Major Foodie

Established South London restaurant that has been in and out of Michelin starred status but with the same, pleasant dining room befitting casual lunches as well as special evening occasions equally

12th May 2015
31st March 2012

This is my second visit to Chapter One and remains a serene and stylish restaurant with its own convenient car park and situated immediately off the A21. Unfortunately the restaurant lost its Michelin star in late 2014 and the food on this visit did not seem very different at all to my last visit in 2012 (when it held a Michelin star) so I am unsure why this has been removed. On this visit the food was just as stylish with some very nice moments including the chicken dish being sumptuous and the olive oil mash puree being absolutely wonderful, however the mash was every so slightly too salty and the poached egg in the starter was over cooked resulting in only half being able to mix with the pea velouté. Service remained very welcoming but quite inconsistent in terms of expediency. Still a very nice venue if one wishes style and can forgive a lack of polish here and there.

Food Grade: 67%

: Poached egg in pea velouté

: Salad and black pudding

: Garlic risotto

: Salmon

: Chicken anglaise

: Olive oil mash puree

: Peanut butter and chocolate

: Petits fours

: The lunch bill for 3

One Michelin starred at time of this review. A lovely restaurant with a comfortable and stylish design and handy bespoke car park for diners. After waiting a while at the door until we were greeted, the cooking was clean and unquestionably skilled but just somehow fell shy of being special. The cooking was inoffensive in any way, yet I couldn’t help think that there was more to offer. I left with the feeling of having a pleasant experience but nothing to sing about. Another visit is merited to give it another go.

Food Grade: 61%