After setting up The Frog in both Hoxton and Covent Garden, Adam’s latest venture goes by his own name and you’ll find it in Chelsea’s rather swanky Belmond Cadogan hotel.
Adam Handling Chelsea has recently launched a very well-priced set lunch menu, which is an excellent way of fine-dining without the Made in Chelsea price tag. We went along to check it out…
We’d recommend a glass of English sparkling wine in the beautiful bar before your booking if you have time. From there you’ll walk past the open kitchen (with very friendly hellos from the chefs), into a smart dining room complete with fireplace, flowers and some of the chicest cutlery and most delicate wine glasses we’ve enjoyed of late.
Priced at £37 for two courses, or £45 for three (which includes a glass of wine and tea or coffee), our set lunch started with *that* chicken butter and a fresh-out-of-the-oven mini loaf of bread. We can see why it’s become a bit of a signature.
There is a choice of three options per course, but each and every one sounded delicious. This menu is all killer and no filler.
A delicate starter of grilled octopus nestled under salad leaves, slices of new potato and splodges of salsa verde kicked things off. Making use of British seasonal ingredients, we adored our punchy main of wild garlic risotto, a vivid green dish topped with lightly charred tenderstem broccoli, dotted with curd and almond flakes. Managing to be comforting yet light enough for lunch, all in one. The confit salmon was also memorable, paired with smoked aubergine, capers and artichoke it was a perfectly put together combination of flavours.
Desserts really upped the wow factor though. Perhaps compressed cucumber wouldn’t be the first thing that springs to mind when ordering your pud but you’d be seriously missing out. It’s a deconstructed dish with white chocolate, fragrant dill and burnt basil, with a clever dry ice-esque liquid poured over it at the table. If chocolate for dessert is a must, you’ll love the chocolate stout, with umami whipped miso and buckwheat crumb.
Despite going for a set menu, you’ll still be treated to a mango flavoured palette cleanser before dessert and flavoured truffles with your coffee, so it doesn’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. All in all, we reckon that this is exceptional value in a glorious setting. Special enough or birthdays or celebrations, but equally appropriate for a post-Sloane Square shopping spree, we’d be very happy to make the trip west again.
Lunch Menu at Adam Handling Chelsea served daily from 12 pm – 2.30 pm
£37 for two courses
£45 for three courses
includes one glass of wine and tea or coffee
