No 11 Pimlico Road - Chelsea's Most Instagrammable Restaurant?

Let’s examine what makes a restaurant Instagram-able, shall we?

//ONE// Drenched in natural light streaming in from large windows and bouncing onto high ceilings off mirrors. Bonus if those mirrors are vintage or ‘distressed’. //TWO// Trendy (yet enduring) design elements galore: marble tables, succulents table centrepieces, subway tiles, eclectic mishmash of furniture. //THREE// Fairly quiet between typical dining hours — the perfect ‘working hard or hardly working’ destination for the freelance loafer seeking their ‘mobile office’ du jour (plus points if there are cocktails!) //FOUR// In a fashionable part of town, convenient for ‘meetings' (meeting = me eating) and impromptu photoshoots because no carefully composed #ootd should go undocumented. //FIVE// Free wi-fi (did not investigate, as my 4G more than sufficed)

No 11 Pimlico Road ticks all these boxes with a big 'check' emoji (you know, this one ✔). When I read Emma's blog post about this charming Chelsea independent pub and restaurant the first thought that popped into my head was this place is just begging to be photographed! Because you know, I see everything through a camera lens now — I frame every scene and I even hear the click click of a shutter even when I don’t have a camera on me (true story).

Yesterday’s plan was to take advantage of London’s unseasonable spell of sunshine with a quick photoshoot for Regimental Vintage (and for myself, naturally — I'd bought a pair of pyjama bottoms Zara striped trousers I was eager to break in). Alas, there is too much of a good thing. After a failed attempt to open our eyes long enough take photos against the overexposed white steps of the Tate Britain, I gave up but not before fantasising how different things would’ve been if I’d studied at adjacent Chelsea College of Arts instead of St. Martins — would I have sat on the steps of the Tate and ate lunch ala Blair and her immaculately acessorized Gossip Girls? 

I thought we’d walk over to No 11 Pimlico Road to wait out the squinty weather. (Turns out that part of Pimlico Road is actually in Chelsea. A 24 minute walk from the Tate in this heat? Not bloody likely) As we waited for our Uber, we planned to have a late lunch for as long as it took for the sun to retreat. We ended up eating ourselves into a stupor and melting into the sofa like a pair of slugs, before dragging our feet over to Peter Jones where I um-ed and ah-ed over a candle before giving up the good fight and calling yet another car back to Shoreditch.

Happily for 11 Pimlico Road (and us) their substance matched their style. The food was delicious, and more importantly the selection of vegetarian dishes are decent. I’ve got one foot in on the vegetarian side for several reasons; health, economy, and ethical, saving meat for special occasions or for when I can be sure that it’s as humane as possible. I did cave in and had a chicken salad, though, and I have no regrets. 

Is there anything more welcome than a refreshing Dandelion and Burdock soda on a scorching day? 

Yes — two Dandelion and Burdock sodas.

Henry and I shared the house made fries with aioli and an incredibly delicious truffle macaroni cheese. 

Henry was pleased with his main; sticky lentils and buratta with kale pesto and marinated fennel which he reported as 'simple, hearty, and clever'.

Drizzled in lime juice and tossed with avocado, pear, and chicken marinated in coconut milk, my salad was gorgeously sweet and creamy yet light with Thai influences coming through. I'd absolutely recommend it for anyone who wants a healthy dish with a touch of indulgence.

My choice of pudding was one of my favourites — panna cotta — and sweet baby Cheesus, that buttermilk, orange, and raspberry coulis hit the spot. The coulis could be less tart but then again how else would I wake myself up at the end of a meal? Yes, I know of a thing called coffee — you're talking to some who just bought 200 Nespresso capsules and tried to file it under 'business expenses' — but I left the coffee-drinking to Henry and decided to be the player who would take on for the team because between the both of us there was only one stomach who could squeeze in another course. And no, sharing is not an option. Not when sweets are at stake.

Verdict? No 11 Pimlico Road is as gastronomically delightful a restaurant as it is aesthetically pleasing. One for the foodies, food bloggers, and design enthusiasts who like their decor with a side of delicious. Find them at 11 Pimlico Road, naturally. x

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