Harden's survey result
Summary
Former Square chef, “Philip Howard’s magical touch” is evident in much of the “very well-realised, modern and light” ‘flexitarian’ cuisine at his grown-up HQ, in one of the posh side streets surrounding Brompton Cross. Ambience-wise, it’s not a riot, but “unustuffy”, “very civilised and not noisy”. Incidents of “inept performance” post-Covid continue to drag on its rating for service, but most reporters are “very well looked after” and a typical report is of a “truly delightful” meal.
Summary
Phil Howard – “in a former life, the chef at The Square, where he held two Michelin stars” – continues to deliver “sophisticated, precise and light” ‘flexitarian’ cuisine at his “quietly situated” Chelsea HQ, where he has been ensconced for the last six years now. It’s rather “grown up” in style – “the atmosphere is very much of understated wellbeing” and the room “spacious”. As at some other establishments, though, the pressures of the era dent its ratings this year: “post Covid, the previously first class service is not quite as slick as it was: still professional, but just missing a beat every now and then”, and this can sometimes lead to a “lacklustre” overall impression. Many fans, though, still feel “you can’t go wrong” here. Top Tip – “fair wine prices”.
Summary
“Full of bright, light flavours” – and from a superbly imaginative, “fresh and varied menu” – Phil Howard’s “splendid” ‘flexitarian’ cuisine continues to delight and inspire at this Chelsea five-year-old, in a chichi backstreet. “No expense accounters here – just real people spending their own money on wonderful food in a really friendly contemporary environment”, and with notably “attentive but unobtrusive” staff. Its ratings blipped slightly this year, and even a diner reporting his best meal of the year felt it was “struggling to find its rhythm, as so many places are post-lockdown”. More typically, though, diners “are thrilled to come back here” – “during the lockdowns, he kept us going with civilized, assemble-at-home meals, but the reopening has made us realize what a master he is. Carry on!!!”.
Summary
Phil Howard “is going from strength to strength” at his “vibrant and lively” four-year-old, tucked away in a chichi Chelsea backstreet, where survey ratings scaled new heights this year. Deceptively, the slightly “austere” room “has the feel of a high-quality, neighbourhood local, but standards of food and service are, by contrast, top class”. “Phil has gone back to basics” with his culinary approach and his “beautiful, clever dishes are a delight”: “really inspired cooking using seasonal ingredients and recipes” with a “light touch” and “superb precision”. Famously, he’s more ‘flexitarian’ in approach than when he was at The Square and “while it’s not a vegetarian restaurant, it delivers some of the most interesting gastronomic vegetarian dishes ever!” Service is “outstanding” too – “interested, engaged and good communicators”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Elystan Street?
43 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT
Restaurant details
Elystan Street Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Heavy sauces and some unusual combinations spoilt the food. And we had a table with no overhead light, so when the room lights were dimmed we couldn’t see what we were eating; rookie error that could easily be fixed if management were paying attention."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £35.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 115.00 | 6 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £26.50 | £39.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £62.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £7.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
43 Elystan Street, London, SW3 3NT
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑2100 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑2100 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑2100 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑2100 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑21 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑2:45 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm |
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