Part of the revamped dining room at The LaLee
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Chelsea has a new neighbourhood dining spot. Newly opened at The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, on Sloane Street is The LaLee. Named after the railway car used by royal mistress Lillie Langtry when she travelled (part of the restaurant comprises her actual house), this restaurant aims to recreate the grand cafes of Europe, overlooking Cadogan Place gardens.
From the terrace outside through to the mirrored dining room, this all-day space is designed to be perfect for popping into at any time. There are all-day dishes like potato rosti with fried egg as well as the kind of classic grand cafe dishes that are perfect for sharing.
We popped down to Chelsea for a preview of the LaLee's menu.
Burrata with pumpkin and pomegranate - a very seasonal take on an always-popular starter, swapping out the usual tomatoes for autumnal pumpkin (£14).
Lobster cocktail - upgrade from the usual prawn to an altogether more luxurious option (£19)
There's a section of the menu devoted to dishes that are given a final flourish at your table, including Dover sole and Caesar salad. It also includes the LaLee's beef tartare (£20). This is mixed tableside (see above) and you're able choose the level of seasoning, such as how much tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. It's topped off with an egg yolk for its finishing touch.
BBQ lobster with Cafe de Paris sauce and fries (£35) - this is from the Grand Cafe classic dishes section and features perfect fries with the lobster given a kiss of smoke from the barbecue.
From the grill, there's a rack of lamb with courgettes and sauce vierge (£28)
Sweet tooth
As you'd imagine, or indeed hope, the dessert section features all manner of enticing treats including an apple tart tatin for two to share and rum baba. We opted for
Paris-Brest comes with peaks of caramelised hazelnuts and is perfect for two to share if you're feeling particularly generous towards your dining partner.
New wine list and cocktails
As far as drinks go, the decision to put more than 80 wines by the glass on the menu at The LaLee makes it a perfect place to try something you might not be familiar with, or have had the chance to try before. There's a Grand Cru Gevrey Chambertin as well as a special English sparkling wine created for the hotel by the Rathfinney Wine Estate.
They've also completely revamped the cocktail list...
The new cocktail menu takes as its inspiration the European cities that Langtry loved. We tried the floral Mimosa al Garibaldi which is finished off tableside with Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and their Rome-Groni made with espresso-infused Campari.
There's more to come...
We hear that they're opening a chic Champagne bar in 2022 that you're going to want to know about. It'll be a good idea to follow The Cadogan on Instagram where they'll be revealing the details.
More about The LaLee
Where is it? The Cadogan, 75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG
How to book: book online
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @belmondcadogan.
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