It’s summer in London and you’re looking for a central dining venue that captures the timeless appeal of the sunny Italian Riviera? Look no further than Chucs Restaurant Mayfair, a nautical haven on Dover Street, away from the bustle of nearby Piccadilly shoppers, commuters and black cabs. The electric blue awning of Chucs Mayfair is an open invitation to relax with good food and company at the intimate, 8-linen-dressed-table restaurant, styled with blonde wood-panelling and polished brass rails, just like a classic yacht ready to transport guests to the glamorous shores of the Amalfi Coast. Take a seat on the comfortable blue leather banquette, order a Spritz and no matter what the British weather! That said, Chucs diners choosing to sit outside are always allocated a table indoors, just in case.
An off-shoot of the 1950s-inspired Chucs swimwear brand founded by Charles Finch, the walls are lined with photographs of well known Riviera-lovers like Brigitte Bardot and Grace Kelly, along with stunning shots of the glistening azure waters and colourful harbours like those of Cinque Terre. La Dolce Vita indeed. First opened on Dover Street in 2014, AA Gill accurately described the 18-cover (and therefore extremely exclusive-feeling) Chucs Mayfair as a “a fantasy made real in miniature.” It’s no coincidence that all Chucs Restaurants are located in the well-heeled areas of Kensington, Chelsea and Belgravia, however the menu prices are not as steep as you might expect, while in a clever attempt to entice a new audience to their romantic concept, Chucs Café opened next door late last year offering Mayfairers Italian favourites on the go, from award-winning coffee to freshly baked pastries and generously-filled focaccia sandwiches.
Meanwhile, the all-day restaurant menu is precisely what you crave during a heatwave – simple, yet elegantly prepared Italian dishes like melt-in-the-mouth burrata with fresh basil pesto and Datterini tomatoes, or their holiday-vibeing grilled prawns with chilli, garlic and gremolata like the kind you once had sitting at an Italian harbour-side restaurant. Or you may prefer to order a selection of cicchetti to nibble on while you work your way through the new drinks menu featuring bespoke Malfy Gin serves, including the ‘Riviera Negroni’ and ‘St Tropeztini’, even more delectable alongside Nocellara olives and the addictive truffle arancini, especially given that the arancini are complimentary with any two cocktails! Wine lovers can take advantage of the 50% discount on any wine up to the value of £200 on Mondays, or you’re welcome to bring along your favourite bottle and take advantage of their £4.50 corkage. Non drinkers like myself and my husband are also catered for with a good selection of alcohol-free cocktails such as the ‘Marine Spritz’ featuring Everleaf Marine with its notes of zesty bergamot and tropical sea buckthorn, muddled with elderflower cordial and topped with tonic.
I love the fact that, while there is glamour in abundance at Chucs Mayfair, there is a wonderful informality about both the ambiance and the menu, with the priciest dishes, the 10oz aged Hereford rib-eye and the lobster spaghetti, rubbing shoulders with a Chucs club sandwich, chopped salad, smash burger and selection of pizzas – dishes which also feature on the Brunch menu, a firm fixture with Mayfair locals, as is the set menu (£30 for two courses or £35 for three). Given that there are only two chefs in the kitchen and two or three front of house servers, it almost feels like you’re being catered for by your very own private chef – one who understands all your foibles and dietary requirements. For example, many dishes are vegetarian and I was impressed to see that all pasta dishes can be made with gluten-free pasta so I didn’t have to miss out on their ultimate lobster spaghetti (gluten-free penne in my case), with its rich, bisque-style sauce and the most tender lobster meat. I felt like I was in Lady and the Tramp, seated at the prime corner window table with my love, as the balmy Mayfair night wafted in and aromas of our delicious Italian food wafted out, enticing many passers-by to try their luck (and sadly fail) for a table. It’s a great proposal venue if you both enjoy the finer things in life without a brigade of starched-collared waiters looming over you.
Desserts are simple yet decadent and summery, from the selection of quality gelato (husband raved about the pistachio) and Chucs signature tiramisu and crème brulée to the creamy white chocolate parfait with fresh passion fruit which tempted me despite the huge bowl of pasta I hadn’t managed to finish – the perfect finale to a Mayfair date night. The only thing that could possibly go wrong would be rocking up at Chucs Mayfair without a reservation and being turned away, as we witnessed several times on the night we dined. Although it has a neighbourhood feel, make a reservation!
Chucs Mayfair, 30 Dover Street, London W1S 4NB. For more information and reservations (!) please visit the website.
