The Bluebird is a landmark on the King’s Road with an enterprising collection of spaces. From the quaint street café and cobbled courtyard to the polished restaurant and bar up on the first floor – this multi-faced venue has always been on west Londoner’s radar.
Following a restaurant renovation back in 2016, The Bluebird has pinpointed itself back on the fine-dining map. Calling in Sagrada, the designers of The Arts Club – the restaurant has taken on a striking new interior made up of indoor mature trees, industrial exposed steel red beams, deep booths and bespoke Celia Birtwell textiles. Epitomizing the exclusive, however relaxed and refined atmosphere of a private member’s club; this west London restaurant has done an impressive job transforming itself into a desirable space for discerning diners and seasoned drinkers.
In the centre of the dining space, beneath the branches of the indoor trees, we are seated around one of the centrally positioned circular booths. Flutes of champagne set the tone for the evening with a generous menu that endeavours to tick as many boxes from snacks, oysters, starters, mains and grill dishes. We order pressed chicken and foie gras terrine and salt and Szechuan pepper squid – these dishes are elegantly international and universally inoffensive – others are steak tartare, tiger prawns and a Dorset crab dish. Main courses are also designed around a variety of global tastes brought in by The Bluebirds civilised diners. Special occasion or not, the 550g Chateaubriand for two certainly marks the evening, served pink with grilled romaine and straw potatoes.
A wash of flavours, ingredients and sides to cater to a myriad of tastes, this culinary concept is clearly illustrated in the collection of à la carte main course dishes. From grilled hake, vegetable en croute, roasted duck breast and a lobster spaghetti and dessert dishes such as pineapple carpaccio and sticky toffee & date pudding; lighter dishes sit alongside more indulgent – adapting to whatever the occasion or time of day. And for wine, The Bluebirds comprehensive list comes with the restaurant’s sommelier.
Looking past the indoor trees and reinvented new bar, this relaunch also came complete with a new Executive Chef: Simon Gregory. Marrying up a new menu and cocktail list, Simon Gregory’s dishes bring The Bluebird back up to speed within the setting of the 1923 Art Deco building – re-establishing the capacious space to ensure it doesn’t fade into the King’s Road and remains a neighbourhood favourite throughout the year.
The Bluebird: 350 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UU, 020 7559 1000, www.bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
