Restaurants

This raucous barn of a restaurant takes a ‘there goes the neighbourhood’ approach towards the snooty stretch of the King’s Road where it sits, legs akimbo: a Yankee in the Sloanes’ court. It’s certainly a loud joint, with a band playing downstairs, so it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for a romantic night out. Nevertheless, with a few friends and a few beers, it’s the ideal location for reasonably priced, well-cooked, substantial plates of food. The place looks like a bayou-side Cajun diner in southern Louisiana, with a rough wooden floor, big wooden tables, and metal signs on the wall with pithy sayings like: ‘Oysters: fried, stewed and nude’. Starters are made for sharing: jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese, deep-fried calamares, and leggy Alaskan snow crab claws. Mains are made for gorging: large, fire-grilled steaks, enormous burgers, broiled lobster, and sticky barbecue ribs. A party atmosphere prevails. Rumour has it that Prince William has been here, but that’s hard to imagine. If you’re after a down-to-earth place in posh Chelsea, this could be it.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008