Brunch At Chelsea’s Campaner Restaurant
Blown Away By A Delicious Brunch At Chelsea’s Campaner Restaurant
We made our way up to the heart of Chelsea on one of the first Sundays of Spring and sauntered down the surprisingly quiet blossom lined streets. As we arrived at The Campaner, which is located in an open and stunning square, overlooking the recently restored Grade II listed Garrison Chapel, we were warmly greeted at the eclectic and stylish restaurant.
This Catalonian themed eatery is large and spacious and has become a popular destination for those looking for a brunch which offers a bit more than “avocado on toast”. Offering Spanish cuisine with a distinct feeling of sophistication, Campaner opened in 2023 and really offers a perfect combination of authentic and delicious Spanish food, in a modern and contemporary environment.
Staff were informal but professional and we were shown our table which was outside on the terrace, with blankets and heaters on standby for cold breezes. We were talked through their latest weekend tapas menu which is based on the Catalan tradition of ‘Vermuteo’.
The Vermuteo ritual in Catalonia, sees friends and family gather on weekends to enjoy tapas with beers, vermouth and wine and the array of dishes is extensive and impressive.
The Campaner has recreated this at its Chelsea Barracks restaurant, offering a delightful experience for food-lovers looking for a unique way to spend their weekend, enjoying delicious tapas whilst being immersed in a cultural experience.
We started off with a selection of Spanish cured meats, and a selection of Spanish and British cheeses. These were tasty and fresh, served with olives and pickles, it was a perfect grazing start to the brunch.
We also had mussels in escabeche, which was tasty and although served cold, it was salty and the sauce was perfect for some obligatory bread dipping,
The pinnacle for me was the Andalusian-style Baby Squid which was cooked to perfection , the batter wasn’t over bearing at all. Served with chili, lemon and a perfectly balanced aioli, this dish was the main event for us.
Plentiful and delicious, eating this squid in the sunshine, we could have easily been brunching on a beach near Barcelona, and not known any different.
Whilst portions weren’t huge, there were a wide selection of them, with the bread based dishes came last but not least.
The lobster brioche roll and homemade potato crisps were sublime, the sweetness of the bread combined perfectly with the lobster and the simple pan con tomato was beautifully presented on fresh crusty bread, with the tomatoes sweet ripe and succulent. We finished off with some manchego cheese and dried fruits.
As we walked away from this Spanish secret tucked away in the barracks of Chelsea, I did think to myself that if we don’t manage to book a holiday abroad any time soon, I might sneak down to The Campaner with some friends to get an injection of Spanish life and food in the sunshine.
There is also a dimly lit bar hidden away from the outside world called The Clandesti, so certainly another reason for a return trip.
Vermuteo is available every weekend at The Campaner Restaurant from 11am- 1pm.
Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Square, London, SW1W 8BG
Menu: thecampaner.com
