On the Saturday during Fashion Week I went for lunch with my BFF Rachel from thenudestylist.com at Gallery Mess, the restaurant adjoined to the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. The space itself is listed, with exposed brick walls decorated with neon signs and contemporary art from Andy Warhol to Cy Twombly, high vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the al fresco terrace and the green. We were greeted and seated by our friendly waiter Nelson and started with a lychee martini and a bowl of big green Nocellara olives.
The menu is perfect for long weekend lunches with all the brunch big-hitters and brasserie favourites, with a great selection of British seafood. We shared half a dozen Colchester rock oysters before tucking into the absolutely delicious seafood sharing board of citrus cured salmon, mackerel paté, smoked eel, peeled prawns, beach herbs, lemon creme fraiche with brown bread and seaweed butter. The Eco Organic Torrontes from Argentina was recommended as a good pairing with the seafood, and we shared a steak tartare and fries before admitting defeat.
Despite being too full for dessert, we were brought a little plate of chocolate truffles to go with our espresso martinis before we headed back out to the LFW madness. If you're looking for a chic all-day dining venue in Chelsea, check it out - stylish venue, great food, charming staff: tick, tick, tick. The afternoon tea looked fantastic too.
Gallery Mess, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square, Kings Road, SW3 4RY
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