15 Reasons Why Chiltern Firehouse Is THE Celebrity Place To Be Seen At Right Now
David Beckham, One Direction & Cara Delevingne are all fans. But Why?
You only have to see the paps waiting on the cobblestones outside to know you've reached Chiltern Firehouse. London's hottest new restaurant has a stream of A-list names that reads like a red carpet guest list hobbling out of its gates each night. And it doesn't get much hotter than housing David Beckham's H&M swimwear launch after-party with a couple of the One Direction boys.
So just why is Chiltern THE place to be seen right now and what's the secret to its celebrity magnetism?
1. It's got top-hat-and-cloak wearing bouncers on the gates. Because nothing says drama and grandeur more than being greeted by a Gandalf lookalike (without the beard) as you enter.
2. Its 'local' vibe. Nestled in the heart of Marylebone, it rather feels like you're pulling up to a private house mansion for dinner, rather than grappling with the crowds of Soho, or the suits of Mayfair.
3. Two words: André Balazs. The man behind renowned A-list-filled eateries The Mercer in New York, Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and Sunset Beach in Shelter Island plus The Hamptons has built a loyal following. And they sure will/have followed.
4. It used to be a firestation. And basically anyone who is anyone knows that you can't really hang out anywhere these days that hasn't previously been a factory/warehouse/barn/loft/hospital.
5. It's got all the cool 2014 architectural must-haves. Revamped by Paris Studio KO, it boasts all of the below: high ceilings - tick, exposed underbelly of previous building - tick, hanging light fittings - tick, exposed but varnished brickwork - tick.
6. There's a Michelin starred chef at the helm. Nuno Mendes, who was at Viajante to be precise. Plus Dale Osborne (who cooked at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal), and chefs from the Wolseley, Corinthia Hotel, and The Ritz.
7. It houses an open kitchen. All the rage and perfect entertainment/chat fodder for when your conversation dries up or you need to stop celebrity stalking for a second.
7. The bar snacks are superhuman. Cornbread, fried chicken and crab doughnuts. Need we say more.
8. They serve up the best asparagus vegetable starter we've ever tasted. Who'd ever have thought we would be raving about some crunchy greens.
9. The sweet potato mash will make your eyes water with loveliness. It contains Maple Bourbon and is so far from a boring spud it's closer to marshmallow. GO FOR THIS ALONE.
10. The chocolate tart with a scoop of hazelnut ice cream and a hazelnut crumb. Just yes.
11. The service is ridiculous. Described by one restaurant reviewer as "like a drill", the waiters are attentive beyond belief but never over-bearing.
14. You know you'll be seated next to someone cool. On the night we were there we spotted actress Emilia Fox, BGT's Amanda Holden, radio host Richard Bacon and chef Marcus Wareing within minutes.
15. You can't get a table for love nor money. Frustrating for us muggles (who can't get in now until August) but those in the know love to bypass a 'booked up til Christmas' reservations book. Nice boost to the ego.
