Having worked their magic on an Empress and a Prince, Tom and Ed Martin, owners of their very own gastro-empire have now embraced supreme royalty by opening a pub on the King’s Road.
The Cadogan Arms, originally built in 1869, is situated midway on the monarch’s London thoroughfare. Once the site of many a Sloane’s first social steps in to adulthood, this noble tavern has been transformed in to a pub of distinction.
Spread across two floors, the 19th century boozer has been restored to its former glory, exposing and enhancing many authentic features such as cream embossed bar tiles, a mosaic floor entrance, an old stock brick fireplace, oak panelling and floorboards. The ground floor pub and dining area exudes ‘refined local’ and features a formidable selection of Victorian taxidermy, from bison to butterflies, otters to antlers, alongside a set of illustrations which embody gentlemen of the period, courtesy of Robert Dighton.
Head upstairs to what was the original Billiards Room. True to form, the space has been rebuilt to better serve its original purpose. Played by kings and commoners, gentlemen and hustlers, the 16th century game, banned in 1757 in alehouses due to its seedy reputation, makes a welcome re-appearance via three eight-ball tables and a plethora of prints and vintage photographs
representing this now commonplace pastime.
As with the design, food also makes a return to what this country does best combined with some contemporary and deft additions. Head chef Darius Endriukaitis, formerly of Guy Ritchie’s The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, has created a menu brimming with fresh seasonal ingredients from some of the UK’s finest suppliers. Dishes to start include pan-fried mackerel fillet with pickled beetroot, red chard and
horseradish dressing; ham hock and foie gras terrine with fig and apple chutney; as well as roast pancetta and garden pea soup. For main course, tuck into braised beef cheek with creamy mashed potatoes, carrots and sautéed girolles; pan fried sea bream, with steamed anya potatoes, sun-blushed cherry tomatoes and lemon dressing; or pub classic, an 8oz Aberdeen Angus beef burger with Applewood smoked cheddar. Desserts include an indulgent chocolate bread and butter pudding complete with organic clotted cream; rich rum and raisin sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream as well as decadent chocolate and pistachio nut brownie with white chocolate
strawberries. Sunday roasts with all the trimmings still reign, a fitting reward after a spot of shopping on King’s Road.
An all-day bar menu is also available for those who want a lighter bite. Enjoy half pint of prawns with fresh lemon and saffron; haddock goujons with tartare sauce or simple home-made spiced root vegetable crisps with minted yoghurt.
Drinkers will delight in a strong international wine list which includes Tom and Ed’s exclusively blended red, white and rosé wines, ETM, Domaine des Fontaine, VDP d’Oc, France 2007, available only in their venues. Leading cask ales, Adnams Braodside and London Pride, premium spirits and a selection of carefully chosen classic cocktails complete the picture.
The Cadogan Arms – a right royal affair.
The Cadogan Arms 298 King’s Road, London, SW3 5UG
T: 020 7352 6500 www.thecadoganarmschelsea.com
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