Oriel (closed) (Bar/Restaurant)
50 Sloane Square, Chelsea, London, SW1W 8AX (Map)
Cuisine: International
Tel: Not on file
Transport: Sloane Square
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Oriel (closed) London Review
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Oriel is the grande dame of Sloane Square. She sits straight-backed and polite, ready to hold court to shoppers, poseurs, trendies and eccentrics alike. From Peter Jones you can glimpse her through the trees across the square. A right turn out of the tube station, past the Royal Court theatre and there she is waiting for you. Or more likely, as you push open the long doors to be met by a respectful greeter and seater, you will have to wait for Oriel to make space for you, for this place is usually packed out with people and their Chelsea purchases.
There’s an upstairs and a downstairs. Downstairs, designed by Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen, is more of a youth hideout. It’s darker and smokier than the high-ceilinged Viennese Grand Café style ground floor space which caters for people who wish to eat and has a certain amount of tables (depending on the time of day) for those simply after liquid sustenance. It can, at times, be quite challenging weaving your way in and out between the tables, coats and packages. And silent battle tactics, I am told, are a useful skill when it comes to the spotting and more importantly, securing, of an about-to-be-vacated table.
When I went we were immediately directed downstairs by one of the smartly, waist-coated waiters (although you only seem to get waited on if you are eating, otherwise it’s a trip to the long central bar, which seemed to be a good place to perch yourself with a book if you’d come on your own). However, my companion’s well serviced table-vacating antennae were working and with the aid of the thin, elegant wall mirrors she spotted a gentleman in a startlingly long, shaggy overcoat (an actor from next door perhaps?) about to depart. Happily seated, although a little too near the door to keep warm and not, unfortunately, in the window, we opted for Belgian Leffe Blonde beer although wine or hot drinks were also available.
Oriels features in our Best Bars & Pubs in Chelsea & Fulham.
Josephine Woolley (19 01 2004)
Customer Reviews for Oriel (closed)
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Oriel (closed).
“Oriels is a truly great place for any occasion. The food is consisitently good and does what is says on the menu. It is not overpriced, the wine list is very accesible and the servce is always efficient and friendly. Living locally I am a regualr for weekend breakfasts, lunch with my mother or clients and supper with my boyfriend. I have taken a number of different people to Oriels with different backgrounds - including chefs - and they have all loved it.”
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Rachel Bates, London (4 years 1 months 25 days ago)
“Oriels is always a great place to meet friends after work and tends to have rather a Sloaney crowd (surprisingly!). The drinks aren't cheap but the grand (but not imposing) interior makes up for it. The food comes in large portions and is very good. There is a small restaurant area but you can eat at any of the tables. It's great in the summer to sit outsite over-looking Sloane Square and just people-watch over a glass of wine.”
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Celia, [ Unknown ] (6 years 3 months 25 days ago)
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