Located at the western end of the King’s Road near Fulham sits a bright and bold Victorian building, which is home to The Imperial. The Imperial has a restaurant, bar and garden, serving food with a strong focus on sustainability. The interior is modern and airy with lovely high ceilings on entry and the vibe is friendly, inviting and chilled. The menu offers locally soured British food inspired by international flavours. There’s an open kitchen and my friend and I take a seat that gives a view of the kitchen and a peek into the garden.
Open Kitchen
Seared Fillet of Beef
Pork Belly
My friend chooses well and enjoys a starter of sliced fillet of beef with rocket, cheese, pickled garlic and scurvy grass. I opt for the pork belly with strawberry and mint oil, borage flowers, radishes, Kombu and white cabbage puree. The flavours are great but the pork is dry which lets the dish down.
Market Fish of the Day: Cod
My friend succeeds again with a very good main of the market fish of the day, which is Cod with butter, lemon, mussels, orange, onions, rocket, chicory, spring leaves and cress. My main of John Dory is served on top of a bacon fat broth with wild garlic, caraway seeds, pickled mushrooms, samphire, rice noodles and fresh courgette flower. It is not so successful. Now, I can deal with fatty foods, but there’s a layer of bacon fat that floats on top of the broth, which although nicely flavoured does not make for a great eating experience and is far too greasy and salty. The John Dory itself is perfectly cooked however, if a little overshadowed by the other accompaniments in the dish. We share a side of truffle polenta cubes with parmesan shavings and they are must have. A beautiful crunch with a hint of truffle nicely balanced with the tangy cheese.
Plum and Apple Crumble
Chocolate Mousse
Desserts are also very good. My friend opts for a plum and apple crumble and I chose the chocolate mousse. The mousse is divine, wonderfully rich in taste but light in texture. I finish it in seconds.
Hidden Garden
The Imperial is a relaxed upmarket gastropub, which suffers from style over substance in some of the dishes, but overall the food is nicely prepared and well presented. Prices are reflective of the area with starters from £6.50 mains from £15.50 and sides £3.50.
Food I Fancy dined as a guest.
The Imperial
577 King’s Road
Chelsea
London SW6 2EH
Tel: 020 7736 6081
https://www.imperial-arms.london/
