Home cooking at its very best

It was 3.30pm and I had had nothing to eat all day. Having just finished a meeting in Bond Street I wondered who in this area would offer lunch.
There are many posh restaurants around that close at 3pm or several coffee bars with their stereotype range of produce.
I yearned for a proper lunch and a glass of wine.
I remembered a small restaurant tucked in the Bond Street end of Grosvenor Street, opposite Avery Road which is closed to traffic.
On this hot afternoon the ground floor doors of the Chalet Restaurant were opened which provided a delightful al fresco atmosphere.
The small exhibition bar on the back of the ground floor is permanently busy producing attractive cappuccinos, espressos, hot chocolates and dispensing wines and spirits.
The Chalet Restaurant also has a Mezzanine that sits 28 and further down another small area for 22.
A warm welcome awaited me.
I was presented with a small menu with specialities ranging from a variety of sandwiches, fried eggs, omelettes, meat and fish dishes as well as desserts. All home made.
So instead of the light lunch I had planned to have I settled for the Veal escalope Holstein (£10.50) which was too tempting to pass.
A flat thin breaded escalope with a fried egg on top and anchovies.
I was given a choice of vegetables or salad. I ordered broccoli and peas. Home cooking at its best. The house white wine (£3) was dry and properly chilled. (The bottle costs £13.50).
Nothing prepares you for Lulu’s hospitality who offered me two newspapers when I asked for one and reiterated that I could have whatever I wished on the menu – no restrictions.
I was delighted to discover this charming restaurant which is flexible in their selection at different times of the day.
Lulu has had this family business for 40 years. Eva comes from Poland and has been working here for 28 years and feels that she is part of the family.
Regulars have also discovered that they can avail themselves of their excellent takeaway service.
When I was paying the bill everybody was busy behind the coffee machine fulfilling an order from a nearby office for over 30 assorted hot drinks at the excellent price of £1 for a take away capuccino! Also on offer: a large variety of sandwiches ranging from £2-4 depending on the filling and type of bread and delicious cheese cakes, custards and reception cakes from £2 a portion.
A visit to the Chalet Restaurant is worth just to meet the charming Lulu and her friendly staff.

Chalet Restaurant
81 Grosvenor Street W1
020 7629 1082