London's The Cadogan Arms is set to reopen on 21 July, with the much-loved Chelsea institution restored to its former glory with an ambitious renovation that pays homage to the public house’s two centuries spent serving the local community.
Open for lunch, dinner and bar snacks, The Cadogan Arms comprises a bustling ground floor bar, an opulent dining room, and downstairs space, The Rose Room.
Dominic Jacobs, Managing Director, (pictured right), said, “Visiting your local pub shouldn’t be a compromise. Our food alone is worth the trip to Chelsea, the cocktails are as good as those you’d find in a cocktail bar, and our beers and wines have been thoughtfully selected.”
The restoration of The Cadogan Arms seeks to recreate the lost early Georgian architectural details and ornate timber panelling of the original building. Expert craftsmen have been consulted throughout the project, including in the fabrication of the stained-glass back bar, wrought iron staircase, mosaic flooring, and hand-carved bar.
In the bar space, warm velvets and floral-patterned fabrics surround the Yorkshire sandstone fireplaces and in the cosy and elegant dining room, walls are adorned with a selection of art and photography celebrating the rich creative history of the King’s Road.
Downstairs houses The Rose Room, a second bar named for the pub that came before, The Rose and Crown. A horseshoe bar will be the focal point of the room, backed by a custom-designed stained-glass wall, opposite which are two large meat ageing fridges. Four ‘hidden art’ screens with state-of-the-art AV systems will stream relevant sporting fixtures and live events.
Formerly of The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms, Executive Chef Alex Harper (pictured centre) will work alongside Culinary Director James Knappett (pictured left) of two Michelin-star Kitchen Table in Fitzrovia, drawing inspiration from his first-hand experience of growing up in pubs.
Bar snacks such as Boneless Crispy Lamb Ribs with Anchovy and Sorrel Yoghurt will be served in the bar area from 12 pm until 10 pm alongside ‘pub classics’.
In the dining room, the focus is on simply prepared British produce, celebrating the provenance of carefully sourced fish, meat and fresh vegetables. Hero dishes include the Brown Crab Quiche, Horseradish Cre`me, Lemon and Herb Salad, and the Black Garlic Chicken Kiev with Shaved Fennel Salad. Indulgent desserts include the Strawberry Sherry Trifle, and Cambridge Burnt Cream.
Sunday Roasts, designed for sharing, include a Roast Longhorn Sirloin with Bone Marrow Sauce, Horseradish Cre`me, Beef Fat Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Puddings, and Sutton Hoo Roast Chicken, Bread Sauce, Gravy, Beef Fat Roast Potatoes.
The cocktails at The Cadogan Arms are categorised by six styles – Aperitifs, Swizzles, Spritzes, Highballs, Digestifs and ‘Cocktail Chasers’ – a selection of ice-cold minis including a ‘Tiny French 75’ poured directly from the freezer and paired with one of the thirteen beers on tap.
Signature drinks include the Nitro Espresso Martini (Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Milk Powder), which is served on draught, the Blackcurrant Negroni (Gin, Blackcurrant Leaf, Vermouth, Campari), and a Dirty Martini (Vodka, French Vermouth, Amalfi Lemon Oil, Olive Oil, supplement Exmoor Caviar.)
A carefully curated wine list of over one hundred bottles features classics as well as exciting lesser-known alternatives, and an extensive reserve selection houses mature and rare fine wines. Natural and biodynamic wines will also be available, alongside a tapped wine system created in collaboration with Uncharted Wines.
A comprehensive beer list includes established breweries alongside experiential and craft ranges from leaders in British brewing, including Cornwall’s Harbour Brewing who have created a bespoke British Pilsner, made using Cornish water and Cornish grain, to be served from a hand-made, specially commissioned traditional Pilsen tap.
Known as The Rose and Crown since the 1700s, The Cadogan Arms has been serving the local community since 1838, making it one of Chelsea’s most enduring public houses.
The new Cadogan Arms crest has been hand- painted by London artist Jo Bird, incorporating aspects of the Cadogan family’s traditional insignia with the addition of fresh produce and seasonal ingredients, nodding to the history and heritage of the building as well as the team’s vision for its future.