Chapter One - Bromley

Above: Chapter One

By the time you read this Chapter One will have emerged from an ambitious refurbishment programme during the month of January that, as our pictures show, has updated the decor of this spacious, modern restaurant, altered the entrance and bar and added in a dramatic glass wine cellar.
Both menu and wine list will have been given a similar shake up too, at an establishment that never rests on its richly-deserved laurels.
It might look a bit Tudorbethan from the exterior and it stands right on a prominent roundabout (the famous Fantail) on the outskirts of Bromley, but just check out the Porsches and Mercedes in the car park and you’ll begin to get a measure of the quality that lies inside.

Award winning
I’d last eaten at the award-winning Chapter One about 18 months ago in glorious summer sunshine, so it was good to see it in winter mode and easy to see why so many couples love the place for a romantic Valentine’s meal.
One of the best things here, apart from the food, is the service, and the immaculately uniformed front of house staff carry about them that ease and confidence that goes with knowing just how good their chef and kitchen are.
Chef Andrew McLeish has a Michelin Star as well as four AA rosettes and his awards are well deserved. His top-notch modern European cooking is superb, the presentation excellent and the prices are remarkably low for this quality.
Food this good deserves a great wine list and I urge you to put yourself in the hands of head sommelier Ludovic Perch, who had delighted us so on our first visit with his selections from a strong and well-balanced predominantly French wine list.

I urge you to put yourself in the hands of head sommelier Ludovic Perch

He loves a challenge, so to accompany my deliciously light starter of ravioli of lobster served with the lightest of cauliflower purées and lobster cognac sauce, I found myself drinking a light and floral Beaujolais Rose – a perfect complement.
Across the table we both admired how artistically and deftly The Other Half’s wonderfully vivid butternut pumpkin soup was splashed over tiny pieces of spinach tortellini in a deep white plate – and it tasted every bit as delicious as it was pretty.
A tiny portion of wild mushroom risotto apiece preceded our main courses, with a glass of Australian Syrah made from sun-dried grapes bringing out the intense, earthy flavours of the dish.

Texture and taste
There was only one choice for me when it came to my main: it had to be the pan-fried black bream, one of the best I’ve ever tasted, accompanied by caramelised turnip purée, roast Jerusalem artichokes and baby leeks. An incredible combination of textures and tastes cut through by a full-bodied Chablis.
Meanwhile, slow-roasted belly of pork with the nice addition of Savoy cabbage and caramelised apple purée suited the season admirably and was much enjoyed.
Do make sure you leave room for dessert – they are a real highlight here and taste every bit as glorious as they look. We shared a tasting selection that included gooey chocolate pudding, lemon tart with raspberry sorbet and a yummy peanut butter parfait.
You will leave feeling well-fed, well cared-for and well loved-up, I guarantee it.

Words by Sarah Sturt pictures by Rob Turner