Matthew Jones is the man behind Bread Ahead, one of London's best known bakery groups. He now has six bakeries across London and his own bakery school, where he shares his love of baking with others. As a resident of the royal borough of Chelsea he's agreed to share his favourite food spots in the area.
Elystan Street
43 Elystan St, London SW3 3NT
Chef Phil Howard’s Elystan Street is a refined yet relaxed modern dining room serving impeccably crafted seasonal food. Phil’s food is always elegant but never fussy – it’s flavour-first cooking that I never tire of. An ideal spot for a proper grown-up lunch or dinner.
Andreas of Chelsea Green
6-8 Cale Street, London SW3 3QU
A long-standing independent greengrocer known for its pristine produce and loyal local following. Andreas is where I shop for the best of the season – you’ll find everything from exotic fruits to a fantastic array of beautiful seasonal vegetables. It’s also where chefs quietly go to source those elusive, top-quality ingredients – from vibrant herbs to delicate edible flowers that make all the difference on the plate. A proper gem.
London Cheesemongers
251 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP
A beautifully curated cheese shop on Pavilion Road, specialising in raw milk cheeses aged in-house. I’ve always had a soft spot for the oozy, properly pongy cheeses – Livarot, Soumaintrain, a well-aged Laguiole. London Cheesemongers always seem to have just what I’m craving. The team really know their stuff, and their maturing room takes things to another level.
Polpo Chelsea
81 Duke of York Square, London SW3 4LY
Venetian-inspired small plates and spritzes in a casual, buzzy setting. Polpo’s great for a quick bite with the family or catching up with friends. It’s casual but well done – I always enjoy the cicchetti and the atmosphere.
