Dining in SW3 is not all about trumped-up, fancypants restaurants. PJs Bar and Grill offers folk a good, yet far more reasonable Chelsea dining experience.

The Venue
PJs Bar and Grill has been a Chelsea favourite for the past twenty years. Behind the dark red awning and polished wood frontage is a stylish bar and grill dedicated to polo (PJs standing for ‘polo Joe’s’). Inside is a blaze of polished wood, brass fittings and pale cream walls which are heavily adorned with monochrome images and memorabilia of this elite sport. As you walk in you are greeted by the huge polished engine of Vickers Vimy, a famed WWI bomber of who’s highly prized wooden propeller also doubles as a ceiling fan. The dining area is spread over two floors with the mezzanine floor overlooking a central atrium and the bar. Downstairs the dining room is crammed with tables all bedecked in the traditional white linen-sparkling glassware combo. Corner window tables are blessed with French windows which open on to the street and are lovely during the warm summer months.

The Atmosphere
PJs is seemingly dominated by the cashmere-clad Chelsea set and on this unassuming Tuesday night is filled to the rafters and lively with chatter and friendly banter. While the bar is the domain of well-heeled locals in for a mojito and bowl of Mediterranean olives, the dining room is filled with canoodling couples, trios of businessmen and the odd table of youngsters in to line their stomachs before heading to nearby Boujis. While the service is fast and slick, the staff are charming and attentive with more than a wink of personality.

The Food
PJs has the sort of menu where you could happily order every dish and not be disappointed. Whilst not extensive it has plenty for every taste and each week the chef includes a couple of in-season specials. Starters include fresh poached Cromer crab (£9.95) served in all its glory with a zesty pot of lemon and basil mayonnaise and a tool kit. Diners are pre-warned that the crab does not come dressed, however despite the hard work its fresh light taste is a perfect summer starter. The Scotch beef carpaccio (£10.95) is as equally delicious and far less work. A platter of wafer-thin beef fillet is drizzled with a garlicky mayonnaise and served with wild rocket and shards of salty parmesan.

For the main, the weekly special of roast line-caught cod with broad beans, prosciutto and crushed new potatoes (£14.95) is absolutely delicious despite the apparent lack of promised prosciutto. The ever-popular linguine with scallops, crab and tiger prawns (£16.95) is a colourful combination of shellfish, spinach and cherry tomatoes. The surprise ingredient of fresh red chilli adds a warm zing and brings the whole dish delightfully together. The grill menu offers a decent selection of steaks starting from £14.95 for a 6oz minute steak to £39 for a chateaubriand for two. For those after a quality bite try the prime wagyu beef burger (£18.95) which comes with hand-cut chips and a jalapeno coleslaw.

Desserts are a comforting affair ranging from an exceedingly generous warm apple and berry crumble topped with cinnamon ice cream (£5.95) to a slice of fresh, home-baked cheesecake served with fresh English strawberries and drizzled with warm white chocolate (£5.95). The wildly extravagant gooseberry and elderflower Knickerbocker Glory with honeycomb crunch and vanilla ice cream (£5.95) must also be mentioned.

The Drink
From a lively array of vintage cocktails including a Carol Channing and Negroni (from £7.50) at the bar, to a good selection of well-rounded vinos, PJs seems to have cracked the drinks menu with a happy medium. The house wine is good value (especially considering the postcode) and the white is a crisp dry Grenache-sauvignon from France (£4.25/£15.95) whilst the red is a nice Spanish Rioja (£4.25/£15.95). Other wines of note include an Italian Pinot Grigio at £20.95 and a good Petit Chablis at £25.95. You might need to pay a little more for a decent red, however beauties include a fine d’Arenberg shiraz at £55. Champagne is reasonable considering the area with the house Perrier Jouet coming in at a smidge under £40.

The Last Word
Thanks to its good food, reasonable prices and lively atmosphere, PJs Bar and Grill will no doubt be a popular mainstay of the Chelsea set for the next twenty years. For a guaranteed good night out it is highly recommended.

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