The Market Place at the Chelsea Farmers Market is perfect for a leisurely lunch on a sunny day, albeit at a price.

The Venue
Located just inside of the Chelsea Farmers Market, Market Place are clearly big risk-takers – the tables are all outside, and although most of them are covered with enormous green umbrellas to shield diners from the elements, this is clearly only a place to go when the sun is shining. The white-painted wooden tables are well spaced, and although they only seat four the staff are happy to bring around extra chairs to put on the ends. A host of flowers, plants and trees borders the restaurant, making you feel like you’re in a country beer garden as opposed to the middle of London.

The Atmosphere
As you might expect from Chelsea, the clientele here is very, well… Chelsea. Lunch brings a predominance of women, from yummy mummies to ladies who lunch to Sex and the City-style foursomes. However, amidst all the pearls you’ll see a smattering of pinstripes as banker types sit down for a meal. There’s a place for everyone though, from trendily-dressed babies to immaculately groomed dogs. Service is casual but gracious, although they seem a bit short-staffed and you start to feel sorry for them for having to dash between the tables in the blazing hot sun. When the weather’s nice the turnaround is fast but you won’t feel rushed, despite the ever-present queue for a table.

The Food
Very fresh and very filling but very expensive, even in an area where most would barely raise an eyebrow for an £8.50 sandwich. There’s a predominance of salads on the menu, either in starter or main form, plus a few pastas, a steak for £17.95 and the aforementioned £8.50 sandwiches. Sides are an extra couple of pounds and there’s an automatic 12.5% service charge that’s added to your bill. There’s also a few specials of soup, a couple of mains and a dessert, all which change daily.

Bruschetta (£5.75) is served on two thick slices of crisp bread and topped with a mixture of tomatoes and onions and a dollop of pesto. The tomatoes and onions are mixed together quite thoroughly, so it’s more like a salsa than a scattered topping, but it’s fresh and tasty without being too oily. The chicken Caesar salad is very large and full of pieces of juicy chicken, tart anchovies, Parmesan shavings and croutons, but it doesn’t quite justify its £11.95 price tag.

The Drink
Although the menu is on the expensive side the wine list isn’t, with bottles from around the world topping at about £32, and many are available by the glass (250ml and 175ml). If you’re in a summery mood, there are pitchers of Pimms and sangria on offer, as well as strawberry and banana smoothies and milkshakes, plus fresh juices. A cup of coffee and a cappuccino will run you £2.50.

The Last Word
The Market Place is a lovely stop for a summer lunch on a sunny day, but the menu’s prices might keep a lot of people from discovering its charms.

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