Shhh … don’t tell anybody about Chucs Restaurant & Cafe inside Harrods. It’s just the sort of calm oasis I’d like to keep all for myself.
I have a confession to make. Harrods fascinates the hell out of me. It’s a gawking kind of fascination for the most part; the scale of the place and scope of its offer, the people watching, the opulence (spanning the very real and the extremely faux) overwhelm and beguile me. I also get a little giddy when combing Harrods’ food halls where I don’t gawk so much as I ogle and dream – and usually end up buying something yummy to nibble.
So when the invitation came my way to visit the Harrods branch of Chucs Restaurant & Cafe and sample its January Detox Menu, I was eager for the chance to explore another nook of the giant luxury labyrinth and have something new to eat there.
Chucs (the eatery) is the sister concept of Chucs (the swimwear and men’s fashion label). I had been before to the Dover Street flagship of Chucs and found it to be a quite cosy spot and the food and drink to be good quality. The idea of visiting another Chucs and having a look at how the concept sat inside Harrods appealed to me.
Designed in association with KX Private Members Health Club, the January Detox Menu was a quick read: three juices, three starters and two mains. Based on my graze, I’d say the highlights are the starters. Quinoa tabbouleh salad (£11) and seared tuna and Nicoise chopped salad (quail eggs, chopped green beans, salad, asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes and olives, £14) were particularly tasty, clean and ample. Although listed as starter courses, I’d say most folks apt to dine at Chucs would consider each big enough on its own as a main course.
A Green B juice (cucumber, spinach, watercress, celery, grapes, apple and Progreens powder, £5.50) was delicious and restorative as well.
Veering from the detox selections, an endnote of tiramisu (£9.50) with a perfectly pulled espresso was divine.
Compared to so much of the rest of the hubbub at Harrods, Chucs was quiet and subdued during my late lunch visit. I loved being there and felt as though I had discovered a new secret hideout (not just from all the shopping upstairs but from the world at large). With its wood paneling, marble tops, deep blue leather upholstery, and plush booth and armchair seating, the 55-cover Chucs at Harrods won me over as a smart stop for a central London pause and for casual catch ups requiring a lux but laidback setting.
Next time I aim to dive into the regular menu with gusto and to have a go at the impressive and Italy centred wine list.
Service was extraordinarily prompt and courteous during my visit.
Chucs Harrods is located on the Lower Ground Floor of Harrods (near Door 11 and The Fine Watch Hall), Hans Road, SW1X 7XL. The Chucs flagship is on Dover Street. There are locations in Westbourne Grove and Serpentine Sackler Gallery in Hyde Park as well as an outlet in Saint-Tropez. Find out more at chucsrestaurants.com.
