VIBE

Swank version of a rustic brasserie. The welcoming decor hits all the right notes by matching simple, white-painted brick walls and unadorned wood furnishings with glistening glassware and heavy silver. With food as the focus, the seasonal British brasserie fare is delightfully prepared and perfectly presented, though the well-to-do Chelsea crowd at times also turns their attention to low-key, see-and-be-sceneing. Noise levels are gratifyingly low (except when the rowdy under-12 set pop in with their parents on the weekends) and the service professional yet friendly. When the downstairs brasserie gets busy, try the atmospheric upstairs bar, with its Francophile marble-topped tables and leather banquettes.

CROWD

Affluent Chelsea over-30 set (including a handful of families with kids on the weekends)

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

A favorite smart casual outfit–something you feel comfortable in. We’d wear a skirt or sharp pants, a cute top, and boots.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; family; a date; another couple (good spot for a double date); kids; colleagues

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s relaxed and comfortable while still smart–great for a ladies’ lunch or meal with a few friends. Something we especially like: the lights are cheerfully bright and the noise levels reasonable, so you can actually see your food and hear your friends. And perhaps most importantly, we dig the upscale comfort food menu–yum.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The service needs to pick up the pace a bit. It was a bit slow for us at the end of the evening.

GOOD TO KNOW

Though you generally need reservations, the upper-floor bar allows walk-ins, so it’s worth trying your luck if you can’t score a brasserie table in advance.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Tom Aikens

CLOSEST COMPS

The Thomas Cubitt (London); St. John Bar and Restaurant (London); Blue Ribbon Bakery (New York)

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