Texas on Thames

I pass by the Bluebird Cafe on the King’s Road frequently. Often I have stopped to look at the menu, lingered and then walked by. It’s so hard to pass it by with that beautiful courtyard in the budding spring, but I just can’t reconcile it’s price-point on diner food. Erm, I mean, it’s just so Chelsea.

Perhaps it was my recent trip to the Design Museum and my new respect for Terence Conran and his projects, but more likely it was spotting the 2 courses for £10, 3 for £15 sign after a sweaty carb-killing workout that made me finally stop and get a table.

The atmosphere is quite fun with funky chandeliers, hodge-podge chairs and sleek lines. The building itself is an art deco former garage complex built for the Bluebird Motor Company in 1923 that sets the scene perfectly. Despite this, you can’t help but get the feeling that being in a diner to the target clientele here is a novelty.

Funky chandeliers and sleek lines

As a lone diner, I invoked the advice of the server on what to order. She advised that the pumpkin soup was spicy and that the prawn cocktail was popular. She also added that the coley goujons were highly recommended and mumbled when I asked about the spinach gnocchi.

Well, alright then. Lets split the difference. I’ll have the pumpkin soup and the coley goujons. Shit. Did I just order fish and chips? This is not helping me at all towards my goals of a.) losing weight and b.) eating more vegan.

The soup came and the waitress was dead wrong. That pumpkin soup was not spicy. It was actually quite bland save for the pumpkin seeds on top that added an important contrasting texture. The focaccia bread was fresh and soaked up the warm liquid nicely.

Not very spicy pumpkin soup

As for the goujons, they were delicious. I know it’s really hard to go wrong with fried food, but the batter was crisp and light on the tongue if heavy on the stomach. It was a true warm plate of comfort food.

Coley goujons.

There’s something to be said about this style of dining. There is usually some innovation to the dishes and like the decor, the lines of the food are sleek and neat. You are getting something calculated and well presented. But if you want something greasy spoon authentic, this is not it. For a true King’s Road diner with appropriate prices and ennui-ridden waitresses, head to the Stock Pot a few blocks down the road. It’s the kind of place where you can get a decent lunch at 10 am and no one bats an eye. I truly love the Stock Pot for that alone. Plus, a plate of chips there is equally delicious and costs £1.50 compared to the Bluebird’s £4. But if you are treating your girlfriend’s West London mother, new South Kensington business prospect, or random posh friend to a “casual” brunch, this is probably a good bet and chances are you’ll like the food too. Just don’t forget to slyly ask for the 2 for £10 menu, and trust me, you have to ask. Most of the menus conveniently have the insert missing.

The Bluebird Cafe is located at 350 King’s Road near Beaufort Street and is open Mon-Fri 12-2:30, 6-10:30; Saturday 12-3:30, 6-10:30 and Sunday 12-3:30 and 6-9:30.

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