In From The Cold

It was the weekend before Christmas and as I woke up on Saturday morning, I was determined to hit the shops before the crowds arrived onto King’s Road.

What I hadn’t bargained for was a snow storm occurring within the heart of Chelsea. So as I struggled against the freezing elements instead of a panicked shopping crowd, my attempt to reach the end of the King’s Road seemed like a Sisyphean endeavour.

Stepping into Peter Jones and looking like a yeti that had to be patted down, it was awe inspiring to see all the shoppers looking thawed and calmly focused on their Christmas business. And it was a great feeling to be in from the cold.

A couple of purchases later, I decided to give up on dealing with the harsh weather outside and headed to Chelsea Library to do some work instead.


Walking into the building, I recognised the face of man standing against a radiator to keep warm. I was used to seeing him along King’s Road carrying his home in his bags and for years I had wondered what his story was. Now I was looking him in the eyes and could only see the surprising softness of a cold man.

Inside the library, there were a few more people who looked like they were reading to keep warm. So when the library announced that it was closing at 3pm instead of 5pm because of the extreme weather, I wondered where they would all go. Later, I discovered that the Chelsea Methodist Church on King’s Road was a drop in centre for the homeless but it wasn’t open during the weekends. So I can only hope that there was somewhere else for the man standing by the radiator to go.

As for the rest of my Christmas shopping list, I will deal with that tomorrow. That's one of the perks of living off the King’s Road.

Merry Christmas everyone!


Mina Zaher


Follow her @kingsroadrocks
Website: kingsroadrocks.com

Food For Thought

Over the last week I've made it to three Christmas parties and my favourite was Bluebird’s Winter Palace party, which took place in a marquee on the Bluebird forecourt. The venue was a cocoon of whiteness and lights whilst the Belvedere vodka cocktails and delicious canapés were being served. Great fun!

Yet as the Christmas party season sweeps me along, I've also started to reflect back on the year as it draws to a close. My latest thought bubble was inspired by a recent online discussion about the correlation between the affluence of Chelsea and the number good restaurants available, or lack of.

Bluebird's Winter Palace - open all month

There were a few amusing opinions expressed, such as the local residents’ penchant for school dinners rather than so-called serious food along with the suggestion that Chelsea’s apparent ladies-who-lunch should be able to prop up the local businesses with their fine dining. And whilst my initial response was reactionary (just as any Londoner would jump to the defence of their home turf), I did wonder later on why other factors such as the landlords’ rates weren’t entertained.

Chelsea has lost many of its local gems because of that simple factor called rent increase, which must give stalwarts such as Chelsea Bun and La Famiglia something to celebrate; perhaps business developers aren’t bidding for their spots just yet.

It’s also worth remembering that Chelsea isn’t just a place for the rich. There is an abundance of social housing within the area and so local restaurants such as Chelsea Kitchen make eating out accessible to all.

As for the overpriced menus that don’t deliver, it’s just a matter of time. These places simply don’t survive because the locals won't support them; the classic example being Earl Cadagon's apparent decision to close down Oriel because he didn't enjoy his meal and found it too pricey.

Still, there is one thing to look forward to next year: Picasso’s return. The locals will be getting one of King’s Road’s institutions back and I for one can’t wait.


Mina Zaher

Follow her @kingsroadrocks
Website: kingsroadrocks.com

Art and a Winter Garden Party

Snow turned Chelsea into a veritable winter wonderland last week; perfectly timed for The Phene’s Winter Garden Party.

Admittedly as I ran on the treadmill at The Chelsea Sport’s Centre and looked out of the window to see the harsh weather, I struggled to imagine heading down the road for an outdoor party.

But I persevered and a couple of hours later, I was inside a toasty pub sipping on Belvedere cocktails and the odd hot toddy.

Eventually, it was time to venture outdoors and what a delight it was. The comfy seats, which were reminiscent of an outdoor Sydney lounging vibe, were covered by stylish white canopies. Meanwhile, the outdoor heaters and a couple of burning fires kept everyone warm despite my eco conscience, which did struggle slightly. The first floor Lounge was my other favourite area. With a Christmas tree in the corner and three sofas positioned in front of a roaring fire, this was a gorgeous room to hang out in.

A couple of nights later and with the snow now settled, I visited 102 Sydney Street to discover one of the most exciting events in Chelsea. Neal’s Yard Galleries had turned a disused office block into a three floor art gallery.

This exhibition contained a huge range of works, which made every floor a genuine surprise. Take India Amos' fine art collection: her still life on linen brought texture to the simplicity of her colours and subjects. There was also the suggestive works of George Morgan whose pieces evoked a romantic and sometimes fantasy world. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Rupert Burt’s abstract works were inspired by molecular science.

Given what I have said in the past, it was so exciting to see art bring an industrial space to life in Chelsea; so much so that I might have to pop in again before it all comes down next month.

Mina Zaher

Follow her @kingsroadrocks
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