Arrived in good time for our reservation but the car park (allegedly 96 spaces) was absolutely full - not entirely sure how, considering how few tables the restaurant itself holds. Strike one. We were seated more-or-less immediately and the polite hostess took our coats but then we had to wait quite a few minutes before the waiter arrived to take our drinks order. Waiting to be served became the main theme of the evening. The restaurant looks very cosy from outside but inside, the decoration is rather uninspiring and the space generally uninteresting. Some of the features bordered on gaudy. The menu was perhaps a little too sophisticated for my tastes and I was disappointed with the juxtaposition of flavours in my starter. In my opinion, there were far too many choices of starter each of which possessed long, pretentious descriptions (although the waiter was helpful in deciphering these). My wife's starter was also a case of style over substance. It looked like it was trying to be nouveau cuisine except done by a sixth-former. I chose the steak for main course and, after a long wait, it arrived, on its own, on an otherwise empty plate, with not so much as a drizzle of jus or a sprig of parsley on it. The chips and béarnaise sauce (served cold) were included and came on the side but this was a real failure of presentation. The flame-grilled steak, however, was absolutely delicious, as it should be. Getting the waiter's attention was a chore. He appeared to deliberately avert his gaze as he passed our table. In the end I was forced to call out rudely. The restaurant might have sold us two or three additional rounds of drinks were they more attentive and obliging. The deserts were okay, but I've had better at Paul's Bakery, and my wife's chocolate mousse was a little mealy. I might have enjoyed them more were I not already rankled by the poor service. The bill was expensive but that wasn't wholly unexpected. The waiter didn't bother to ask whether or not we wanted to pay the "optional" service charge and simply typed the full total into the card machine. All in all, a very disappointing experience made worse by the inattentive waiter. We were there for a full two hours without even having coffee. read more

I visit Chapter one restaurant at least once a year with my family and they love this place. This also happens to be my parents favourite place when they are entertaining guests. The menu for this place is pretty modern european, and it really does live up to it's fancy schmancyness with some dishes serving FOAM. (Don't get me started on that, I dislike foam alot.) But the food is seasonal and the menu's change quite often which means that every time i go back, i can always try something new and I love trying new dishes! However, I do have to say that the last time i went, I sampled the pork chop which seemed to be on the fatty and the oily side which is a shame. The best dish I've had from them was from a previous time where they served the most amazing beef with pakchoy. Desserts are wonderful. I highly recommend paying the supplement and ordering the 'assiete of desserts' which is literally a plate of every single dessert they have in their restaurant in bite sized portions. They also provide petit fours and chocolate for afters which they will wrap up for you to take home if unfinished. Back onto the menu, a word of warning, if you're the type who cannot abide to see deers and rabbits being eaten, it's not the best place to be. The service is attentive and I've never left feeling unsatisfied with the customer service (minus the part when i ordered a salad with the foam sauce, but that was my fault for ordering...) I highly recommend this to those who enjoy fine dining and pretty looking plates and trying new flavours. read more

Michelin-starred restaurant Chapter One rivals the top restaurants in London with exquisite service, and some of the most flavoursome food out there. Situated in Kent, just outside of London, in a stunning Victorian building, with delightful neutral decor Chapter One is more than suitable for both lunch and dinner, and I headed over there to try out the lunch menu. Quality is the most important thing to head chef, Andrew McLeish, who has been at the helm of this adventure for over twelve years now, and he sources a large percentage of the food served at the restaurant locally. The fish used is caught by day boats only, which having for my main course, I can state is delicious, and he also shoots deer for the venison at Chapter One, but don't worry, there's always a very strict season which determines when you can shoot, what breed and what sex. The choice of food is outstanding, and the pricing is even better with a selection from the al a carte or a smaller locally sourced Kent based menu. The wine list would rival many, but the Sommelier is always on hand to point you in the right direction if you find yourself, much like I did, a little bewildered by the difference between Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs. The cheese selection available for desert is so extensive I could well been choosing from my local specialist cheese display in a fine end supermarket. The desert menu pleases your palette greatly, and the desert wine even more so. I certainly didn't want my Banana Delice with Caramelised White Chocolate to ever come to an end, despite the fact I was more than bursting at the seams! Chapter One offers some of the greatest locally sourced food around, and every attention to detail certainly does not go amiss when the flavour of the food hit your taste buds. It'll have you wanting more time and time again. read more

Hideously expensive and awful experience. I went for an early dinner at Chapter One over Christmas. I had heard years ago that this was a great place but those days are clearly long gone. My fish was overcooked, I was constantly bumped by staff rushing to get by and the decor and atmosphere was generally ok for a regional Kent restaurant but certainly nothing special. 3.5 very average courses (non-paired wine) later with a few small glasses of wine we were then met with a £400 bill for two. The scarlet pimpernel would have been embarrassed at such overt daytime robbery. Having eaten at some of the finest Michelin restaurants in London for a smaller bill where a meal is a truly remarkable experience in amazing surroundings, I felt quite upset and insulted to pay this much in Orpington for a quality I could find and exceed around the corner in Kent at an upmarket gastropub. Avoid at all costs, I couldn't even call this place pretentious - it's a shadow of any former reputation it once has. A ridiculously expensive and chastening experience that I shall thankfully never repeat. read more

I'm pleased (but surprised) to be able to review this little Gem down in South London (near Bromley). I'm surprised because this restaurant has a Michelin Star, four AA Rosettes and in 2004 was voted by the AA Restaurant of the Year. The good external reviews have continued during 2008 Anyway, that's the introduction out of the way. But I also want to get across something critical straight away The price! It's great value, three course dinner is a set price of £29.95 with a few small supplements for certain dishes. Compared to Central London only perhaps Arbutus is the same price level. So, we've got great prices and a food pedigree. But what is it actually like? Myself and my other half visited on a Friday with a table sitting around 9pm. The restaurant is easy to find (but you need a car or a taxi from Bromley Station or the area). There is plenty of parking and the photographs on the website are representative of both the exterior and the interior. It's very beautiful and well decorated inside with the right level of detail and lovely music. Outside the building would make a great reception venue. There is a bar (seperate area) to the right of the entrance while the main dining area is to the left. I believe there is a private dining area for up to around 50 people. We were seated quickly on a nice table. The place was busy with everyone dressed up (Friday night?). Our waiter was very attentive and brought the wine and food menu quickly. The wine list is extensive but I already knew I wanted the Sancerre so didn't need any help. The menu is great. Just the right selection of different dishes. We had between us: Roast Scottish Langoustine, Crushed Ratte Potatoes With Claw Meat, Langoustine Foam & Parmesan Tuille. Salad of Wood Pigeon, Pata Negra, Apples, Celeriac & Walnut Dressing followed by; Braised Oxtail With Pancetta, Sauteed Spinach, Parsnip Puree & Oxtail Jus Slow Roast Belly of Packington Pork With Chouz Croute, Baby Leeks, Caramelised Onions, Apple & Pork Jus and then some of the desserts :) Great food, everything was just right. Service was quick and we had no complaints about anything. I would say that the prawns were a tad presentation vs taste but everything else was both presented well and tasted great, so I'll forgive that :) The only other point was that we had registered as a friend of the restaurant (on their website). An unexpected voucher for a glass of champers was given to us via e-mail but it wasn't accepted in the restaurant. Since the voucher didn't state that it was restricted on Friday that started things a little on the wrong foot T&C of promotions must be stated guys :/ Anyway, 5 star for value and food. I was at GR at Claridge's recently and it's a toss up between these two :) The cheaper price and more modern decor won me over though, I'll be back to Chapter One before Gordon :) read more

If you make the most of the regular set menu deals, this doesn't work out that expensive. I visited for Sunday Lunch (3 courses for £19.95 + service), which I thought was priced fairly, if far from cheap, and the food was extremely good and pretty much what I'd expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. Will definitely come back again. Also worth taking a look here to see a couple of menus: http://www.chaptersrestaurants.com/section.php/6/1/chapter_one_menus read more

We heard about this restaurant years ago and we finally got around to dining here last night. We all decided to go for the tasting menu with the wine pairing. It's an extra £22 for the wine pairing and it's really not worth it. The only wine that was worth it was the dessert wine which was not what we were meant to be having. The food itself was very tasty with the stand outs being the treacle treated salmon & the pork with black pudding. The service was a bit clumsy, with wines being poured from two almost empty bottles, stretching across a diner while serving another. But they were attentive. I mean I don't want to stop you from going but it's not the best Michelin starred restaurant I've eaten at nor the cheapest. read more

Went here while visiting family who just moved to the area. The restaurant has a great setting. It looks like an old inn or pub on the outside, but on the inside is a contemporary and stylish setting that looks like it could equally be in Mayfair or Manhattan. The menu has a wide selection of dishes. They use quality local ingredients and are well prepared. This said I did not find any of the dishes particularly memorable. I was disappointed that the fish looked like a filet but wasn't filleted. I would rate this one as a good local eat with a nice setting, but not a place I would drive out of my way to dine at. The bar is very good. read more

What is there not to like about Chapter One? Not getting a table is the only thing that springs to mind. The food is AMAZING as you would expect from a Michelin starred restaurant but truly astounding is the price. It is super affordable and you could easily make it your regular haunt for lunch with the girls without any pressure on the wallet. The maitre d' & floor hosts are the perfect mix of professional & warm. Always on hand to talk through the menu or offer suggestions on wine etc. You can either dine on the main floor (tables of 2 - 10 methinks) or you can rent a private space (if I had a smaller wedding I would have sooo done this). In fact, a friend had her (impromptu) reception here, sat in the main restaurant in her wedding dress and looked perfectly at home in the setting. It is always busy in there and booking in advance is always the way to go with this restaurant but you can take a chance on the day. I have done this twice and only lucked out once so even with my bad maths head I would say that is a 50% chance, no?! Should you just want a few drinks before or after or in place of dinner, there is also a separate waited sit down bar area (gosh, how convoluted can it get!) where you are attended to just as well as in the main restaurant. There is plenty of parking on the grounds and should that be full, I think there would be more than enough space at the hospital a few metres away from it. Ummm, I think it is an hospital, it could be a supermarket but the point is there is plenty of parking space nearby. They are also great with kids and there are plenty to be seen in here on a Sunday - if you are kid averse, avoid Sundays! I would hate to forget to mention the toilets (gasp!) - the ladies are great but would you expect anything less. Chapter One is as fab as any central London based restaurant of the same calibre so don't let the location put you off, it would be a journey worth making. For us local heads, it is just one of the many reasons why Bromley is the place to be :) It is a smart establishment so do dress accordingly but hey we all love a reason to dress up, don't we! read more

The food was absolutely lovely and the service was very good. Portions were small but I was full at the end of the meal. I ate a fantastic pudding that was to die for and it was my partners birthday and they got a message written in chocolate on a plate with some chocolates and a candle which was sweet. read more

A superb restaurant ! I come here once a year for a special occasion and I am never disappointed. It deserves it's Michelin star and it is a cut above any restaurant in Bromley or Orpington. I hope this place never changes! read more

I took a customer here a couple of days ago for a lunch. I arrived early, but thought id sit in the bar and make some calls while I waited for my customer to arrive. Unfortunately I managed to arrive in the middle of a wedding party. The staff seemed delightful towards the wedding guest but a bit flustered at my arrival. I had to ask where the bar was and when I got there there was no one to serve me. I sat down and waited about 5 minutes. I also had to ask if someone would let me know when my table was ready They didn't. When my customer arrived he was served a drink and we got up and asked to be shown to our table. Our drinks were taken out of our hands half way across the main dining room There wasn't much point to be honest if you were going to do it you might as well have done it when I got up at the bar or when I asked to go to our table. We were shown to our table in the corner by big light window. The table was beautiful, elegant, clean and precise with the neighbouring tables were a far way away making the room feel spacious. The menu was wonderful with something on there for everyone, for people with more traditional tastes to those with an adventurous pallet. I had the TREACLE CURED LOCH DUART SALMON WITH LEEKS, BEETROOT, CORIANDER & LEMON MAYONNAISE (excuse caps I copied and pasted for accuracy). This dish was immense a real triumph. The salmon had such a clever flavour I loved it. For main I had the JOSPER GRILLED USDA PRIME RIB-EYE STEAK (350G) SMOKED POTATO PUREE, A RAGOUT OF OYSTER MUSHROOMS & LEEKS & BORDELAISE SAUCE. The steak wasn't overly fatty but perfectly cooked.the only thing I would have preferred is that the potato purée and mushrooms and leeks were on the plate rather than a separate dish as it looked like I had just got a steak on a plate. For pudding I had ORGANIC LEMON TART CREME FRAICHE SORBET & MILLEFEUILLE OF PASSION FRUIT which was the perfect end to the meal. All in all this restaurant is bloody good value for money. There were factors that are unchangeable that I didn't like location off of the main road People bringing screaming children into the restaurant etc but again there is nothing that could physically be done about that. Despite my experience when I arrived I would definitely come back here it's not quite a diamond yet but it's very close. The food alone is worth it. read more

Beautiful food and a great atmosphere, fabulous service..however, the price leaves much to be desired! Really wasn't worth the price considering the size of the portions! read more

Chapter One - Modern European Near Me - Orpington, KEN

beautiful restaurant. food is quality. desserts are divine!!!!

Had a decent meal at chapter one restaurant but the service was slow and the steak I had wasn't what I truly desired and craved. I would've liked it tender and juicy but instead it was a crunchy dry chunk of horse meat and think I was nearly sick of food poisoning! Anyway the wine was fantastic definitely coming again 4 stars read more