An attentively glorified delicatessen, you would be forgiven for expecting foreign cuisine - rows of fat olives stuffed with unpronounceable things. However, Corgi's is quintessentially British, despite boasting its delicate Continental Chic.
Her Majesty gazes down at me above the roaring fireplace towards the back, in the cosy drawing room where trendy café snuggles into traditional, private sofa-warmth. She clearly approves of the majestic, gourmet domes of pretty, plump cupcakes (each made daily) being avidly devoured before her eyes.
Corgi's also has a mind-blowing range of perfectly- packaged handmade sweeties, not that you would be hungry after having munched there.
A strong sense of a family-run community abounds. This really is a 'deli with a difference'. Pop in for a perfectly-priced coffee by the window and you will be hooked.
Ideally located in one of the top 'places to be' in Chelsea, Corgi's welcomes you with open arms. Swiftly and comfortably seated, 'defining' this unique place is far from easy for me to do. Corgi's refreshingly refuses to be neatly slotted into the oh-so familiar café / bar / deli / pub / restaurant / bistro cliché. No proverbial pigeon-holing here.
At ridiculously cheap prices and so fresh that they are almost still growing in your glass, their list of shakes, smoothies and juices is as long as your arm. The milkshakes could put New York diners to shame. I think mine was carrot-based and slightly frothy with a slight pomegranate aftertaste. Only to ensure that I can see in the dark, I thought a second glass was essential.
Rubbing shoulders with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Corgi's has numerous medical-related tales to tell. Apparently, some of the heavily-pregnant Corgi's-pilgrims have a penchant for the infamous lemon-meringue pie after a scan. As for their almond cakes, all I can say is that they must be worth enduring labour for. Corgi's is a known haunt for expecting fathers too. I heard how nervous, tired daddies-to-be often visit here to re-fuel themselves and also to satisfy the hormonal, often unusual, cravings of their wives in the ward 'next-door'. Christine and Niki are truly proud, hands-on parents to their Corgi's baby (or rather puppy) and quite rightly so. Had they launched Corgi's earlier, when I was in the C&W hospital with a broken leg, I am sure my healing process would have been greatly accelerated.
Despite perfect service, it's a treat to peruse the deli's central counters, trying not to order everything in sight. It is a 'pick-n-mix' of al dente side orders. Mediterranean vegetables abound alongside eclectic salads and, my favourite, Corgi's roasted butternut squash.
Faced with yet another side-option, I deliberate for quite a while between choosing one of two species of bubble and squeak (both Britishly recommended). Life is so tough. I plump for the spring onion variety and am not disappointed.
Corgi's had obviously switched its café hat for a gourmet restaurant chef's hat. Even though, from the corner of my eye, I could spy the cakes, muffins and pastries smiling at me seductively, my perfectly cooked fillet steak (with all the trimmings) was centre-stage. Pushing all things British, their pies are traditional and delicious and even though a delightful salmon 'en croute' graces the menu with its presence, the fish is not French.
I feel like a little girl at a fairy's tea-party, not sure whether to eat the colourful cakes with magic sprinkles or to frame them and hang them on a wall. I wouldn't be surprised if Heston Blumenthal is hiding in the kitchen armed with his liquid nitrogen and icing bag.
Loos always tell you a lot about the calibre of a place. Corgi's epitomises the clean lines and chic, trendy elegance of the deli itself. read more
