In the heart of super trendy Chelsea, a stone’s throw from the fashionable Kings Road, I discovered a restaurant that marries tradition, innovation and creativity with a simple and confident attitude. It is Elystan Street, at the helm of which we find Phil Howard,  highly respected figure in the industry with a multitude of awards to his name and without doubt a true chef’s chef. Phil has always cooked with harmony of flavour being his absolute mantra – and this being achieved through classical flavours and rigorously seasonal and ingredient-led cooking. None of this has changed at Elystan Street but an increased focus on vegetables and a lightness of touch now prevails.With over 30 years of experience in running some of London’s finest and most respected neighbourhood restaurants Rebecca Mascarenhas brings her immense experience and passion to Elystan Street. As a pro restaurant goer she has not only amassed a hard-earned diner’s opinion but a perspective to help ensure that her own businesses never rest on their laurels.

Phil is one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs. He currently holds one Michelin star at his Chelsea restaurant Elystan Street and previously held two at The Square in Mayfair.
He is also about to open in Covent Garden his second restaurant with an Italian menu, the Pasta Bar Notto, featuring italian inspired dishes such as burrata with black cabbage and anchovy, garlic & orange dressing, veal with tuna sauce, gnocchetti with smashed sausage, white wine, fennel & chilli, pumpkin & chestnut ravioli with pine nuts, brown butter, sage & parmesan, just to name few. Phil’s prerogative is using 100% classic flavors, which doesn’t mean not being creative, but invites freshness, therefore tradition without being too heavy.I met Phil at Elystan Street

Phil co-owns Elystan Street and Kitchen W8 with Rebecca Mascarenhas. He’s about to open his second Notto in Covent Garden with another business partner, Julian Dyer.

Hi Phil, your first memory in the kitchen?
The slightly toasted scent of the lake fish that I had just caught and which was cooked by my parents on their farm. It was simple cuisine, basic dishes, everything always very fresh.
Do you enjoy cooking fish?
I love fish dishes, England is surrounded by seas, I think that here you can find some of the best fish in the world and I assure you… I have traveled (and enjoyed) a lot, I have just returned from Tokyo and Kyoto and I love traveling in Africa.

Mine is a job in which pleasure is important, and I think that Italian cuisine is its spokesperson. I have been cooking for 35 years and there has always been a pasta dish on my menuDo you cook at home?
Yes, simple dishes: fish, meat and then my wife Jennie is a fantastic cook. I also like to browse other restaurants, although I tend to always return to my favourites.
For example?
Riva, an Italian restaurant on Church Rd, in business for many years. I find them to offer the best cotoletta alla milanese.
Passionate about Italian cuisine?
Mine is a job where the key word is “pleasure”. I think Italian cuisine is its spokesperson. I have been cooking for 35 years and a pasta dish has always appeared on my menu, often combined with local excellences, such as my Orkney scallop ravioli, a type of crustacean that is harvested by hand in the pristine waters of the Orkney Islands in Scotland.
One of your favorite dishes?
Cashew hummus, a dish that has evolved over the years.

Cashew nut hummus with roasted vegetables, a light curry dressing, nut milk and lime

INFO
https://www.elystanstreet.com/
https://www.nottopastabar.com/