In Catalonia, a campaner is a kind of bellringer, a town crier, a deliverer of important news.
So consider us to be your campaner about The Campaner.
Because they’ve just launched a new weekend brunch menu, and Nudge Members (and up to 3 lucky guests) are getting 50% off the food bill for the whole of February & March.
You’ll find it in one of the prettiest parts of Chelsea, and it’s the first international outpost from Los Reyes del Mango, a restaurant group who run two of the best eateries in Barcelona – Terraza Martinez & Frankie Gallo Cha Cha Cha. If you happen to be in Barcelona in the near future, look them up. They’re essentially restaurant royalty there.
Here, they’ve anchored themselves in the fancy new Chelsea Barracks building. And good lord, is it an amazing building. Ignoring the freakishly large half-man, half-rabbit statue outside, you’ll come into a cathedral-like interior, absolutely filled with soaring brick arches that reach up to the double-height vaulted ceiling, with colossal light fixtures that could easily fit a couple of people inside them dangling down. A couple of seating areas are separated by a long central island bar. And wrapping around the whole thing is a serene terrace gazing out onto the Grade II-listed Garrison Chapel next door, as well as its kitchen garden (and that rabbit statue).
So, that new brunch. It’s inspired by the Spanish & Catalan tradition of ‘Vermuteo’, which is essentially a kind of casually lavish brunch involving tapas, vermouth, beer, or wine. There’s a parade of gorgeous little tapas dishes, from Iberian ham croquettes to gildas of anchovies, piparra & olives; platefuls of jamón de jabugo; fillets of boquerones in jerez vinegar; salted cod fritters with quince alioli; Mallorca sobrasada with honey; and prawns al ajillo (with garlic sauce). Want something bigger? There are sourdough toasts with avocado & sundried tomato, or lobster brioche rolls. And you can finish it all with a Crema Catalana or a Basque cheesecake.
The lunch & dinner menu leans towards Catalan dishes but keeps things refreshingly flexible. You can start with oysters dressed in lemon & sherry vinaigrette, or a selection of Spanish cured meats & cheeses. Move onto their sharing plates, which range from classics like patatas bravas and Iberian ham croquettes to the more unexpected, like mussels with Stilton and fennel, or scallops with oyster mushrooms and butternut squash purée. For something heartier, there’s escudella, a warming Catalan stew with butifarra, cabbage, and a soft-boiled egg. But it’s all designed for sharing.
But the real showstopper? That would be the monkfish & lobster casserole. This is a dish from Terraza Martinzez, and it’s become their signature there. It’s served in two stages: first the lobster & monkfish come out with some potatoes, then the casserole is returned to the kitchen and the remaining sauce is mixed in with poached eggs, more potatoes, and fish fumet, to be returned to the table as the second course, served with fresh bread.
To drink, they have all manner of Spanish wines & cocktails (the pineapple mezcal margarita is lovely), and some refreshing Spanish beers too.
In short, it’s worth shouting about.
NOTE: The Campaner is open now, Tuesday to Sunday. You can find out more, and book, right here.
PERK: Nudge Members (+3) are getting 50% off the weekend brunch menu for the whole of February & March. Find out more under the ‘50% Off’ banner above. Not a Nudge Member yet? Sign up for a free 7 day trial.
PLEASE NOTE: The brunch menu is available on every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-1pm. The perk does not apply to evening bookings.
The Campaner | Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Square, SW1W 8BG
If you like the sound of this… it’s not a stretch to imagine you might want to get to know the best Spanish restaurants in London.
