REVIEW: Harry Smiles and the Chambers Menu

Saturday 29 February 2020

Is it worth trading atmosphere for flavour? Decibels for deliciousness? A strictly anonymous, definitely unpaid and totally independent food critic found himself pondering just that during his latest dining experience.

Columnist Harry Smiles regularly visits local eateries to sample their menu, test their service and dish up his 100% honest feedback.

With very high standards, which he expects the people cooking his food to beat, Harry is not an easy man to please.

While he claims he has never been one to rush to the latest trendy venue to open its doors, nor straight after a refurbishment, Harry said Chambers' recent revamp did pique his interest...

"Chambers has always been one of my favourite places in the island - be it to dance (most) of the night away, have a ‘wine’ down with friends or go on dates (my main squeeze and I actually finished our first date at Chambers many moons ago).

Pictured: The Chambers of yesteryear... (Google Maps)

In the several months it was closed, I found myself trying to replace my favourite night spot, but had to come to the harsh realisation that nothing compared to the real thing.

I was therefore really looking forward to its re-opening, especially knowing they would be dishing out Asian cuisine.

The perspective of meeting friends for dinner and then moving seamlessly to the dancefloor appealed to my hermit heart.

After waiting a few good weeks (apparently a lot of other people also wanted to sample the ‘Smoke’ menu), I finally managed to nab a table.

Pictured: But first, cocktails.

Now, before I go any further, I want to say the food was stunning. There is a wide variety of dishes available and enough to please everyone regardless of whether Asian food is up your street or not.

I ended up going for the ‘chargrilled supreme of salmon’ and immediately regretted...not ordering two.

It was the best salmon I had ever had – its skin was just the right amount of crispy, while the inside melted in my mouth with delicious smokey notes, it was bliss.

It came with an herby flatbread and a series of dips - some of which were better than others – and the whole thing made me want for more.

Pictured: The ‘chargrilled supreme of salmon’... It tastes as pretty as it looks.

Luckily, I had ordered some seasoned sweet potato wedges – which were top notch – and they helped curb the cravings. (I may have also nibbled on my companion’s French fries, but that’s a different story.)

But here's the thing: as good as the food was, I probably would not recommend Chambers as a dinner spot.

While ‘Smoke’ boasts a “relaxed dining experience”, I saw nothing of that.

The music was a bit too loud – bearing in mind it was a Wednesday at about 18:00 – and I struggled to hear what my companion was saying.

Pictured: If only flavours could shout louder than music...

In addition, despite the room being empty, the waiter crammed a couple of ladies right next to our table.

Our table was in a corner and the other one was close: neither me, nor the lady on the other table could move without the other shuffling around.

Having returned several times since, I can say the noise levels haven’t improved. If anything, they get worse the busier Chambers gets.

What is the point of catching up with friends over drinks if you can’t talk to them?

In the old days, you could shake it out on the dancefloor and then move to the main room for your friends to comment on your moves.

Pictured: I ordered a side of (delicious) sweet potato wedges... not decibels.

Even on the small dancefloor close to the entrance you could hear yourself talk (which in hindsight may or may not have been a good thing!)

I always liked the fact that Chambers was both a pub and nightclub, and yes you could grab the odd nibble when you wanted to.

Now, it just feels like the dancefloor has spilled right into my plate. Excuse me, but I never ordered a side of decibels.

With all things being said, the food is definitely worth the visit and I would highly recommend you go and try it out... It’s probably best to go on your lunch, though, unless you don’t care about what your companion has to say."

Read this review and other features in Connect's latest edition.