Sam’s Larder – Review

Sam Harrison opened his first eponymous restaurant in 2005, having fallen in love with the buzz of the catering business at a young age. His passion for great food, locally sourced produce and exceptional customer service being an integral part of the company ethos. Sam has since continued to expand the brand, and with the help and training of Rick Stein the business has continued its success, going on to win various prestigious awards and opening of further sites around West London.

After taking some time out, Sam opened Sam’s Riverside in 2019, adding a much-needed dash of glamour to the Fulham restaurant scene. Set overlooking the Thames, this stunning location was everything Sam and his partner could hope for, only to be struck by the Covid-19 lockdown just months after opening its doors. Obviously seriously worried about the future of this new venture Sam reached out to local customers for their support in keeping the business going through the pandemic, and as a testament to the loyalty of his customers, the response was amazing, by pledging to support the business once it could reopen, the restaurant survived and is now one of the riversides most thriving and buzzing locations, along with the added attraction of a Sam’s Larder just around the corner, locals and visiting customers can also indulge in delicious gourmet take-home cuisine and specialist ingredients for at-home dining.

For his latest venture Sam’s Larder in Chiswick, Sam has fused these concepts, part upmarket deli, part cosy restaurant, Sam’s in the perfect place for a relaxed breakfast, lunch or dinner. The intimate setting is great for both parties and lone diners, with a simple, yet utterly delicious menu, where you can indulge in three courses, have a convenient and luxurious snack or take home something from the ready-made selection.

We started off our evening with a glass of incredible bio-dynamic red wine from Italy along with a portion of Sam’s signature Parmesan Churros, which are pure indulgence and served in with the right amount to leave you wanting more. This was followed by the deeply warming Chestnut and Roasted Parsnip Soup, delicately decorated with crispy thyme and a dollop of sour cream – one of the best soups I’ve tasted in a long time. This was accompanied by a delicious crispy local sourdough.

For the main course I had the Turkey and Kale Salad, which although sounds simple, had an immense fullness of flavour, the freshness of the produce evident in every mouthful. We also tried the Hot Pastrami and Swiss Cheese Sandwich with Sauerkraut on Rye, which was better than one from any New York Deli I’ve ever visited – totally mouth-watering and the perfect balance of salty and slightly sweet.

To top off our meal we shared the Affogato, which our waiter kindly made as a ‘decaf’ version due to the late hour, plus a cheeky Salted Caramel Canele, which was not too sweet, just a great texture. Other sweet treats on offer are healthy power balls and rich chocolate brownies. Additional dishes on the ever-changing menu include a Wild Boar Tortelloni and Smoked Haddock Chowder, which we must go back and try. Perfect cuisine for these chilly winter days.

Currently decked out for the holiday season, the store also stocks a range of gourmet chocolates and gifts for foodies. Go fill your stockings!

Address: 59-61 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1RP

Website: www.samslarder.co.uk/locations/chiswick

Written by Claire Bloom

#chiswick #deli #SamsLarderW4