Forum Topic

Sam's back in Chiswick

I used to really love Sam’s Brasserie and was so sad when it closed.Now there’s Sam’s Riverside which, with its river views, must have one of the best restaurant sites in London.But it’s great that Sam is now back in Chiswick! Today Sam’s Larder opens at 59-61 Turnham Green Terrace.  Email received says that as well as having fresh products from their favoured producers and a range of frozen meals made by chefs from Sam’s Riverside, there will also be a little café serving coffees and pastries, breakfast and lunch through to the evening for Sam’s Suppers.So I hope we all support it.  Welcome back Sam!

Rae Lewis ● 1431d22 Comments

Passed by this eve, didn't go in but will have a gander tomorrow. It certainly looks inviting and cosy!

Elle Jones ● 1431d

Definitely will pop in

Beccy Thorp ● 1428d

Popped in today. The prices seem, well -a bit extortionate -yes I know everything is going up, and I am happy to pay for quality BUT I don't think I'll be a regular patron

Ms A Mark ● 1427d

Agreed, eye-watering prices but it was full of people (and dogs) earlier.

Stewart Jones ● 1426d

I am thrilled to be back in ChiswickIt's been 7 years since we closed in Barley Mow Passage and so very good to be in W4 againI am sorry that a couple of you feel our prices are highWe have a range of items on our shelves and on our menus and the premise it that we source the very best of everything we can- so I am afraid there will always be places who offer alternatives for lessBut I am 100% confident that everything is good value for the  quality we sellI look forward to seeing many old friends soonSam

Sam Harrison ● 1425d

It’s a great addition to TGT, don’t get me wrong. Have you considered joining The Chiswick Calendar card scheme - even at a 5% reduction?

Stewart Jones ● 1425d

Great to have you back Sam. Look forward to checking out the new place this week.

Paul Campbell ● 1425d

Well, I've really missed Sam's.  Hammersmith has just been too far and we've only passed by a couple of times - so the idea of a chef cooked meal occasionally to take home is really tempting.I fell in love with crushed new potatoes in their skins after visiting Barley Mow Passage!  No peeling and no waste - right up my street.  Sam's did an exercise on reducing food waste many years ago and I remember there being a competition where the winner said her no-food-waste tip was to not buy anything unless she had three ways of using it.  How ever well you prepare there can always be last minute changes to your day's/evening's plans.

Philippa Bond ● 1425d

Thanks Stewert and I will speak to team at Chiswick Calendar

Sam Harrison ● 1425d

First visit to Sam’s today, fantastic addition to TGT, congratulations to Sam and keep all the goodies coming. We are trying the Goan Chicken Curry tonight ha!

Jayne Thorburn ● 1423d

Be very interested to hear how you get on with the Goan chicken dish. We love Sam's - when it was here in Chiswick, and now at Sam's Riverside - but I tried the frozen chilli con carne the other week, and have to say I was disappointed - very watery and it didn't have much flavour. I have the Goan chicken in the freezer, so hoping this might fare a bit better!

Mark Edwards ● 1423d

Great news! I was a regular for Sunday brunch at his brasserie in Barley Mow Passage (by Chiswick Post Office) until he had to close it, which was very sad. Always delicious food and excellent service. Welcome back Sam!

jenny Mein ● 1421d

The Goan chicken was really good full of flavour, the sauce was a little watery but tasted superb. One tip, we cooked from frozen and the instructions were wrong. It took twice along to heat through in the oven than the instructions, I think they may have put the wrong label on the lid. We had the meal for 2 but my guess is cooking instructions were for meal for one. Not complaining it was delicious.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1421d

Actually the chilli needed more cooking than the instructions indicated, so it might be that they are wrong! I also found it strange that the first instruction was for a defrosted dish, when I assume they are meant to be cooked from frozen? I might give them a friendly heads-up - as I say, we love Sam's, and would certainly want to give their frozen meals another go.

Mark Edwards ● 1420d

We tried the Goan chicken and it is marvellous. I always use a meat thermometer when cooking defrosted food rather than relying on instructions given on packaging alone. It was at a safe temperature when we gave it the designated time but only just so we left it in for a bit longer and it came out perfect.

Felicity Caborn ● 1419d

We tried the Moroccan stew. Not cheap at £14 and a bit disappointing. Like others on this thread we found it needed a good 5-10 minutes longer to cook fully.My feeling was/is after going round the shop that Sam needs somehow to broaden his "larder" frozen food offering. For example: how about trying to sell some of the items (frozen presumably) from his restaurant menu?

Robin Knight ● 1419d

Agreed on the Goan chicken which is delicious. The price point on these is well chosen as it works out as good value when compared to an equivalent takeaway and you have the added benefit of knowing more of your spend is going to a local business rather than an internet delivery enabler that pays very little tax.

Andrew OSullivan ● 1418d

Thank you all very much for your feedback on our range of frozen food. We have worked very hard on these dishes and really hope you enjoy them as much as we do. They are all prepared by my Head Chef & his team at Sam's Riverside in Hammersmith. We use all the same ingredients we use in the restaurant and so the very best of everything we can source. Our aim is to provide you restaurant quality food that you can grab from your freezer when needed. We have designed the dishes to be cooked from frozen and our instructions are based on our testing at home, but do find that some ovens do cook slower or faster than others. We added cooking instructions from defrosted as some customers were asking us what to do if the dish defrosted. I hope that makes sense and any feedback or questions please drop in the shop or email mesam@samsriverside.co.ukMany thanksSam

Sam Harrison ● 1418d

"but do find that some ovens do cook slower or faster than others" That is a very good point that needs to be taken onboard when cooking,especially from frozen.

Julian Pavey ● 1418d

I had the Goan chicken last night, and it was indeed delicious, but needed considerably longer in our oven (which traditionally has been on the hot side) than the 50 minutes suggested. In fact in needed about 70 minutes, so maybe the cooking times do need revisiting?

Mark Edwards ● 1418d

Just been there for lunch for the first time.  We found the atmosphere inside  friendly and cosy.  You’re surrounded by all the displays of upmarket merchandise now including a lot of seasonal items, stocking-fillers, chocolates, mince pies, Christmas puds etc which looked quite tempting as did the whole of the short menu.  We had a three-cheese toastie and a smoked haddock chowder.  Very yum and not too expensive considering the quality and location.  We’ll definitely be back.  As mentioned above, it’s dog-friendly.

Alastair Banton ● 1381d

Prices are eye watering. Just had one of their frozen chicken pies for dinner at £18 for 2 . Overriding tastes were liquorice and salt - not nice

Carol Gray ● 1373d