Sam Harrison’s eponymous cafe chain seems to be slowly taking over West London. Following hot on the tail of Sam’s Kitchen in Hammersmith, which opened only a year prior, Harrison and business partner Fanny Stocker have launched a second site just opposite Turnham Green station. It’s a casual venture serving brunch, lunch and cocktails all day, every day, with some serious talent in the kitchen and a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
Said ‘talent’ is Abbie Hendren (previously of La Trompette and The Glasshouse), who heads up a menu of superbly executed brunch and lunch dishes. A must-order is her inspired twist on eggs benedict, which sees spongy, homemade crumpets topped with flaky crabmeat, perfectly poached eggs and buttery hollandaise - so simple, yet so fantastic. Dishes are classic but flawlessly cooked, from silky omelettes to a proper full English. We finished on a sweet note with Abbie’s take on yoghurt and granola, featuring cardamom-infused yoghurt and supremely crunchy oat and pecan granola with a juicy chunk of caramelised pineapple.
Although we didn’t sample any on the day, cocktails are taken seriously at Sam’s and treated with just as much care as the food. Its signature Bellini is made with peaches sourced from just down the road, for example. The soft drink selection is well worth a look in too, from cold-pressed juices to smoothies and speciality hot drinks.
We visit just a week post-launch to a room packed with latte-slurping punters enjoying a lazy weekend brunch with friends and family. The space is bright and open, with a stylish bar and coffee counter on one side, leather banquettes and close-knit seating on the other, and contemporary pieces by Sir Peter Blake on the walls.
Competition for coffee shops in Chiswick is arguably at an all-time high right now, but we have no doubt that Sam’s will do incredibly well here.