Sam's Riverside: A first look at the new restaurant as Sam Harrison returns to London

Sat on the north bank of the Thames, overlooking the Hammersmith bridge from its spot on Crisp Road, the soon-to-be all-day opening is Harrison’s first in four years. The old Etonian, who once managed Rick Stein’s restaurants in Padstow, was best known to Londoners for his popular Chiswick haunt, Sam’s Brasserie, and its follow up, Harrison’s, in Balham. Both were sold in 2015 to the Hawksmoor group.

Originally slated to open in February of this year, Sam’s Riverside is promising modern European fare in chic surrounds. Rowley Leigh is the culinary director, and has created the menu in cahoots with head chef Harvey Trollope, whose CV includes time at the Ritz under John Williams, and two years at Wheeler’s, when Marco Pierre White had just opened the place.

Dishes at Riverside include diver-caught scallop ceviche, grilled octopus, and oysters, as well as the likes of a venison chop, rabbit ragu and buttermilk chicken, with starters from £6.50 and main courses from £12 – markedly cheaper than not dissimilar fare available at the famed River Cafe, which is a ten minute stroll down the bank. Wine will go from £6 a glass.

The photos above, the first circulated of the site, show an upmarket, stylish site serving finely tuned classics. While Harrison’s reputation is likely to see him through the winter, it looks almost purpose built for long summer days with rose by the bottle. May they be here swiftly.

For more information, visit samsriverside.co.uk