NATHAN CORNWELL'S INSIDER GUIDE TO CHISWICK
The Silver Birch's Culinary Alchemist Brings you the Definitive Guide to Eating and Drinking in Chiswick
Nathan Cornwell is Head Chef at The Silver Birch restaurant, which has become a delicious community hub for leafy Chiswick's well-heeled.
His impressive culinary CV includes Michelin-starred destinations like Copenhagen’s Geranium, Stockholm’s Kadeau and Oaxen Krog and Cheltenham’s Le Champignon Sauvage.
Luckily for us, his passion and skills for showcasing the best of British cooking and ingredients has brought him to Chiswick’s Silver Birch, which shares his passion for celebrating locally sourced produce with innovative, seasonal menus.
The dining experience opens with a selection of bite-sized morsels, like the Coolea cheese sables, trout and seaweed tarts, and crispy pig’s head with Savora mustard. Starters are deliciously different – think ex-dairy cow tartare with smoked oyster, kohlrabi sea herbs, herb cracker and Salt-baked organic celeriac.
Mains include Herdwick lamb, wild garlic, smoked onion emulsion and new season white asparagus with artichoke pickled pear. And you’ll need to save some space for the show stopping desserts, like the brown butter chocolate delice, milk sorbet and caramelised white chocolate.
Chef Cornwell uses foraged ingredients, plus pickling and preserving techniques, focusing on produce from Chiswick’s doorstep and a network of local suppliers, so you could not be in better hands for a deep dive into Chiswick’s best places to eat and drink, below:
Coffee
Chief Coffee
Chief is my favourite for coffee. I often get a Japanese cold brew on my break.
The café is on the site of a Victorian bottling factory, which makes it a bit different.
They also have loads of Japanese arcade games on the second floor, and a whole pinball lounge downstairs.
Chief Coffee, Turnham Green Terrace Mews, Chiswick, London W4 1QU
Breakfast
Urban Pantry
Urban Pantry is great. Inspired by the thriving cafe culture in Australia and New Zealand, the owner Kate decided to bring Antipodean breakfasts to Chiswick. The corn fritters are a must order.
Urban Pantry, 15 Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU
Lunch
D Grande
As I can’t recommend The Silver Birch for lunch, it would have to be D Grande.
They opened just as lockdown one started, then had queues out the door when they flipped to takeaway.
Go here for tacos and the tequila menu.
D Grande, 132 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1PU
Dinner
La Trompette
For dinner it would have to be high-end, modern French restaurant, La Trompette as it is always delicious and has always been part of the London food scene.
Even with its Michelin star it's very approachable and friendly, with an excellent value set menu.
The menu changes twice a day and they have a brilliant wine list to accompany it.
La Trompette, 3-7 Devonshire Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EU
Evening Drinks
Duke of Sussex
For staying out, The Duke of Sussex pub is a great one – complete with chandeliers! But in all seriousness, it’s a little away from the hustle and bustle of Chiswick High Road and has lovely outdoor space to soak up the sun.
For wine, I recommend the excellent wine shop a few doors from us, they have a great selection of bottles and are always there to help.
The Duke of Sussex, 75 S Parade, London W4 5LF
Insider Tip
Foubert's
Foubert’s is just around the corner from Chief Coffee and it's like going back in time to an old fashioned ice cream parlour.
It’s pretty small and dates back to 1978, so it's always busy. And it is also a hotel with eight rooms above it!
Foubert's, 2 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1QP
Nathan Cornwell is Head Chef at The Silver Birch, 142 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1PU
