Landmark Chiswick Bar Restaurant Closes

Speculation about replacement includes the Ivy and return of Sam Harrison

Carvosso's at 210 the bar and restaurant on Chiswick High Road has closed leading to widespread speculation about who will be taking over the prime site.

Staff and regulars held a party earlier last Sunday 20 August to mark the closure and the premises have remained locked up since then.

We contacted Carvosso's to ask if they could disclose who would be taking over but have not as yet received a reply. It was known that trading had become increasingly difficult and that rates rises were about to raise costs even further. Attempts had been made for at least a year to both sell the premises and find a new leaseholder to take it over.

Before the closure there was a suggestion that a locally-based entrepreneur was looking at opening a Moroccan themed restaurant at the site. Now, there have been a number of candidates but forward including the Ivy Restaurant and Sam Harrison who used to run Sam's Brasserie in Chiswick. Some local residents have said that they would really like to see Sam renewing his business partnership with Rick Stein and taking over the site. Rick Stein, having for years said that he would never open in London, recently took over the Depot in Barnes. However, a spokesperson for Rick Stein's company told us they have not looked at the site.

When we ask the Ivy about any possible plans they told us that they were not considering a Chiswick opening at this point in time. Sam had previously told us that the rent and rates in Chiswick were too high for him to consider making a return but when we asked him again about 210 Chiswick High Road he said 'I'm keeping all my options open'.

The property has total size of almost 6,000 sq feet and is situated in a 17th century building that was converted from a former police station and stables into a large bar, two restaurant dining areas, a sitting room and four private function rooms, all wrapped around a stone courtyard.

Many or the original period features have been maintained, including 19th century carved oak panelling and exposed brick walls, and the walls are covered in an eclectic mix of original artwork. Visitors to Carvosso's could have found themselves sitting in a side room that used to be the cell of the police station.

August 26, 2017