13/10/26

Review of Brook & Green in Chiswick

From the refined world of Silver Birch to the more relaxed, all-day appeal of Brook & Green, this Chiswick address has entered a new chapter, one that brings together thoughtful cooking, welcoming hospitality and a rather lovely sense of ease. There is something particularly appealing about a restaurant that knows how to be sophisticated without making a fuss about it. Brook & Green, the new incarnation of the former Silver Birch restaurant in Chiswick, has embraced a more relaxed approach to dining, without losing the attention to detail that makes a meal feel special.

The name itself is a nod to its location between Chiswick’s Turnham Green and Stamford Brook, and the concept feels very much in keeping with the neighbourhood.

Open throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner, it is designed to be somewhere you can pop in for a coffee, linger over lunch or settle in for a leisurely evening. We visited for lunch, keen to see how this new chapter was taking shape. The interiors strike a pleasing balance between modern industrial and understated elegance. Warm timber, natural tones and comfortable seating soften the contemporary architecture, while the exposed cream-coloured ceiling ducting is a particularly wonderful feature. Rather than something to conceal, it has become an architectural detail in its own right, lending character and a little unexpected drama to the room.

There is a warmth to the space that makes it feel inviting rather than overly designed, somewhere equally suited to a morning coffee, a business lunch or dinner with friends. We also had the pleasure of meeting owner Tim Price, whose personal involvement is very much part of the restaurant’s charm. Present to meet and greet guests, he takes a genuine interest in their comfort and enjoyment. It is a lovely touch, and one that feels increasingly rare. Tim previously opened Silver Birch in 2020, and his ambition with Brook & Green is to create a restaurant that becomes part of the everyday life of Chiswick rather than somewhere reserved solely for special occasions.

And then, of course, there was the food. We began with a selection of smaller plates, including Korean glazed chicken, char-grilled and coated in a rich gochujang glaze, with sesame, spring onion and pickled cucumber providing freshness and crunch. It was a satisfying combination of sweet heat and savoury depth. But the dish that really captured my attention was the crispy artichoke with Parmesan and lemon aioli. Confit baby artichokes, fried until beautifully crisp, arrived with finely grated Parmesan, a sharp lemon aioli, parsley and mint. It was absolutely incredible. The contrast between the delicate artichoke, crisp exterior and wonderfully tangy aioli was irresistible. I could quite happily have ordered another plate and called it lunch. Sometimes it is the simplest-sounding dishes that leave the biggest impression, and this was certainly one of them.

For our main courses, we chose two comforting classics. The chicken schnitzel was made with panko-crumbed chicken, served with lemon aioli, peppery rocket and shaved Parmesan. Generous, crisp and reassuringly familiar, it was exactly the sort of dish that suits the restaurant’s relaxed approach.

The bavette steak frites came with Café de Paris butter and hand-cut chips. A classic pairing that needs little embellishment, with the richly flavoured butter providing that extra touch of indulgence. Alongside, we shared a chopped salad of mixed leaves, avocado and toasted seeds, finished with a sherry vinaigrette, a welcome fresh counterpoint to the richer dishes.

What I particularly liked about the menu was its lack of pretension. There are plenty of interesting flavours and thoughtful combinations, but nothing feels unnecessarily complicated. It is food you actually want to eat, rather than simply admire. Brook & Green also places an emphasis on seasonal British ingredients, with produce sourced from smaller growers, higher-welfare meat and fresh fish from the south coast. It is an approach that feels entirely appropriate for a contemporary neighbourhood restaurant.

The transition from Silver Birch’s more formal fine-dining experience to this accessible, all-day offering feels like a thoughtful evolution. There is still a sense of refinement, but the atmosphere is noticeably more easy-going. And perhaps that is exactly what makes Brook & Green so appealing. With its handsome interiors, genuinely welcoming owner and a menu that combines familiar favourites with a little culinary flair, Brook & Green has all the makings of a much-loved neighbourhood address.

As for me, I already know what I shall be ordering when I return. Those artichokes have rather stayed on my mind.

Address: 142 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 1PU

For more information or to book a table, click here.

Words and food photos by Claire Bloom

Interior photography courtesy of Brook & Green

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A Guide to Marylebone

Dec 20, 2023

3 min read

Updated: May 14, 2024

Marylebone is home to a host of boutiques, independent shops and an array of cafes and restaurants, catering to all tastes and budgets. The area also boasts beautiful landmark buildings, such as The Wallace Collection and the very glamorous Chiltern Firehouse, highly recommended if you want to extend your trip beyond a day out and splash out on a boutique hotel experience.

Where to shop

There is a never-ending supply of elegant and quirky boutiques showcasing everything from rare whiskies to handmade artisan chocolates, fashion and homeware, as well as old-fashioned pharmacies and apothecaries, a must for lovers of lotions and potions.

Anatome

Step up your self-care routine with sleep must-haves, with relaxing prescription oils and soothing teas at Anatome. This hidden gem of an apothecary is the perfect place to source skincare and botanical potions to uplift and warm your spirit in winter.

Their signature potion Sleep Botanicals combines essential oils such as lavender, frankincense and sage, which invite you to drift off and relax into a dreamy sleep, wearing one of their silky black-out eye masks. To accompany their oil blends Anatome has a range of teas that have been expertly blended by a Scottish tea maker. These tea blends reflect the harmonious essential oils used in their skincare and relaxation formulations.

Sunspel

Sunspel is a British luxury brand, selling timeless everyday classics for men and women, crafted from the finest fabrics, with a contemporary edge to their designs. Sunspel has a rotating selection of exciting collaborations and carefully curated guest brands.

Prism

Looking for a brand that sells beachwear all year round? We all know how frustrating it can be when you want to escape the British Winter, but it isn’t the right season to find swimwear in shops… At Prism you can luxury swimwear, eyewear and resortwear, which are both functional and fashionable.

What to eat

Around Marylebone, you will find cosy upscale traditional pubs as well as vegan and organic cafes, serving, brunch, lunch and that pick-me-up post-shopping coffee and cake, with plenty of intriguing offers for the refined sugar-conscious. The area has a calendar of special events and celebrations, which keeps the area buzzing with locals and visitors alike.

Souli

Coffee fans flock to Souli for their Italian imported coffee, where they can expect a smooth and velvety finish. It’s a great place to pick up sweet treats, a light bite or healthy comfort food for lunch. Choose a warm day during spring or summer and enjoy dining alfresco with loved ones.

The Grazing Goat

The Grazing Goat boasts stylish and comfortable rooms with an upmarket and chic pub. Situated on New Quebec Street, it is nicely tucked away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Marble Arch. British produce is at the heart of the menu, open for breakfast through to dinner, it’s also a great place to have after-work drinks. The staff are welcoming and friendly, it’s definitely a hidden gem in Central London.

Chiltern Firehouse restaurant

Chiltern Firehouse restaurant is situated in Marylebone’s grade II listed Victorian fire station and is part of the Chiltern Firehouse hotel. This gorgeous restaurant is stylish, chic and very upmarket, it’s the type of place you would go to, to celeb watch! Head Chef Luke Hunns has created a fresh menu of reimagined classics and bold new flavours, dishes include Steak Tartare, Seared Halibut, Lobster Linguine and much more!

A.O.K Kitchen

Explore A.O.K Kitchen, a place where you can find a menu free from refined sugar, with lots of meat-free, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Dishes are presented beautifully and the staff ensure you are well taken care of. Dishes include Salads, Shakshuka, Wild Seabass, Grilled Baby Chicken and Honey Roasted Salmon.

Where to get your culture fix

Frameless

Looking for a new way to view art, Frameless gives visitors the chance to become part of the art world in a fully immersive experience. Art comes to life as a dramatic sensory experience, taking you through rooms of revolving and evolving art as it springs to life around you, displaying the work of world-renowned artists including Monet, Dali and Klimt, accompanied by sound and light. Visitors can wander through at their own pace, with strategic seating provided to allow the viewer time to completely immerse themselves in the painting as it emerges.

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Sherlock fans step back in time and enter a world of Victorian curiosities, and many of the objects, letters and characters from Sherlock Holmes’ most famous cases. The museum’s interior has been designed to look exactly how it was described in Doyle’s stories and It’s been said 221B Baker Street is the “world’s most famous address”. Get there early, queues can get be extremely long, especially in the summer.

For more information visit www.makeitmarylebone.co.uk | @MakeItMarylebone

Photography by Nyla Sammons

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