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Michelin Guide praise for Silver Birch

Having only eaten there once (I wish I had the means to do so more often), it was not a surprise to see the Silver Birch get a mention in this article in the Michelin Guide.https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/endo-kazutoshi-london-recommendationsEndo Kazutoshi is the chef at the restaurant at the old Television Centre in Shepherd's Bush and has a Michelin star himself. Maybe it wouldn't be such a long shot for another Chiswick restaurant to be likewise awarded? I believe the announcements will be made next March.

Felicity Caborn ● 67d28 Comments

Do not feel ill of me, once indulged of hearty appetite my Philippaa.Promise me that thou shall speak of this to no one, swear it, forsake me not.

Denis I. Fox ● 47d

I've worked out and remembered the other restaurant we really enjoyed which is no longer there  - it was Michael Nadra's in Elliott Road.

Philippa Bond ● 47d

Bygone isn't always best.  Life and living changes.  Horizons are widened.  Memories tend to be selective and the company and ambience are also very important when you go out to eat.  We - like many others - were brought up to eat to live and enjoy not over indulge and fall asleep!  So much of that enjoyment is lost when overfaced by excess food and waste when we know we are lucky and there are others going without.

Philippa Bond ● 47d

How terribly old-fashioned and snobbish of you Julian!  It is high time that you moved on from such ideas which should be firmly relegated to the past.  Food served should be eaten and eaten later is better than being sent to an aneorobic digestion plant (at expense to a business premises) and the desire to take it home should be seen and taken as a compliment by the premises.  This is 2024!

Philippa Bond ● 48d

There will never be a restaurant like Southey's. Gargantuan Sunday roast dinners, but superbly cooked by chef John, helped down with lashings of red wine served by Sally, his wonderfully eccentric wife.A real treat, but not for everybody.Bygone days.

Denis I. Fox ● 48d

I used to love Southey's.  I took a friend there once who like the small plate eateries and he nearly fainted when his pork chop came and it was hanging over the large plate. Their wine list was brilliant and it was always warm and friendly. It was not terribly vegetarian friendly never mind vegan so we went to Sam's in mixed company.  I was going to try Hedoni once with some Swedish friends and when they saw the prices they said rude words in Swedish that amounted to" it's more expensive than Stockholm" and we went elsewhere.

Caroline Carney ● 48d

I've eaten there a few times (excellent) but noticed they have changed their menu now so that everything I fancied was a supplement to their 'fixed price' . The same strategy as at La Trompette. Some of these supplements are not just a few quid. I don't like that

david ward ● 51d

More importantly, will the Michelin Star restaurant survive.

Steve Taylor ● 52d

For once, I agree with you. See the WAR thread. The apprehension about a threat from Iran will only serve to remove the horrors of Gaza from the front pages. Hezbollah made it clear that they would only stop their rocket attacks after the end of the attacks on Gaza. Netanyahu could have agreed to a ceasefire, recovered the hostages and ended the threat from Hezbollah. But all he wants is war. Meanwhile we've all become inured to the deaths in Gaza. It's a very sad state of affairs.

Robert Fish ● 52d

That’s very interesting, Jeremy.  I remember that Petersham Nurseries restaurant really regretted their Michelin star.  Apparently their post-star clientele weren’t happy with the rather rustic floor and surroundings!  Anyway as it happens I ate at Silver Birch on Thursday evening and by 8.00 the place was nearly full which had never been the case on previous visits. Hopefully this will continue to be the norm, Michelin star or not.

Alastair Banton ● 52d

More importantly, will Gaza survive?

Steve Taylor ● 52d

As there seems to be an increasingly prevalent view that Silver Birch will be given a thoroughly deserved Michelin star next year, it might be worth pointing out an article that I read recently.This highlighted research that showed that the chances of a restaurant closing rises the year after it is given a star. This is because landlords ask for rent increases, staff want raises and other restaurants poach staff. Whatever the outcome, Silver Birch and other local restaurants will only survive if people eat there.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 52d

went there with the missus for a celebration - fantastic grub, good service! Not cheap, no ... but good value

Davey Harris ● 60d

I much much prefer those with the smaller portions as I like to be able to eat three courses and still feel I can run for a bus.  I would nowadays however prefer to have several vegetarian options.  I've really loved meals at La Trompette and Sam's Brasserie and another on a side street on the other side of the road which no longer seems to be there.  What was that called?  However I expect I'll end up at The Gate again to give vegetarian friends a better choice.But oh for a really good roast dinner or English breakfast with a bit of everything that isn't balanced on something the size of a tea-tray!

Philippa Bond ● 60d

Congratulations to Silver Birch for winning this prestigious award.

Alastair Banton ● 60d

'These fine dining restaurants are not for the hungry.'Very true! I remember my late husband and I going to one in Newcastle almost 20 years ago where the portions were so minute that we ended up buying chips on the way back to our rental.

Susan Kelly ● 65d

These fine dining restaurants are not for the hungry. The idea is not to go away afterwards feeling replete, but rather admiring the artistry of the chef. You'd be hard-pressed to leave sufficient on your plate to justify a doggy-bag.

Robert Fish ● 65d

I would not even think of the idea of taking a box to take homeleftovers. Imagine asking in a mitchelin star restaurant for a container to take what's left on the plate home. It's not a party with cake

Julian Pavey ● 65d

I'd have thought it most important for such a restaurant to be offering seasonal food. From what I read Hedone was a very expensive restaurant offering very unusual food and I wasn't ever in the position of feeling flush enough and time rich enough and relaxed enough to want to risk trying it out.  Luckily for some they did.Nowadays I'd always be looking for a variety of vegetarian or vegan options and and not just a huge lump of meat or fish with vegetable sidethoughts or only added extras of vegetables.  I've taken a box for leftovers for years but unfortunately portions seem to be growing as is the size of the population.

Philippa Bond ● 65d

That’s interesting, Richard.  My one visit to Hedone was in Autumn and I was underwhelmed and it could have been the seasonality focus that was the problem.  If I remember rightly there was no beef or lamb on the menu.  But there was a wildfowl leg complete with claws. Very exotic.

Alastair Banton ● 65d

Re: Hedone - I think also the no choice you'll 'get what's in season' approach was a contributor. If paying those prices I'm not sure you'd want to leave it to chance irrespective of the quality.Republic didn't give themselves a fighting chance. Zero marketing, punchy pricing etc I'd love there to be a High Rd alternative to the woeful Annapurna.Will have to revisit Silver Birch as went once when it first opened and thought ok - appears its significantly better now.

Richard Schofield ● 66d

I wonder if the slightly biackwater location, western end of the High Road, hindered the success of Michelin starred Hedone?  It was rated by some as the best in the U.K.  Then the very superior and recommended contemporary Indian known as Republic in the same premises a while later didn’t last long either.  They were both pretty much bang opposite the Italians which seems to be surviving quite well as@deli/cafe over many years and I for one am happy to be a regular.  Their Gorgonzola  Dolce in the big tub is my favourite wonderfully sexy cheese!  Great salads too and a hell of a range of hams and salamis.  Bottled wines are rather budget-stretching though.Anyway, back to Silver Birch.  It’s the best and I’m going back there again  next week for about the fourth or fifth time.  I always leave wanting more.  In a good way, not hungry, more like addicted to their astonishing and yummy flavour and texture combos, all beautifully presented.  It deserves a Michelin star.

Alastair Banton ● 66d

I remember the excitement when Hedone in CHR opened and got its Michelin star so quickly,  but it didn’t last that long.

Peter Evans ● 66d

It wasn't full when we went which is one of the reasons I felt I should big it up. It does seem to have a very low profile and I'm amazed at the number of W4 residents who I mention it too and they have never heard of it. Now is the time to go because, if it does get a Michelin star, it will be booked up and the prices will go up.

Felicity Caborn ● 66d

That's not good.It is all a bit serious, like experiencing classical music at the RAH for the first time.Great restaurants are not all about the quality of the food, there has to be an element of fun and gaiety.

Denis I. Fox ● 67d

Tried it for the first time recently.  Food delicious but it was quiet and therefore lacking in atmosphere.  Added to that, they would not let us order even a peppermint tea (let alone another glass of wine) at 10.30 as they closed at 11.00. It didn’t feel very hospitable and has put me off going back.

Anna Beck ● 67d

We've enjoyed a couple of great lunches there, but found it a rather lonely experience!  They told us they're busier in the evening, so I hope they survive.

Peter Evans ● 67d

The food is wondrous, but for me, an occasional treat.

Denis I. Fox ● 67d