Forum Topic

Farewell Rock and Rose

I was really disappointed to hear Rock and Rose was closing on the High Road. Having occasionally eaten at the original in Kew Road, the opening in Chiswick a few years ago was really welcome and I had several really excellent meals there since. There was such a contrast between it and the soulless chain that Bill's, which used to occupy the same address, had become. I really hoped that Rock and Rose was the start of a trend in which independent businesses run by people who cared about the area, were taking it back from faceless corporate enterprises.

Alison Howard ● 7d27 Comments

Thank you Denis, that's very reassuring to hear.

Diane Brown ● 4h

The chefs and front of House staff from Chiswick all are in place at Richmond. Other staff have found similar or even better jobs elsewhere.The R&R at Richmond is delightful; food, service, settings, music all grand.Recently returned from their branch in Richmond having enjoyed Sunday lunch with friends.Very sorry the Chiswick branch is no longer.

Denis I. Fox ● 23h

“ you get two hours from the moment you enter as long as the store is open (so don't be tempted by the empty car park on Sunday evening).”That’s nice but people trying to enjoy a leisurely evening out don’t need the stress of watching the clock and having to rush. Life is too short.

Steve Taylor ● 1d

I hope the lovely staff at Rock and Rose all find jobs. I don't have the means to eat out often but this was the place I would choose for special occasions. They were always charming and made us feel very welcome.

Diane Brown ● 2d

Yes, you get two hours from the moment you enter as long as the store is open (so don't be tempted by the empty car park on Sunday evening).

Alison Howard ● 4d

I think there is also a requirement to be out of the car park within 15 or 20 mins of the store closing. As far as I'm aware it's possible to pay to park for longer.

Andrew Jones ● 5d

Many people don’t feel the need to drink alcohol when out for a meal and many people love to drive and choose venues where parking isn’t an issue. Venues where parking is a problem are bound to suffer the consequences

Steve Taylor ● 5d

Going out on the lash at the R@R.You're not driving ...

Dick Greenleigh ● 5d

Not in the roads closest to the Rock and Rose in Kew.It's a few minutes walk north to the roads where you can park after 12 noon. It's less of a walk from where Rock and Rose in Chiswick was, to the roads south of CHR where you can park from 12.30-16.30 without issue.Granted if you wanted to drive to the R&R in Chiswick, then you couldn't just turn up at 12.30 and dump your car for six hours like you can in Kew.

Andrew Jones ● 5d

Oh dear Mansell. Of course the fact that there is limited parking in Chiswick is due to the unused cycle lane and businesses are suffering.

Steve Taylor ● 5d

You get 2hrs free at Sainsbury’s, its ANPR controlled

Michael Good ● 5d

Cargo Bikes, Jimmy boy.

Dick Greenleigh ● 5d

I was speaking with a resident of the new "Chiswick Green" tower blockyesterday (ex- Empire House and Chiswick Empire) and she said that there were no Car Parking fascilities for residents and they had to use the Sainsbury's Car Park!One wonders what is the cost to residents for that ... and how does it affect parking availability for Sainsbury's shoppers.

Jim Lawes ● 5d

"There's no gates at Sainsburys now btw"Does that mean they have number-plate recognition cameras to record you in and out instead ?

Richard Greenhough ● 6d

Amazing any other enterprise survives what with a Sunday market and only 2 hours to park for free. Facts are it wasnt very good and  females (or males) getting off it on Prosecco of a Saturday afternoon is all a bit 90s.Theres no gates at Sainsburys now btw

Tony Mansell ● 6d

The free parking at Sainsbury's is limited to 2 hours which allowing for walking to and from Rock and Rose would give you an hour and a half at the table. I don't think it was the sort of place where customers would be in and out that quickly.Also I think it is the case that you have to be out by 10pm so not ideal if you were on a late sitting.

Anita Blake ● 6d

The Whole of Sainsburys car park opening up to anyone, customers or not, completely contradicts that but Taylors got 1 trick: Pro car - anti cycle. So hes managed to crow bar that in. Just surprising it wasn't the fault of the cycle lane

Tony Mansell ● 6d

"While Lorraine told us the restaurant was probably not in the right place at the right time and was casualty of national economic trends, she also said poor traffic management along the High Road and the impact of regular Sunday markets did not make the business’s life any easier.“The High Road, as far as I’m concerned, is congested all of the time. Parking is a nightmare. They brought Sunday markets in which took a big chunk of our Sunday trading. It just wasn’t doable.”

Nick Jenkins ● 6d

Kew Road you can park down side roads in residents’ parking after 12 noon for free and of course in Old Deer Park if you are ok to pay.

Steve Taylor ● 6d

Maybe different clientele on Sundays, spending less, any small difference can have impact on a business.

Janice Evans ● 6d

Lorraine Angliss claims that the Sunday markets reduced her trade that day but my experience was that it was always pretty full even when the markets were on. However, we should probably trust what business owners tell us about the factors that influence their turnover.The Kew Road restaurant didn't open at lunchtimes as it was hard to park there but you could find spaces in the evening.

Anita Blake ● 6d

Do you think that's what did for the Rock And Rose? There's not massively more parking available near the R&R in Kew Road from what I can remember. High Road house in CHR seems to be doing ok.Removing parking won't have helped, but is unlikely to be the chief reason for Rock and Rose in Chiswick closing.

Andrew Jones ● 6d

Lack of parking for customers can kill a business.

Steve Taylor ● 6d

Shame this has happened,was back in r&r just before xmas and had a great time again. Front of house were always welcoming.

Julian Pavey ● 6d

Very sad to see its demise. Great cocktails and decent food. A huge premises to fill  won't have helped.

Gordon McDonald ● 6d

It was always busy when we visited although that was generally at weekends and evenings. The Kew Road one doesn't open for lunch but, with rents being so high on the High Road, maybe it wasn't an option only to open when it was likely to be full.

Anita Blake ● 7d

I too am disappointed for this restaurant's closure.I found the food served there very good, with a bit of an Eastern twist to it.Great shame, it just didn't appear to take off in W4, unlike it's equivalent in Kew Road which is extremely popular.

Denis I. Fox ● 7d