The corks were popping in Hammersmith last week as Sam Harrison returned to West London to open his new restaurant on the River Thames.

Sam’s Riverside is next to the newly refurbished Riverside Studios, which will once again house live TV studios and an arts centre following a complete redevelopment of the landmark 1930s property.

Sam, who started his career working with Rick Stein in Padstow, previously owned restaurants in Chiswick and Balham.

Head chef at Sams Riverside is Harvey Trollope who, among other things, was Richard Branson’s private chef  on Necker island in the Caribbean. 

Sam’s Culinary director is Rowley Leigh who launched Kensington Place and writes a regular recipe column in the FT.

Guests at the launch who included Jack Brooksbank (husband of Princess Eugenie and European manager of Casamigos ) Alice Beer and Michael Whitehall were treated to a taste of the restaurant’s sea food offering with Carlingford and Jersey rock oysters and Pommery champagne. 

Typical Sam’s Riverside dishes will include scallop ceviche, grilled octopus, and clams with braised trotter and white beans.

The 70 seat restaurant has huge windows which make the most of its waterside location and the central marble topped bar has 11 pale pink leather stools.

An 18 seat private dining room has striking artwork by Tomo Campbell.

Samsriverside.co.uk  Open daily for lunch and dinner.