Pissarro's on the River
our comments
Pissarro on the Thames certainly can’t be accused of over stating the facts; walk out the large conservatory dining area and the river is just a hop, skip and a splash away. Here in the restaurant posh locals entertain both their parents and their teenage children, often simultaneously. The boys owe their style much more to McFly than MC Ho’Killa and ask politely before leaving the table to text their friends every ten minutes. Oddly enough the bunch I was looking at were cutlery-clutchers though, but maybe all kids are these days.
Pissarro manages to blend a smart pub-like feel with a restaurant function, largely avoiding the noisy locals camped at the bar syndrome (although not entirely) and the best restaurant seats are out in the conservatory where, on hot days, the wall folds back to let in the air. After a short drink in the bar area, made a bit shorter by an eager waiter whipping away my unfinished glass, that’s where we went. A decent mix of olives to nibble and some quality bread was a good omen and the menu, which changes regularly, looked good. There is no pretension or snobbiness, and we heard the waitresses generously explaining to many customers what wild garlic was, as well as reassuring others as to the degree of ‘fishiness’ of the fish soup.
Pan-fried scallops with cauliflower puree and tomato, anchovy and pine nut salsa featured smallish scallops with their roe still attached. I assume they were diver caught, as anything else is bad for the scallops’ long-term sustainability. These were well cooked and full of flavour and the roe, often left out from scallop dishes elsewhere, added an extra texture. Cauliflower is always a sound partner for scallops and worked here as expected, the salsa benefited from the crunchy pine nuts but I couldn’t really detect any anchovy. On the other plate, grilled green asparagus, shaved almonds and muscatel dressing was, I was told, a bit dull with the almonds dominating. It’s a shame we don’t see the white asparagus over here; it may be rather ugly but it has a much better flavour. This asparagus could have done with more grilling; a few burny bits would have helped it shine.
New season saddle of lamb was a big old chunk, which may have been its undoing as it failed to be pink in the centre, which at a stroke lost it some points, but it was still an enjoyable dish. The potato and celeriac gratin was very comforting and very more-ish but the peas, although good in their humble way, looked a bit tired and really needed their mint yoghurt dressing to perk them up. My pan-fried monkfish medallions with confit plum tomatoes and a hazelnut and anchovy dressing were rather good, the fish tenderly cooked and well presented and the tomatoes packed with flavour not water.
Cheeses stood out with a very good selection featuring some interesting English as well as lesser-seen French ones such as a delicious paprika spiked Boulette d’Avesnes and a salty, tangy Roquefort Papillon. A pear and apple crumble also hit the spot, served with a caramel nut crunch and a cinnamon ice cream, which I believe the restaurant, makes itself. Our wine throughout, a decent Rioja from a wine list that starts at a fair £17, hovers around £20-22 and never goes into the realm of fantasy prices, was promptly poured but not oppressively so.
This is a sound place cooking solidly and is deservedly popular with both locals and those from further afield. Somewhere I think to trust and take friends.
N.H. - April 2007
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
I organised a family get-together for eight adults and 10 children for a saturday lunchtime. I thought pretty well everything about the restaurant was excellent. For example, the menu was diverse and beautifully cooked, the wine list was well-priced and for £22 the Bordeaux Superior was very good value. The kids menu was limited but enough to keep them from distraction (we did manage to lose one down the bank at low tide though).
We sat in the conservatory part which at Springtime was fine, good scenery and car parking was simple - its location seems very inaccessible for public transport.
Oh and the service was organised, friendly, receptive and very pleasant.
Great job all round
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David Kelly
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Excellent food and ambience. Disappointed with service - at no stage did anyone ask how we found our meal and staff were needed to be prompted at all stages of the meal (including arrival!)
Also booked via their own website and they had no record of this.
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Andrew Thomson
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, January 06, 2008
I ate there last night with friends from Barcelona, who have a very low opinion of our food capabilites in the UK, we had a fantastic evening, food and service were top rated, and our friends vowed to tell their friends coming to the UK that this was a must do for any visit to London. Well done.
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Marc Braso
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Just had dinner last night and felt the need to commend the service. We were the last to leave approx. at 11:15 pm (Sunday) and the staff never made us feel rushed or uncomfortable, and even served drinks till the very end! My only issue was that we were given sides we never ordered and charged for them. Otherwise the food was impressive and overall great atmosphere for a first time meeting between mine and my bf's parents!
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Sweta
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 16, 2006
Fantastic location for this very cozy and friendly restaurant along the Thames in Chiswick. I was there for my parents 40th wedding anniversary and ....what a treat! Very interesting & tasty menu. The seared tuna with aubergine sauce, the rack of lamb and the sea bass were superb. Not to forget the mango & saffron dessert combined with mint ice cream: superb saturday night!
We'll go there again....infact I just booked for our wedding anniversary.
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Claudio Bisio
Overall rating 
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, July 07, 2006
First time at pissaros, and wont be the last, had fantastic evening.
Service fantastic, great menu, great choice of wines would differently recomend to friends.
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claire
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 02, 2006
What a lovely restaurant! I took my mother there for lunch on Mother's Day, and we were treated royally. The rooms were light, buzzy and well decorated, the staff very pleasant and eager to help, and the food wonderful. I shall certainly be coming back again (and again with any luck!)
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Kerie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, March 26, 2006
I have just taken a group of business collegues to Pissarro and have had such a wonderful experience I will be definatley using them again. The food was delicious, an interesting menu, and great wine list, comparable to any West End establishment.
The staff were very sweet and unobtrusive which enabled us to have a business lunch without the constant interuption. We headed to the bar area for coffees and our taxis arrived promptly with good drivers. Highly recommended.
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Richard Kenny
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
I haven't been for 5 years and was so pleased to see that BLUE carpet gone.
This restaurant is great we have had a lovely lunch with views of the thames.
Great wine list. Spectacular food and good generous portions. Yummy dessert and a massive birthday sparkler with even a singing team of waiters!!! Will be back.
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Louise Broome
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 27, 2006
We've visited Pissarro regularly since its re-opening and absolultey love the place. Therefore it was our obvious choice to celebrate St Valentine there. Unfortunately our experience yesterday was rather different. The starters (lobster and king prawns) were good but the main courses really lacked the standard we come to expect from Pissarro. My partner's steak was overcooked and the rosti was blant. My red mullet dish was dry and unexciting. Has there been a change in chef?
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
