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Nic Crilly-Hargrave

Restaurants

Talisa Dean 22/08/22


The Cheese Barge

The Cheese Barge | Float A Whey on London’s Canals

After finding some considerable success with his restaurants The Cheese Bar and Pick & Cheese, Mathew Carver knows exactly what floats the average cheese-lover’s boat.

So he’s opened one.

It’s called The Cheese Barge and it’s a two-storey, 96ft aquatic ode to curds, permanently moored along Paddington’s Grand Union Canal (by The Grand Duchess and Darcie & May Green).

The design of the place takes inspiration from beautiful floating Electa bookshop in Venice, particularly the 40-seater lower deck restaurant, which is veiled in a shimmering sheet of copper. Up top is an outdoor dining space for the summer months, but fear not – there are parasols in case of either rain, or cheese-scorching sun.

the cheese barge

Nic Crilly-Hargrave

The menu is looked after by Head Chef Reagan Ellenbroek, who has created a menu of seasonal dishes centred – of course – around cheese. You can kick things off with a selection of snacks like Quicke’s Cheddar curds, curried and tossed in chilli honey. Then, there are larger dishes like Windrush goats’ curd with lamb scrumpets and pickled walnuts, or Maida Vale served on treacle soda bread with smoked mackerel and green sauce.

And if you’re with friends, The Cheese Barge also serves a number of bigger sharing dishes, including a melted aligot (that’s garlicky, cheesy mashed potato) made with a mix of Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire and a half-kilo of Baron Bigod. Head cheesemonger Sam Wilkin also curates a weekly-changing list of seasonal British cheeses, which you can enjoy paired with perky jams and sauces like green kimchi or chilli dukkah.

the cheese barge

And in case you were wondering to yourself, well that’s all well and good, but will there be cheese for dessert? Happily, yes. You can get yourself a Jersey curd & cider brandy tart with boozy Earl Grey currants and whipped cream.

You will want to touch it with a bargepole.

 

NOTE: The Cheese Barge is open for lunch & dinner, Tues-Sun. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right HERE.

The Cheese Barge | Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London, W2 6HY


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The Cheese Barge


Sheldon Square, Paddington, W2 6HY

07862 001418

8.0 | Great