This November, Chiswick’s The Harlot (formerly Carvosso) will open under chef Henry Harris’ direction.
The Harlot is the fourth site from Harcourt Inns, a collection of pubs with dining rooms established by Henry together with business partner, James McCulloch, following Three Cranes in the City (2017), The Coach in Clerkenwell (January 2018) and The Hero of Maida in Maida Vale (May 2018).
The Harlot fulfills the group’s ambition of conserving noteworthy properties and opening a spot for locals to enjoy good food in welcoming surrounds. The project is especially poignant for Henry too, having lived up the road in Acton for the past 21 years, he’d always envisioned somewhere in his own neighbourhood.
Under the expert guidance of chef-director Henry Harris (Racine), in conjunction with a yet to be announced Head Chef, daily changing menus will run from breakfast through to dinner, seven days a week. Dishes will be Mediterranean leaning, with Sicilian inflections and will showcase the best of simple, quality ingredients, such as olive oil and tomatoes.
The majority of produce will also be sourced locally from small family-run or independent suppliers. For instance, the butcher H.G. Walter, is a stone’s throw away in Barons Court and the vegetables will come directly from the family run stall next door.
Sunday Roasts are to be standout, with Henry displaying his competence at combining his signature French bourgeois style of cooking, with the best of British culinary practices. Most mains will be priced between £14-20. Front of House will be overseen by Ruth Leigh (Le Café Anglais, Dock Kitchen) who grew up locally.
A comprehensive drinks selection, including beers that champion local breweries, such as London Pride and Portobello Brewery, will sit alongside a carefully curated list of wines, grower Champagnes and French spirits, such as Cognac, Armagnac and Brandy. The Harlot will also serve classic cocktails.
The seventeenth century building, which covers a total area of almost 6,000 sq feet, was once a police station and stables and has as capacity for 100-120 covers (including private dining room). Paying tribute to the painter Hogarth and his pivotal presence in the area, the name for the site has been taken from his renowned painting series, ‘The Harlot’s Progress.’
Through a double fronted entrance guests will step into the open, U-shaped ground floor space, where a large brass bar will wrap around the right-hand side, with high stools and poser tables dotted around. To the left, large windows will wrap around the corner site and lower tables are to be available for a casual bite to eat. Beyond this section, floor to ceiling windows will flood the dining space with light.
Interior designer Liana Goatman (Museum of Everything) has been working on the project to create a fluid and inviting space, where inside and outside are seamlessly combined. Through double French doors the dining space will look out onto the courtyard, which is being designed by Wheelers garden landscapers located on Turnham Green Terrace. There will also be canopy roof that retracts in summer months, further enhancing natural elements and making it accessible all year round.
An organic feel is to be further accentuated with the replication inside of the exact same brick wall, as that in the courtyard. There will also be a visible old wine cellar and two private dining rooms, which open onto the main spaces.