The River Cafe (London)


The River Café is a restaurant in the London [Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham|Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham], London, specialising in Italian cuisine. It was owned and run by chefs Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray until Gray's death in 2010; since then, Rogers has been the sole owner and has run the restaurant.

Location

The restaurant is located on the north bank of the Thames in Hammersmith, in the former Duckhams oil storage facility; the nearest railway station being Hammersmith [tube station |Hammersmith tube station]. The facility was modified to alternative use by architect Lord Rogers, the husband of Ruth Rogers. The restaurant originally opened in 1987 as the employee café of the architectural partnership. The restaurant has a garden area with views of the River Thames.

History

The restaurants signature dishes include wild mushroom risotto, Dover sole, and John Dory smoked in the restaurant's own wood stove; as well as rich Italian desserts including lemon almond cake and the chocolate "Nemesis" cake.
The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 1997.
The River Café is also notable for the number of successful chefs that have trained in its kitchens. These include Theo Randall, Ed Baines of Randall & Aubin, April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig in New York, and celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ben O'Donoghue and Tobie Puttock.

Cookery books and recognition

Rogers and Gray have written six cookbooks, including Italian Easy and The London River Café Cook Book. Their first book, Italian Country Cookbook won the Glenfiddich [Food and Drink Awards|Glenfiddich Award] for Food Book of the Year and the BCA Illustrated Book of the Year award. They have since presented a 12-part series for Channel 4, The Italian Kitchen.
The River Cafe Cookbook, originally published in 1995, has been described as "iconic" for its photography.
Rogers and Gray each were named in the 2010 Orders, decorations, and medals of [the United Kingdom|New Year's Honours List] as Members of the British Empire with the citation "for services to the Hospitality Industry".
On 28 February 2010, Gray died of cancer, aged 71.