On 20 May, Mathew Carver, founder of Pick & Cheese and The Cheese Bar, will finally launch his new restaurant, The Cheese Barge, a double-decker vessel permanently moored on the Grand Union Canal at Paddington Central.
Originally scheduled to open this spring, the barge has spent the last year self-isolating in Somerset, and is now ready to lead the charge in The Cheese Bar’s mission to champion British cheese.
Drawing on Carver’s passion for excellent craftsmanship and his continuing support for British trades, The Cheese Barge has been built by master boatbuilders.
Designed by Adam Richards Architects, the vessel’s design takes cues from the Electa bookstore in Venice – itself inspired by ship design – with a beautiful copper ‘veil’ acting as an awning for the 40 cover lower deck dining room.
A 20 cover open-air upper deck also provides the perfect spot for those looking to dine alfresco on those warm spring evenings.
Head Chef Reagan Ellenbroek has been working with Exec Chef Ross Keeling to create a refined menu of honest British dishes using small producer cheese including: Windrush Goats’ Curd with lamb scrumpets and pickled walnuts and Cropwell Bishop Stilton ‘Devils on Horseback’ - prunes stuffed with Stilton and wrapped in bacon.
For guests looking to feast, sharing plates will include Aligot, made with Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire, served with fennel and red wine sausages and braised red cabbage and a half-kilo Baron Bigod, made especially by Fen Farm Dairy for the Barge, and served baked to order. The team have also devised the perfect sharing snack, in the form of fried Quicke’s Cheddar curds, curried and tossed in chilli honey.
Head cheesemonger, Sam Wilkin, will also be curating a rotating list of seasonal British cheeses served with individual pairings including Spenwood with quince and almond fruit cheese; Winslade with chilli dukkah and St Andrews Cheddar with green kimchi.
Carver said, “It feels great to finally launch The Cheese Barge! It was heart-breaking to down tools and not get to open our doors last year. However our excitement for this project has never waned, and myself and the team couldn’t be more excited to share this INCREDIBLE vessel with everyone. British cheese on a boat, what’s not to love?”
The Cheese Barge's opening hours are Monday – Saturday 12pm – 11pm, Sundays 12pm – 8pm.
