Harrison’s restaurant in Balham is co-owned by Sam Harrison, Rebecca Mascarenhas and Rick Stein. Harrison is the main man behind the menus with Rick acting in a ‘godfatherly way’ to help him oversee things. He also pops in now and then to promote a book and his recipes feature on the menu from time to time.
The restaurant has a laid back but stylish vibe with good food at reasonable prices, particularly on the early bird menu. The layout of the restaurant is very spacious and open with a big metallic square bar in the centre. The furnishing is contemporary and cool.
The dishes aren’t exactly groundbreaking but that’s not necessarily a bad thing and they are very good quality. We had roast butternut squash risotto, pork steak with a tasty bubble and squeak and a salmon superfood salad which looked a little bit too healthy for my taste!
They also have their “Downstairs Bar” (they put it in quotations; we weren’t sure why) which is really what it says on the tin – a bar, downstairs. Unfortunately there isn’t a lift downstairs but there is another bar area near the entrance should you desire an aperitif or a nightcap.
Other than the basement, the access is good. The entrance is completely flat with wide patio doors and there are no steps inside. The only exception is one seating area which is up about five stairs but it’s really not essential, in any way, to sit there. They have a disabled accessible toilet on the ground floor too.
We give Harrison’s 2.5 BBS Ticks. Good access and a solidly enjoyable restaurant.
