Ealing Park dinner at the Tavern
The first dinner for a long time when all six of us could make it along. And a great evening it was too. The newly refurbished Ealing Park Tavern (EPT) provided a fantastic venue for a friendly pre-dinner drink and tasty mid-week meal.
Sarah had made a booking (which seems to be needed these days in popular Ealing eateries), and we met beforehand in the bar. Dark-wooden walls, high ceilings and stuffed hunting trophies hanging from the walls. A warm but regal interior. It certainly lived up to its 'lovingly restored old coaching inn and brewery', now 200 years old. The bar was fine, not cheap, but average for London. The restaurant was excellent.
We knew in advance that Monday evening was also quiz night, but we decided to try that another day. We were intrigued by the 'bring your own bottle' option at the restaurant (yes an appendage to the bar/pub). So that we did...a bottle and some dessert wine :) This of course meant that the in-house microbrewery will have to wait to be tested properly on another trip.
The restaurant was a similar interior to the bar, though slightly cosier, and felt a bit like being in the Natural History Museum cafe :) we particularly liked the stuffed puffin on the way to the bathroom. Between us we tried the fish and chips, the burger, and the lamb pie...all were wonderful. Louise even got to save half her pie for lunch the next day as it was so big!
To make sure that we got a good sample of the menu, and to have something to go with our desert wine, we ordered puddings. There seemed to be a bit of confusion in the kitchen and our puddings were delayed coming out, but when they did they didn't disappoint. The chocolate mud-pie was huge and yummy, and the doughnut holes were mini doughnuts served with 'custard' - Abi and Louise agreed that the custard must have really been cream :o)
Having sampled the delights of dinner, Sarah and Pete returned for a Sunday roast, with parents in tow! Sunday lunch is a different affair, noisier and more lively that Monday evening dinner, probably due to the number of children in attendance. Relaxing into the pleasant buzz we explored the lunch menu - a sharing set of roasts mains, making for a twist on the norm. For one person there was beef or pork. For two, there was a whole roast chicken, for three lamb, for four beef and for eight....a sucking pig (to be ordered in advance)! We had two individual beefs and a roast chicken for two. The chicken is a novel idea but when it arrived it was skewered on a bowl with a prong, with a knife poking from it! After much head scratching as to how to carve it...we gave up and asked for an extra plate to do the job. Whilst it was very tasty, it was almost more hassle than it was worth. Really, the waiting staff should carve it for you at the table. Other than the logistical challenge, the portions were hearty and we all left full and happy.
All in all two wonderful meals, really friendly staff, reasonable prices and delicious pub-eats. We all agreed we would go there again!
(Left over doughnuts also made for a good work snack the next day)
Sarah had made a booking (which seems to be needed these days in popular Ealing eateries), and we met beforehand in the bar. Dark-wooden walls, high ceilings and stuffed hunting trophies hanging from the walls. A warm but regal interior. It certainly lived up to its 'lovingly restored old coaching inn and brewery', now 200 years old. The bar was fine, not cheap, but average for London. The restaurant was excellent.
We knew in advance that Monday evening was also quiz night, but we decided to try that another day. We were intrigued by the 'bring your own bottle' option at the restaurant (yes an appendage to the bar/pub). So that we did...a bottle and some dessert wine :) This of course meant that the in-house microbrewery will have to wait to be tested properly on another trip.
The restaurant was a similar interior to the bar, though slightly cosier, and felt a bit like being in the Natural History Museum cafe :) we particularly liked the stuffed puffin on the way to the bathroom. Between us we tried the fish and chips, the burger, and the lamb pie...all were wonderful. Louise even got to save half her pie for lunch the next day as it was so big!
To make sure that we got a good sample of the menu, and to have something to go with our desert wine, we ordered puddings. There seemed to be a bit of confusion in the kitchen and our puddings were delayed coming out, but when they did they didn't disappoint. The chocolate mud-pie was huge and yummy, and the doughnut holes were mini doughnuts served with 'custard' - Abi and Louise agreed that the custard must have really been cream :o)
Having sampled the delights of dinner, Sarah and Pete returned for a Sunday roast, with parents in tow! Sunday lunch is a different affair, noisier and more lively that Monday evening dinner, probably due to the number of children in attendance. Relaxing into the pleasant buzz we explored the lunch menu - a sharing set of roasts mains, making for a twist on the norm. For one person there was beef or pork. For two, there was a whole roast chicken, for three lamb, for four beef and for eight....a sucking pig (to be ordered in advance)! We had two individual beefs and a roast chicken for two. The chicken is a novel idea but when it arrived it was skewered on a bowl with a prong, with a knife poking from it! After much head scratching as to how to carve it...we gave up and asked for an extra plate to do the job. Whilst it was very tasty, it was almost more hassle than it was worth. Really, the waiting staff should carve it for you at the table. Other than the logistical challenge, the portions were hearty and we all left full and happy.
All in all two wonderful meals, really friendly staff, reasonable prices and delicious pub-eats. We all agreed we would go there again!
(Left over doughnuts also made for a good work snack the next day)
| Summary score table /5 | ||
| Food Deliciousness: | 4 | |
| Drinks Tastiness: | 5 (for BYOB) | |
| Service Skills: | 3.5 | |
| Atmospheric Vibes: | 3 | |
| Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve: | 4 | |
| Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing: | 4.5 | |
| Total average score: |
No comments:
Post a Comment