Tea Darling's?...At the theatre!

The Tea Darlings Vintage Tea Room, makes for an unexpected and delightful afternoon out. This hidden gem, started as a pop-up tea spot last year and now takes its home on the first floor at the Questors Theatre in our very own Ealing. 

I'd spotted the chalk board sign on Mattock Lane "Vintage Tea Rooms 11am-4pm", and it only took a week to finally make a visit. Four of us arrived with prams in tow and spent the rest of the day there drinking tea and eating cake.

Inside the tea rooms

The location at the theatre is spacious and easy to access (lift tried and tested with our prams!). The space has been made to feel really cosy with pretty bunting strewn across the ceiling and a plethora of furnishings and vintage memorabilia.

There is a range of tea and coffee on offer alongside a selection of homemade cakes... including a special offer when you buy tea and cake together. We also sampled the lunch that day which was a hearty pea and watercress soup. The cake selection always also offers a gluten free option and their lunches are vegan too! 

What makes the tea extra special however, is the range of vintage china cups and teapots that it arrives in. If you book in advance a full afternoon tea experience is available - and includes a glass of Prosecco should you wish! We didn't try the full hog on this visit, but have that booked in the diary soon!

The bakewell cake and a nice cup of tea

A peaceful and calming atmosphere was created by some background music (from the mid 1900's of course), and the extremely friendly welcome we received from Pam the host. Pam helped with all our requests and questions and even offered to reheat the tea of one of our breastfeeding crew.

The tea counter with china and cake lined up for the picking

We loved the atmosphere and quirky-ness of Tea Darlings Vintage Tea Room, and can't wait to head back soon - What better excuse to eat cake and be merry!

Summary score table /5
Food Deliciousness:	4
Drinks Tastiness:	4
Service Skills:	5
Atmospheric Vibes:	5
Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve:	N/A
Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing:	5
Total average score:	4.6

The Cricketers on the green...a stone's throw from Ealing

OK this one is a bit of a cheat...we went to Kew!! It's so close though, we thought you might like to hear about it :o)

It was a cold and rainy night, and the cosy pub was warm and inviting (Lou even stood by the open fire for a few minutes upon arrival). The terrace outside, overlooking Kew Green will be a great spot for a Pimms or cool beer in the summer. A typically modern re-furbed pub with shabby chic interior and pretty patterned tiles on the floor, it was nice enough to spend the evening in.

The waitress we well-informed as we inquired about things on the menu. However it was 8pm and about three dishes weren't available from the menu (due to the busy day?). We shared the hot Camembert between the four of us for starters then moved on to devour some burgers, pasta dish and a steak.

The tagliatelle with chorizo and pork was nicely spiced and generous with its meat...it was however a little sweet. The burgers came with huge onion rings and giant good-quality pub chips. It seems to be the trend at the moment to have burgers with additional fillings such as 'pulled pork' or 'mac and cheese' as Pete tried earlier in the year at the North Star...on top of the usual beef burger! Generally good pub food at standard prices for a pub of this type.

We didn't try puddings, but spent the evening chatting away at our private table tucked away in the corner. When we were ready to go we wondered if we had been forgotten, and a quick peek around the corner revealed that the rest of the pub was almost empty. We paid at the bar and left just before close.

In sum, a pretty, warm, good pub eat.

Summary score table /5
Food Deliciousness:	3
Drinks Tastiness:	4
Service Skills:	3.5
Atmospheric Vibes:	4
Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve:	4
Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing:	N/A
Total average score:	3.7

When the Walpole Cafe does dinner!

It was valentines evening in Ealing. So a new local restaurant to try was in order.

We had heard all the rumours from online reviews; from our friends; and even from Marco Pierre White that The Walpole Cafe was the place to try. It was said to transform from the specialist provider of the full English breakfast into Friday and Saturday nights 'best restaurant in Ealing'. I called ahead to book a spot for Alex and I to sample their famous dinner. Two sittings were available  - 6pm and 9pm, so we went for the earlier option; as it seemed most others also had (we watched them re-lay tables when we left at 8:30pm).

Having walked past many times, I had always been intrigued by the greasy-spoon-looking façade, with its interior hidden behind the red and white checked curtains hanging in the lower half of the window. When we arrived for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm décor, nicely laid tables with candles and retro tin-plated adverts hung on the walls. We were greeted at our table by the chef's lovely wife - certainly proving a welcoming family feel to the night.

 

I had heard that the menu was small, but there seemed to be more than enough for us to choose from. We also realised that we have never noticed a menu to be too small in any restaurant, and perhaps it this was an indication of our non-fussy/greedy eating habits. It was hard to choose. 

As usual we made sure we ordered different dishes and ate off of one another's plates (or did a few plate-swaps across the table) for the rest of the evening. The evening offer included two-courses for £19.95 or three for £24.95 (we didn't decide in advance - but headed straight for the starters).

Starters were ginormous! between us we had the treacle-cured-salmon on a bed of beetroot, ginger and apple relish and the spicy soup complete with the largest sausage-roll slice we've ever seen. The soup and sausage-roll won on deliciousness here, and the chunky salmon was unfortunately overpowered in flavour from its punchy relish - which would have been better served in about 1/20th of the quantity (the table beside us also had to leave some of their relish untouched).

There was a good selection of wine, and we had a nice bottle of red to join our meal - since we both ordered meaty mains. And meat we did get! We certainly had eyes larger than our stomachs, or at least we had plate-fulls of food five times the size of our stomachs. Alex could sadly only make it through about half of his steak, even with a little help from me. My duck leg complete with sausage and red cabbage did a little better, though also not completable.

We ate far too much and conceded our predictability to the research experiment which proves that you eat 36% more if you can see a bottomless source of food in front of you compared to when you are blindfolded! 

A steak measuring one-hand please! And 2 inches thick!

Of course there is always room for a little sweet thing...and hot tea, after a big meal. We shared the sienna cake and truffles which were yum (and half came home for Sunday afternoon tea the next day). From the friendly waiter we learned that sienna cake is an Itallian, dense, spicy and nutty cake that sets quickly in the cold of winter. Italy's answer to nougat we decided.

Overall it was a great experience to dine at the Walpole, not the cheapest of eats, but very friendly, fun, and tasty. We will go again but make sure that we go prepared for the portions of a lifetime!

Summary score table /5
Food Deliciousness:	3.5
Drinks Tastiness:	4
Service Skills:	5
Atmospheric Vibes:	4
Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve:	3.5
Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing:	4
Total average score:	4

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)

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:	4

Sunday Late Luncheon at The Grange

It had been a DIY-filled day at the house - and a late Sunday pub lunch was required. Remembering that Mark had once recommended the carvery at The Kings Arms we called to see if they were still serving lunch at nearly 5pm. Despite claiming to be "Ealing's best kept secret" The Kings Arms told us that they had been very popular today and nearly run out of food!

Having a rethink The Grange came to mind, since we spotted it late last year when we visited Charlotte's Place for my birthday (which was really quaint and a nice dining experience - I liked that we got to ring a door bell to get in :o). The Grange serves food until 9pm on a Sunday, and although they had run out of beef today, their Sunday roasts were still a go!

We walked over in the cold and got given a nice (and warm) table by the window. Staff were friendly - although we only scored them a 3/5 in the score table below since they were a little slow - order-time-to-table for food however, was swift.


We went for the roasts - one chicken and one pork - complete (according to menu) with bread sauce on the chicken and apple sauce on the pork...however disappointingly the apple sauce was barely there on Alex's pork :o( Other than that, a tasty set of roast dinners with seasonal veg, an amazingly huge Yorkshire pudding...and no washing up :o) (yes we paid our bill in full - which was reasonable; a little more expensive than your average pub, but probably to be expected since my seat was upholstered in wool).

We also indulged in some puddings...the sticky toffee (delicious) and the apple crumble (unusual). They were both massive! Alex's apple crumble seemed to be made of the apple sauce that didn't appear on his pork - apple sauce with a sprinkling of granola - not baked in the bowl it was served in. Despite the complaining...Alex ate ALL of it:

Whilst we sat an enjoyed the atmosphere - busy but not too busy, and some people chatting by an open fire (nice touch) - we also got a history lesson about our local area. The framed photos and posters above us included details of Ealing's old horse racing events, a photo of the 7-times winner of Wimbledon in the 1900's Dorethea Lambert Chambers (from Ealing!!), and this little pouch being sprayed with perfume at the Ealing and District Canine Society dog show:

All-in-all a good evening out and a nice pub "finished to a high standard" (as the Ealing estate agents may say).

Over and out...until tomorrow when all six of us have a table booked at the newly refurbed EPT...watch this space!

Lou and Alex

Summary score table /5
Food Deliciousness:	4
Drinks Tastiness:	3
Service Skills:	3
Atmospheric Vibes:	4.5
Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve:	4
Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing:	5
Total average score:	3.9

North Star shining bright...where shall we all eat

tonight?

Mark, Pete, Sarah and Lou outside the North Star!

After an evening of first-world mishaps (think cancelled yoga, and collected packages not fitting into cars), we thought it might be nice to relax over some dinner. Having failed to get into our first choice (another mishap!) we ended up at the newly revamped North Star pub on the Broadway.

The menu choice is mainly focused on burgers...with a twist. There is a good selection of toppings, pre-selected in the named burger section, or build-your-own. Served in little baskets, american diner style, the burgers were made from ground beef and plenty sizable! The brioche buns were sweet and delicious and the fillings were deep. We didn't get to try the puddings as we were too full, but they offered a small but appealing selection of american classics, think brownies and sundaes.

Sarah's halloumi chorizo burger was dense, incompressible in fact. It could have been a bit juicier and softer, but it was tasty. We all agreed that it is quite normal to eat a burger with your hands...but luckily these were served with a knife and fork - much needed for these huuuuge filled buns! (side note: the baskets were a little flimsy for the normal metal cutlery...oops). Pete's burger was pretty fun and full too, it had mac and cheese in it! (macaroni cheese in English).

Lou approved of the tasty fries - crisp and hand-cut!

The decor is pretty cool, a nice twist of the standard 'industrial' look that is everywhere these days, and we liked it. There are pretty stars on the walls...quite apt for the name, The outdoor garden has American diner furniture in it, and although it was far too cold to sample, it seemed to keep the smokers happy and looked like a nice spot for the summer.

Mark had to open wide - but liked his burger too!

We sat on bar stalls at a high rustic wooden table in the centre of the pub bustle. It was surprisingly busy for a Thursday night in January - these were in fact the last seats we could find!




Overall a nice relaxed, buzzy atmosphere to the pub. Super central location! We'd recommend it for a  chilled mid-week drink or eat!

Love from
Sarah, Lou, Mark and Pete

Summary score table /5
Food Deliciousness:	3
Drinks Tastiness:	3
Service Skills:	3
Atmospheric Vibes:	4
Recommendation Score for a Casual Eve:	4
Recommendation Score for Showing off Ealing:	3
Total average score:	3.33