frogma's Qype profile

Welcoming and excellent value. The most beautifully cooked risotto I've had for ages and a fantastic cured meat antipasti. The only slight disappointment were the deserts but I blame myself for going for a "tourist" choice, I suspect something more authentically Italian would have been as good as the rest.

In addition three courses plus wine and coffee worked out at £25 a head.

Oh the other thing worth noting is the signage does not reflect the ambiance or style of the restaurant. We almost didn't walk in as it makes it look like a Carluccios clone (and who would aspire to that?) but we were glad we did.

Terrible service, arrogant and way below the standard you should expect. This place has always been cramped and slightly unfriendly and they seem to think that the 2010 Time Out award makes them untouchable. I've been eating here since it opened and I'd have given them 4 stars back then but I can honestly say that the staff, but more importantly the pizza are nowhere near as good as they used to be.

It's a shame but there are other places to get great pizza in Ealing that are not so cramped, are no more expensive and have a service level that puts Santa Maria to shame.

OK pub. Nice beer garden. Strange locals.

edit 09/12/09

The reviewer above is correct, the bar has been refurbished. Pleased to report the locals are still strange.

Excelent little pub, one of the best in Ealing. It has a more cosy and dare I say more welcoming atmosphere than the Haven next door. It is the kind of pub where you feel comfortable sitting on your own with a pint and a paper.

For major sporting events there is a projector and a couple of TVs although don't count on any of them being on, even when you really expect they would be. Generally this is sit and socialise more than sit and watch TV.

The alley to the side has tables and heaters for smokers/people who like the cold and rain.

On the down side (and why it only has 4 stars) is that the bar staff can be phenomenally grumpy; almost always looking like they would rather be somewhere else. However I put this down to the fact the bar manager is a total twunt rather than the poor staff who I suspect just can't keep their dislike of their boss hidden from the customers.

Oh, and I should mention the food is excellent. It's pub fare but well above the average standard and reasonably priced.

Well worth looking up.

What a miserable, miserable place this is. It should be celebrated not derided, because with the help of Chandlers it keeps the plebs from the bottom of the gene pool out of the decent pubs in Ealing. I only hope there is some sort of neutering program in place to prevent anyone who goes there breeding.

I pray I don’t have to go there ever again.

Hidden away in a tiny ally at the back of Clerkenwell Green is this great little Belgian bar.

Of the two menus the one with the beer in is the most impressive, far better than you would think possible with the size of the bar but test the staff if you dare; I’ve never managed to find anything out of stock.

The food menu is what you would expect, the mussels are excellent and the other standard fare (sausage and mash, burgers) is above average.

This pub pulls into 4 stars territory though when you compare it with its competition, it knocks Beirodrome and the like for six in almost every category. The only exception being if you are looking for a more lively venue with more space.

The unassuming name and exterior of this restaurant belies the quality and value of the food inside.

The service is fast but would probably be best described as efficient rather than friendly, although I have never felt as if anyone was being rude or unhelpful.

The food is not just limited to noodles of almost every kind, there is also a good range of rice dishes and side dishes. All of the choices are reasonably authentic, but you will have to specify that you would like them hotter than normal if you want it anything like as fiery as you might expect. The prices for a main are from £6 to £8 and a green tea will set you back another £1.

A note of caution though, take cash as they do not accept cards.

Best fishmonger in London, bar none. Amazing quality and friendly, knowledgeable staff.