Café Grove, Ealing, London

I have been going to Cafe Grove on a monthly basis for the last two years. I was introduced to iafter I became a member of the Ealing Cycling Campaign; the local branch of London Cycling Campaign that meets here on the 1st Wed of each month.

It might lack atmosphere but this is more than made up for by the fact that the food is delicious - always -, the service is warm and friendly and the prices fall most definitely in the category of value-for-money. Portions are big.

They quite capapbly managed to cope with 35 people in my party last night.

To be recommended.

It pains me to write something negative, but boy oh boy, were we disappointed!

The fella and I turned up early evening with high hopes and a rumble in the belly – eager to share in the delights of this “hidden gem of Ealing”.

Perhaps if my grasp of the Polish language extended further than “tak” or “kielbasa” (as taught to me by my Polish friends) could I have salvaged the evening, as it seemed our waitress unfortunately had a comparable grasp of the English language.

Ordering our meal was tricky to say the least, but with patience, good humour and the benefit of a descriptive menu, we got there in the end. Then came the wait for food – not unexpectedly though, as some rather complimentary online reviews warned that this would be the case, and we ordered a couple of cocktails to while away the time.

My Long Island Ice Tea was free poured into a tumbler with only a hint of cola to soften the blow. Now, back in my student years, this would have been a plus point – nowadays I prefer my cocktails a little easier on the liver.

Then our meal arrived. Eager to sample some proper Polish fare, my fella and I decided to share. The mixed Pierogis with salad and sauerkraut were nice, but certainly not of the proportions alluded to in the reviews…and then the saddest moment…Our cheese fondue for two was positively Cheese of GLUE. Heaven knows what went into it – all I could taste was a horribly acrid alcohol flavour (some form of vodka?) in a blobby mess clinging resolutely to the sides of a cold bowl…Fondue’s generally work better when kept warm over a flame – ours died a slow death some time before making it to the table…and never quite made it into our bellies.

The upshot was that we paid for a meal that left us feeling hungry and cheated. The service was uninspired and the atmosphere lacklustre. No amount of artwork on the walls could salvage the experience. Go here if you speak the lingo and miss mom’s home-cooking.

It’s cheap, but then so is my local Polski Sklep.

Café Grove is a real treat. It’s great, home-cooked, Polish food. Portions are big, and the style is authentic. Breaded, spiced minced chicken. Perogis. Blini with goulash. Borscht. Cheese fondue. More types of pork than you could want. All with tasty potatoes, sauerkraut and dill.

They serve breakfast, too, if you want a cheap fry-up.

There are several Polish beers, all manner of spirits, a few wines, and even a cocktail menu on offer. They’ve got several brands of vodka.

It’s a small but cozy place. About five tables for two and two tales for four. There’s a photo exhibit currently on the walls. Service is very friendly, and they’re happy to explain what the Polish dishes are. The food is very cheap for what you get: most main dishes are £8 or less, and you probably won’t be able to finish them. Seriously, this is not “light” eating in any sense of the word.

If you need your eastern European meat-and-potatoes fix, you will not get it any better and cheaper than here at Café Grove.