The Blurb
Meadow is a beguilingly stylish Ealing eatery, with a strong focus on contemporary European cuisine, using the best of seasonal British produce. With an emphasis on sustainable, seasonal ingredients, Meadow boasts the use of a custom-built charcoal grill and handmade pasta at the heart of its menu. Their fish is delivered daily from the South Coast, live shellfish travels from Scotland and heritage breed meats are cooked over the smoky embers of the grill. Tying this deliciousness together is an excellent list of cocktails and a fine selection of wines, meaning there’s no need to journey far afield to get a taste of bella Italia!
The Style
Meadow is an oasis of (admittedly mostly artificial) hanging green foliage, leather seating, crittal mirrors and moody lighting. Large ceiling windows allow light to flood in during the day for a sunny lunchtime feel, and an exotic colour palette feels both welcoming and luxurious as the lights are turned down low. It’s a stylish setting for a first date but still relaxed enough for drinks with friends.
The Crowd
Even on a Thursday night, Meadow was absolutely bustling! Many of the diners seemed like regulars, and (apart from families with young children) there was everything from friends catching up over cocktails and dating couples, to parents with adult children. The atmosphere was relaxed rather than rowdy, despite the number of tables full on the evening we visited.
The Food
For those who like their Italian food, the menu at Meadow will tick plenty of boxes! Handmade pastas (with the beef shin and bone marrow pappardelle a particular highlight), aromatic focaccias, Frito Misto (a meltingly lovely dish served with crab mayo, that almost had us dancing with delight) and bright summery salads are all on offer, as well as Italian twists on more traditionally English fare. There is an excellent selection of steaks and other hearty offerings for those who like their meat (which I do); I couldn’t get enough of the taleggio & salami croquettes with wild mushroom aioli, as well as fresh fish for those in the market for something lighter.
Whilst mostly lip-smacking, there were a few small disappointments (the rare breed carpaccio was curiously lacking in flavour aside from some hefty flakes of salt and my wild boar in chianti, was sadly turning dry despite an excellent sauce). However, the desserts – most notably a zingy Amalfi lemon tart, and a simply divine chocolate cremeux with hazelnut and salted caramel gelato – are certainly worth saving room for!
The Drink
There is a generous and wonderful cocktail menu at Meadow, and worth making the trip for alone! Classic cocktails are all priced at £10, with signatures costing only slightly more at £12.50 (and a whole subset of signature old fashioned in the same price bracket). I couldn’t get enough of their ‘Clover Club’ (a delicious silky blend of gin, lemon, raspberry syrup and egg white), and of course, the namesake ‘Meadow’ needed to be tasted (a refreshing, moreish mix of vodka, italicus, tarragon cordial, lemon bitters and bergamot foam). The excellent wine list is helpfully divided into tasting brackets – aromatic/crisp/smooth – for those who (like me) know little about their favoured grapes, so there really will be something for every pallet.
In a Nutshell
An effortlessly stylish, but relaxed dining experience, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, a moreish menu and outstanding drinks to boot! Bringing some Italian-flavoured sunshine into the wintery Ealing evenings.
www.meadowrestaurant.co.uk
5-6 The Green, London, W5 5DA
Tel: 020 8840 2337
Monday & Tuesday – CLOSED
Wed-Sunday 12pm-11pm
