Restaurant and Cocktail bar takes over former Carluccio's site

(Meadow at Ealing Green)

The impact of the pandemic on many workplaces, shops, cafes and restaurants has been catastrophic and the closure of Carluccio's when it happened in Ealing was a huge shock.
However, I'm delighted to report that this significant site in Ealing has just reopened and is a wonderful new and appropriate green addition to this lovely area.

Meadow describes itself as an ''Italian style fusion restaurant and cocktail bar'' and having been invited with a colleague to attend the opening on Saturday, I was pleased to see it already very busy with families, friends, couples on dates, all producing a lovely and lively vibe for the town centre.

On immediate entry you are greeted by the bar with a huge array of drinks which is designed to ensure a most convivial night!
The layout of the restaurant is pretty much as it was but the additional greenery throughout gives a different atmosphere and the huge windows with vistas of Ealing Green and light airy feel helps create a real syncronicity with the area.

Cocktail Bar at Meadow

Inside Meadow

The cocktail menu is huge and varied, and there is something guaranteed to suit all tastes (at the usual cocktail costs). Speaking to Meadow's friendly and welcoming manager, David Kikvadze, we suggested that a ''Happy Hour" would prove popular and yes, it's something that they are hoping to introduce.


Meadow Cocktail

We perused the menu and whilst there is a variety of meat and fish dishes, as a non-meat eater I did feel it was somewhat limited for vegetarians. However, David reassured us that this was early days and there would be more choices introduced in the future.
He explained that they take pride in sourcing sustainably and the food and menu evolves with the seasons. At the heart of the menu is a charcoal grill, custom-built in Dorset, The handmade pastas, (inspired by regional dishes in Italy) are prepared each morning, there are daily deliveries of fish from the South coast and the West Country, shellfish from Scotland, and heritage breed meats.

We chose starters of Broccoli Fritti (tenderstem broccoli in tempura kimichi salt and aoili) (£5.50) with Semolina tacos ( crab carrot and marigold) ( £6 ) and enjoyed both. Beautifully light, creamy yet also managing to be delicate with a very satisfying crunch.

(Tempura Broccoli and crab tacos)

I was unsure as to what to try as the main course and considered the unusual sounding beetroot pasta dish, however I took a chance and was recommended the Cauliflower (£13).
Cauliflower?! How on earth I wondered can you make this vegetable even slightly interesting without just dousing it in cheese sauce?
I took on the manager's challenge though and incredibly, Head Chef, Oliver Pollard, somehow performed a miracle!
Roast cauliflower, romanesco, onion, pickled sultanas and kale - this was a revelation. Totally different from anything I have had and it was cooked to perfection. If you can make cauliflower this exciting I imagine you can work wonders with most things.
My friend was equally delighted with the sirloin steak (£28), cooked medium rare and declared to be ''very good quality.''

  (L- (L- the very interesting cauliflower main and R - Sirloin steak)

We managed to save room for desserts and a delicious finale to an overall lovely meal they were too.
I had the Strawberry Tiramasu ( Annabel’s strawberries, watermelon granita, nettle matcha mousse ) (£7) and mixed it with a sample from my friend's Dark Chocolate Cremeux (£9).

(Strawberry tiramasu and Chocolate Cremaux)

Head Chef Oliver has worked in the Far East and Italy and is excited to be in Ealing he says: ''The idea behind Meadow came from a love of ingredient-led dishes, seasonality and a great appreciation of Italian cooking. I wanted to offer a relaxed, contemporary menu that takes inspiration from Italian dishes, whilst having the freedom to interpret them in my style, and not be too tied down to tradition. I want to cook the food that I love to eat."

Manager David Kikvadze and Chef Oliver Pollard

Overall it was a delicious and very satisfying meal cooked to a high standard in a lovely atmospheric restaurant with service from helpful and friendly staff.

Welcome to ''leafy Ealing'', Meadow!

5-6 The Green
Ealing W5 5DA
https://www.meadowrestaurant.co.uk/
020 8840 2337
Current opening hours:
Monday & Tuesday 5pm-11pm
Wednesday-Sunday 12pm – 11pm

Annemarie Flanagan

 9th August 2021