Let's grab a bite to eat

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Reviews of cafes serving a quick lunch - The Dining Room and Oscars

The Dining Room, West Ealing

If you've visited the Ealing Farmers' Market, you may have noticed this tiny cafe on Leeland Road, near Barclays bank, with its neighbouring sandwich bar.  They cater for the daytime trade in busy West Ealing, with a good choice of fillings for ciabattas and sandwiches, home-made soup and bought-in cakes. Going down particularly well on a weekday lunchtime were the traditional English breakfasts, nicely presented and not drowning in fat. The man serving was friendly, pleasant and efficient, in spite of being short-handed that day. A simple ciabatta with no frills cost around £2.80 and cappuccino was a reasonable £1.40.

When I say tiny, it really was tiny, with maybe five little round tables seating 2 people. I was well entertained; less than a couple of feet away on one side a professional couple were brewing up a domestic argument, which they frustratingly held in such low voices that only half of it was audible, and on the other side an elderly lady befriended a younger person sharing her table. I'm sure children would be as welcome as everyone else seems to be, but you'd be struggling to fit a buggy in. There's nothing especially pretty or pretentious about this simple cafe, but it hits the mark.

Oscars, St Mary's Road, South Ealing

Update: since the review below was published in the autumn, the cafe has changed owners.

This gleaming cafe nestles in almost invisibly beside the Castle Inn and slap bang opposite Thames Valley University, so it's no surprise that its clientele include students of various ages and lecturers, as well as the odd passing worker. It offers a limited selection of made-to-order sandwiches, decent bagels and a few bought-in cakes and biscuits, a good choice of drinks and special deals for students. In spite of its industrial-style steel floor, its warm orange walls and chrome make it comfortable enough, and there is plenty of elbow room. A good cappuccino costs £1.45, and a filling bagel, large piece of carrot cake and coffee set me back around £6.00. There are papers to read and on these autumnal days it's very warm inside. Worth a visit if it's something quick and simple you're after.

 

January 18, 2006