Forum Topic

Italian restaurants in Acton?

Hello, everyone. I've just moved to the area, and wondered if there are any decent Italian restaurants within walking distance. I would be very grateful for any suggestions. I'm hoping for something slightly better than just a pizzeria.

Alfred Price ● 5360d32 Comments

ummm...nope.don't know of any in walking distance

Sara Nathan ● 5360d

The Station house!

Colin Carroll ● 5360d

Thanks, Sara and Colin. I'll go and have a look at The Station House, although I understand it's basically a pub, and I was hoping to find an Italian trattoria-type place.I've read about the new French restaurant opening tonight, and some interesting-sounding Indian, Thai and Chinese places, but can anyone recommend any other European-style eateries, even if they are a little further from central Acton?

Alfred Price ● 5360d

If "European style" includes contemporary British then the Rocket is great - quite a mediterranean influence and also quite British and really good....plus a nice atmosphere.There's upmarket French in Chiswick with the superlative La Trompette (try the relatively inexpensive early dinner offer before 1930 if you dont want to break the bank)Some like Le Vacherin - end of Acton Lane - though I am not keen based only on one experience some time ago. Plus the usual Italian chains in Chiswick from Carluccio's on. And there are probably more that I don't know about there.

Sara Nathan ● 5360d

Many thanks for the advice, Sara. I'll definitely try The Rocket soon - do I need to book?Also, I knew about La Trompette, of course, but not about their early dinner deal. And I've seen Le Vacherin, but not heard much about it.I'll try to post my local culinary experiences on this forum, if any one would be interested! I certainly love hearing about other people's experiences.

Alfred Price ● 5360d

There is an Italian, Dante, in Ealing Common on Uxbridge Road on the right before you get to Ealing Common tube (if travelling from Acton) it's a good local family run restaurant.Pizza on the Green at Haven Green in Ealing Broadway - does more than just pizza.

Jen Morty ● 5360d

I would probably be more inclined to go to Pizza on the Green.  Happy eating.

Jen Morty ● 5360d

Many thanks for both recommendations, Jen. I shall actually probably try Dante first, because POG is a little too far to walk!

Alfred Price ● 5360d

Generally not unless you are going for 2000 on a Saturday night - even then you can have the same food but in the bar area rather than the restaurant.Personally, I'd love a restaurant thread with your - and other people's gastronmic explorations and discoveries.

Sara Nathan ● 5360d

If you're looking for other Med restaurants I'd suggest The Lantern Taverna on Uxbridge Road. Family run Greek with lots of Greek patrons so bar the sometimes cheesy entertainment must be good.

Karim Ladak ● 5360d

Great, thanks, Sara. I look forward to comparing our eating-out experiences!Anyone on here planning to go to the new French one tonight?

Alfred Price ● 5360d

Thanks for the suggestion, Karim. I rarely go to Greek restaurants, but it looks like I would pass it en route to Dante, so I'll have a look.The worst thing for me would be loud, repeated Greek music - that would really do my head in!!

Alfred Price ● 5360d

So plate smashing is OK then? LOL!

Karim Ladak ● 5360d

I've never been to a restaurant where they did actually smash the plates. Surely that's an urban myth?But, yes, I think I would find it preferable to Greek "live entertainment." I've been to masses of places over the years where a perfectly good meal was ruined by some one starting to play guitar and sing loudly in an imcomprehensible language.(Although I have occasionally tried to improve the situation by pretending to my dining partner that I understand the language, and can provide a translation of the lyrics. They are usually about extremely unhappy relationships, or occasionally unrequited love for a sheep.)

Alfred Price ● 5360d

Just driven past the little French restaurant which looked open and not too Caff-like.early reports much welcomed...

Sara Nathan ● 5359d

Have only been to the Rocket twice. Both times (18 months apart) the food was poor. Maybe it would be third time lucky, but will probably just stick with the Station House, which has always been good every time.

Paul Grady ● 5359d

There used to be a Greek restaurant in North London where you could buy plates for ritual smashing.Sara, I thought the frontage was more caff-like, what with the big picture window which is not so common in yer posh eatery.

Susan Kelly ● 5359d

Sorento just by North Ealing tube station is a short walk from West Acton. Small, very cosy - used to be a corner shop. We've had some lovely meals there. 5, Boileau Parade, London , W5 3AQ Tel: 020 8991 9900

Guy Fiegehen ● 5359d

Not posh - agreed - but the chairs, from what I could see, were not Caff-like.Anyhow we should be getting first reports any time soon.

Sara Nathan ● 5359d

Santa Maria's on Ealing Green opposite the studio is the best small pizzeria. Small menu, top notch food and pizza bricks the owner brought over from Sicily.Franco Manca's is the same kind of place, small menu, great pizza. Originated in Brixton market (my Italian friend introduced me), then expanded to ChiswickTarantella is also in Chiswick. More Italian bistro type food, less pizza. Been once, was very nice.Dante's in Ealing Common I went to once or twice when I lived nearer. I do remember it had a nice atmosphere and good food. Locally I would recommend the pizza and tapas from The Station House. Take some friends, order it all off the tapas menu. We did, great idea! L'Oriental is Lebanese, the food is like you just made a Lebanese friend and their mum cooked for you. This is about as big a compliment as can be given.Also Estoril's, best and cheapest coffee in Acton also do a thing on Sat/Sun evenings where they cook one main special and you can take it or leave it. Portuguese owners. Say no more.

Guy Campbell ● 5358d

Hi, there's an Italian next to Park Royal station on the A40 just past Lookers Land Rover and the cinema complex(around the corner on the parade of shops that the station is on). The owner does magic tricks at the table. The food is nice and always busy.Personally, I'd try the Station House. Raf and his team of chefs are all Italian – I’m sure they could pull something together for you that wasn't on the menu, although the menu is a fusion of Mediterranean (including Italian).Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 5358d

...so Alfred if someone decided to open an Italian Restaurant in the Churchfield Road what would a menu look like?

Dee Cook ● 5358d

Another vote for Dantes in Ealing Common.  We were surprised by the nice atmosphere.  Food good and reasonably priced.Also, we love La Trompete in Chiswick, but more for special occassions.  Can be difficult to get a reservation, but certainly worth it.  More expensive but a lovely experience.

Kim Bobsin ● 5358d

Thank you all so much for your advice. I'm really glad I joined this forum now!Particularly useful to discover that all the chefs at the Station House are Italian, and I'll potter over to Dante one evening when it isn't raining or too cold.Dee - the sort of Italian dishes I love are really thin carpaccio as a starter, or linguine alle vongole (clams), an interesting ravioli, or even a really good spaghetti/tagliatelle carbonara.Then either a classic scallopini milanese, or a fish such as branzino (sea bass). A sort of calm and friendly Italian atmosphere helps too!Thanks again,Alf

Alfred Price ● 5358d

Alfredas mentioned all the chefs in the station house, so is the co-owner. Susie yacks on for hours to them in Italian.All from Bari in Puglia one of the great food-regions in Italy. Their food is authentic italian; handmade Pizza and some regional specialities, they import Burata and Scamorza (Puglian Cheeses), hams and salami and even bring their own Lemons to make Limoncello (which they won't sell you).The seafood and steaks are also brilliant but being on the wrong-ish side of my cholesterol count I can't vouch for that :(We have friends from the region who regularly come and rave about the food ... and the conversation naturally

Jeremy Thorpe-Woods ● 5357d

Jeremy - Many thanks, that's very interesting. I guess I shouldn't judge a book (The Station House) by its cover.What a pity they won't sell their limoncello!Ciao!Alf

Alfred Price ● 5357d

......they should...... suggest it to them.  A revised menu with the items you mention in your earlier email Alf -would be great.  A simple carbonara/bolognese well cooked/prepared and at a good price please.

Dee Cook ● 5357d

"the sort of Italian dishes I love are really thin carpaccio as a starter, or linguine alle vongole (clams), an interesting ravioli, or even a really good spaghetti/tagliatelle carbonara."Then jump on an E3 and come to Chiswick.  Canta Napoli in Devonshire Road, just off Chiswick High Road, serves some really good Italian food and wines.  The menu is currently at http://www.cantanapoli.co.uk/menus/WEB_CN_01_MenuA3_PRO1.pdfNearest bus stop: Chardin Road, the one after Turnham Green station.

Richard Jennings ● 5356d

They will happily cook you a carbonara if you ask, and they do a 'bolgnaise' but being Italians (and Southern Italians) they call it Ragu, and they make it with Venison rather than beef.

Jeremy Thorpe-Woods ● 5356d

Thanks, Richard, that looks like a great suggestion, and I am particularly grateful for the directions!I know that Chiswick, not to mention London as a whole, has some of the best Italian restaurants in the world. I just wanted one I could walk to and from within Acton.Now, thanks to others on this forum, I am aware of several options within a 15-20 minute walk. Sounds like I could get to Canta Napoli quite quickly on a bus too, so thanks again.

Alfred Price ● 5356d

Actually you can walk it in under half an hour - or bike in about 8 minutes. I do both. It's really not far and rules out parking problems

Sara Nathan ● 5356d

I'm afraid I'm the sort of person who probably shouldn't cycle after I've been to restaurant, unless I was on a downhill slalom course!

Alfred Price ● 5356d