Forum Topic

Little gem in Ealing

If you came across these words, would you think it a list of the Polish World Cup football team?:-Kopytka, Zurek, Bigos, Pierogi, Golabki, Golonka and Bliny.You'd be forgiven. It looks like a team list, but it ain't! They are menu items of a real little gem of a Polish restaurant(cafe) in Ealing. Its called Cafe Grove at 65 The Grove, Ealing  W5(near Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre).Had a meal in there and it was delightful - plus a bottle of house wine(only £11 for a cool Chileam plonk). The cafe/rest has been in The Grove for at least 15 years and is by far an unsung nosherie of the best tasting Polish food around - well worth a visit folks.

Gerry Tan ● 4759d16 Comments

Re  Won't find Lamb on a Polish menu, No idea why.              xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I have just asked my Polish friend if there are lambs in Poland to which the answer  is  yes. So what happens to them, used for wool, and the meat I asked?. Presumably exported was the answer, we do not eat/like lamb meat, don't know why but we don't. So there is no real explanation why lamb does not appear on the Polish tables apart from tradition.

Tony Price ● 4758d

Yummie yummie! All good stuff.Yes, wonder why lamb doesn't seem to feature on Polish menus?

Gerry Tan ● 4758d

Re  'air of graciousness' about them            xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  quite agree, the elderly Polish ladies I know/have known always take great care with their appearance, including  use of make-up. One dear old soul in her mid 90's still takes great pride in her appearance, and with special attention to facial " enhancement". From what I am told by my Polish friends, their home country is  less " modern " than the UK in many ways, and which I would find appealing.

Tony Price ● 4758d

Pork is used a lot in Polish food and the vast array of cooked meats, some of which are so moreish, I've eaten the lot before it's got to the fridge!Won't find Lamb on a Polish menu, No idea why.Smoked Mackerel and Pickled Herrings,  and the Christmas speciality ...Carp.Sounds awful but prior to the fens being drained, Carp was the traditional British Xmas dish as well before the Turkey became a farmed breed.Poppy seed cake is really popular and Polish cheesecakes, Loads of regional variations from dry to wet but like many cakes. Heart attack on a plate but superlative.

Michael Brandt ● 4758d

Sounds good! I will be trying it out soon as I get a chance.

Marie Shelny ● 4758d

Gerry most Polish dishes use pork as do "gołąbki". I was brought up on Polish food as my parents were Polish.

Tom Maramaros ● 4758d

MarieBorscht is a beetroot based soup and wonderfully tasty.One of the traditional 'stuffings' for pierogi is cabbage and spices. Another is potatoes and spices. It's hearty food, heavy on the carbs but agood choice if you are vegetarian.

Nigel Brooks ● 4758d

Marie, I too don't know much about Polish cuisine. What we've had has been hearty, delicious and basic. Yes, they use a lotta meat, but the proprietor seems a pleasant chap and I'm sure he'll rustle-up quite a few all-veg dishes - they use a lot of beetroot, cabbage, potatoes and interesting salads - just ask him and I'm sure he'll provide. They do some super soups - some of 'em all-veg. Do try Cafe Grove - its reasnable in price too!PS:  I'm not in any way connected to the owners. Just a happy punter.

Gerry Tan ● 4758d

I think Polish food is one of the only foods I have never tried. Partly because i know so little about it so. And I've never heard recomendations about a polish restaurant, til now. I dont eat meat, do they have alot of non meat dishes?

Marie Shelny ● 4758d

Michael, I love Polish food - its hearty and basic and tasty. Love their soups - adore zurec.

Gerry Tan ● 4758d

Thanks Tom.  What meat is usually used please?

Gerry Tan ● 4758d

Polish food can be really nice, Super winter food but always well balance.Bigos has to be the perfect football match food, I;m amazed no-one sells it at matches as it's perfect as a hearty nutricious fast food

Michael Brandt ● 4758d

"Gołąbki" are similar to "dolmades" but you use cabbage laeves rolled and filled with rice and mince meat.They are served in tomato sauce or sometimes in mushroom sauce.

Tom Maramaros ● 4759d

Great place and a wonderful venue for people watching especially the older members of the Polish community who have an 'air of graciousness' about them.My friend -the caretaker at Christ the Saviour CE Primary - regularly displays his landscape and portraiture photos there.

Nigel Brooks ● 4759d

Simon, I fling these Polish words around as if I'm familiar with them...when if truth be told, I don't kown what I'm talking about. Remind me please, what does "golabki" consist of?

Gerry Tan ● 4759d

It's local to me & I've eaten there a few times. The golabki is great on a cold day!They also have interesting art & photographic exhibitions

Simon Bell ● 4759d