Forum Topic

Dirty restaurants in Ealing

http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&page=eamolana001.htmWe see yet again another dirty restaurant fined in Ealing. This time it was the Persian restaurant in West Ealing. (Molana)Surprisingly, all the other Persian restaurants near by are owned by the same owner.Customers should boycott eating out until they clean up their kitchens and toilets.

Asha Smith ● 4557d24 Comments

I don't know the legislation in depth but it would seem that a 14 day closure notice for improvements after a poor inspection would lead some of these 'rogue traders' to question whether they should be in the business, especially if any 14 notice was followed by 28 day mandatory notice for any subsequent failed inspection.

Nigel Brooks ● 4195d

It's good to see the council enforcing and getting results, but it is really clear that this is the tip of the iceberg and they need to beef up the department significantly to stay on top of this.Clearly, these businesses either know they have a 1 in 200 chance of getting closed and it is only for a day or so.Sounds like a big stick is needed. Massive fines and bans from ever trading in the food and catering trade.

Anthony Waller ● 4195d

Leslie, I think that many of these places that fry stuff (chicken or otherwise) work on the basis that if the oil/fat is hot enough everything infectious is killed regardless of how bad the food is to begin with.

Neil F. Weber ● 4197d

Mouse droppings on plates, open tins of food stored outside and open to the elements. However did they get the one star they did have? That should have been their lot, closed pronto.Makes you wonder just how good the rest really are, especially those fried chicken outlets, that spring up everywhere.

Leslie Bailey ● 4197d

Shocking - I'd like to see a much tougher regime of food inspections in Ealing - there's really no excuse for filthy and dangerous food outlets.

Gerry Tan ● 4198d

Ealing Council bulletin, 6 Oct 2014Molana at 78, Uxbridge Road, West Ealing was also shut down for a day by the food safety team on 8 September; after a customer reported seeing a mouse in the dining area. An inspection revealed a mouse infestation at the premises.Ealing Magistrates’ Court upheld the council’s decision to shut all four restaurants until they cleaned up their acts because of the risk to public health.

Andy Horridge ● 4198d

It's like my local Chinese takeaway. Over £100,000 spent on a refurb and kitchen area where you could eat off the floor. 1 star. Inspection three months later (no improvements as it would have been difficult to make them)5 stars. Can't figure it out.That said, there are a fair few in the borough with zero stars and I wouldn't go anywhere near.

Nigel Brooks ● 4550d

I don't understand the rateing of Ealing Mangal - my family and neighbours eat there quite often and the cooking area is spotless, as is the dining room.

Gerry Tan ● 4550d

Unwelcome news re Ealing Mangal - we regularly pick up takeaways from there.  :-(

Tony Colliver ● 4550d

Gerry - I generally agree with you - BUT - as pointed out by Sam, above, Ealing Mangal has a score of 1!http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business/ealing-mangal-w13-9aa-349435.htmlI have also eaten at the Molana several times and, until now, enjoyed it.

Phil Kay ● 4553d

I like restaurants where you can see into kitchens from front-of-house. Also kitchens which are part of the seating area - then you can see almost everything.We also like Ealing Mangal - the cooking area is open for all to see. The food at Ealing Mangal is always freshly prepared and cooked - and the Kurdish staff and proprietor are always pleasant and efficient.

Gerry Tan ● 4553d

Has anyone ever asked to see a restaurant's kitchens? Maybe we should if concerned. I know myself I like the Ealing Mangal which I'm depressed to see has also got 1 star.

Sam Salisbury ● 4553d

I really wish I hadn't read this just before popping out to grab some lunch - absolutely disgusting.I was just about to recommend the Persian Palace just across the road from Molana, as having visited many times, the food is amazing - thought I better check the FSA website before doing so and was gutted to see a "1" rating.

Bud Richards ● 4553d

"Would you believe it, they have been awarded 5 stars from Trip Advisor and got excellent reviews from other people. That goes to show, you cannot trust ratings."TripAdvisor reviews are notoriously unreliable in some cases, but for Molana it may be a sign that they have turned a corner.  All the reviews are dated after the emergency closure in January 2013, and include several from experienced reviewers. Planted reviews to boost the ratings on TripAdvisor are often from new reviewers who've been persuaded by the restaurant to give it a good review.  There's no sign of that sort of review here, so let's hope that lessons have been learned.  They certainly needed to be from the photos!

Richard Jennings ● 4556d

Ha ha, a pinch of mouse droppings, that's funny!  I find TripAdvisor rather unreliable.

Gerry Tan ● 4557d

Ealing Council require all restaurants to have a pest control company make regular checks and keep all documents on file. We pay apsl to do this quarterly. They check bait boxes and undercounter areas for activity. Touch wood we have a pest free restaurant but it's worth paying a company to do this for peace of mind. I assume some places cut costs by not paying for regular checks and there lies the problem.

David P Archer ● 4557d

Exactly - should be treated with a large pinch of mouse droppings.

Sam Salisbury ● 4557d

Trip Advisor doesn't look at the state of kitchens or cleanliness but is based solely on 'consumer' (some of whom, although I couldn't possibly confirm, be friends and family) reviews.

Nigel Brooks ● 4557d

The food standards agency gave them 1 star in May so at least they spotted an issue.

Sam Salisbury ● 4557d

Would you believe it, they have been awarded 5 stars from Trip Advisor and got excellent reviews from other people. That goes to show, you cannot trust ratings. Always trust your own instincts and 'nose'.It shows when you eat out, you put your life at their hands. You could die from food poisoning. So I hope that trading standards check out all the other restaurants in Ealing. If they are not fit for purpose, then close them down.

Asha Smith ● 4557d

What gets me is that they were warned and given advice on several occasions and still 'conditions deteriorated'. If they persistently ignore such warnings, they should be closed for good.

Sam Salisbury ● 4557d

Wait until you see the pictures - then you will truly be disgusted.The article is on the front page.My wife has been trying to persuade me to go to this particular restaurant for ages but I have been refusing on the entirely reasonable (it seem to me) grounds that they do not have a drinks licence.Looks like I've had a lucky escape...

Tony Colliver ● 4557d

There's no excuse for dirtiness in restaurants. Where is this restaurant in west Ealing and how much were they fined? Disgusting!

Gerry Tan ● 4557d

"Surprisingly, all the other Persian restaurants near by are owned by the same owner."Are they????  All of them?

Andy Vaughan ● 4557d