Sunday Roast At The Chiswick Union Bar
Anne Flaherty finds the Chiswick Park venue a good alternative to High Road eateries
The Union Bar and Grill has been popular with workers in Chiswick Business Park for years but is relatively unknown to those of us who live outside the landscaped environs of the park.
Local families know the area well as it is perfect for a weekend outing with young children with its lake, waterfall and a decked walk where it is safe for them to run around or learn to ride a bicycle.
Located near Unit Four, beside Starbucks, the restaurant has decided to attract a different sort of clientele at weekends and has started promoting its Sunday Roast. I'm always eager to get a break from cooking at the weekends so I was looking forward to sampling the new menu.
The usual weekday restrictions that apply to parking are exempt if you are visiting the restaurant for Sunday lunch, and the carpark was practically empty. The park is a little oasis of quiet, and if the weather is good you can sit outside the Union Bar at a table on the deck.
The Union Bar interior is a large modern airy space with wooden floors, leather banquettes and a long bar with a zinc counter top. There are little fairy lights twinkling from the ceiling's exposed pipework. It is a very large space, suitable for a party or live music. We were seated at a comfortable booth by the window and ordered a glass of Prosecco and some sparkling water. I did find the music from the radio somewhat grating, and would have preferred a more 'mellow' sound to get into the Sunday afternoon vibe.
I chose a crayfish and avocado salad (£6.50)for starters which turned out to be a very large portion though I am not one to complain about too much food. The chef had introduced some pesto on the salad leaves along with marie rose sauce and a little balsamic. Even though it sounds like a strange mixture, it worked, as the seasoning was not too heavy handed and the amount of sauce was quite tiny. My husband ordered a starter of Gazpacho ( £4.50) a cold soup made with garlic, tomatoes and cucumber whizzed together. He felt it needed a bit of extra kick but this was easily obtained from some pepper sauce.
I chose the Roast Beef (£13.25)with trimmings as a main course. This was tender and nicely cooked with very good roasted vegetables, a mixture of sweet potato, parsnips, carrot, peas, cauliflower and then some rather crunchy roast potatoes. The other main course for my husband was Crispy Belly Pork,(£12.50) and this was a large portion where the meat was very tender though the crackling was a bit hard. This dish came with a similar selection of vegetables as the beef. Other Sunday roast options included Roast Chicken, a Thai Red Chicken Curry, Beer Battered Haddock and Chips, or Penne Arabbitta.
The Kids Burger (£5 for children's menu ) came in a foccacia bun with melted cheese on top, chips and a little pot of mayo. This was a hearty portion. Other options for children include roast chicken, fish and chips or pasta with tomato sauce.
For dessert all kids get a chocolate chip cookie to decorate with icing which is guaranteed to while away a few minutes. Here is the Before.... and
After version of the cookie decoration effort by artist Holly (9).
Dessert included the standard gastropub fare of icecreams/sorbets, Banoffi Pie, StickyTtoffee Pudding, Apple and Cherry Crumble, or this amazing Eton Mess. Definitely enough for two or three people with a sweet tooth. The berries were fat and juicy, and the meringue was not too cloyingly sweet.
Wines range in price from £17.50 for a bottle of Italian white Piemonte Cortese Araldica or a red French Jean Paul Route at £16.95 and start at £4.10 for a small glass. The most expensive wines on the menu are just over £30.
We finished with a couple of excellent coffees. The bill totalled just under £60 including service, which was friendly and efficient.
I felt there was something rather familiar about the food and then when chatting with the manager I discovered that the chef is from the Bollo, as is the manager and the waitress who served us. I think the Union has good potential as a Sunday venue but I do feel they need to inject some atmosphere with the music and maybe they might introduce live music in the future.
it's an ideal spot for families with young children as it's spacious, the staff are friendly and there is a corner with lots of toys and games to play. Afterwards the kids can run around outside in the park!
I would certainly return there as an alternative to the ever-busy High Road.
Also as a special offer the Union Bar is offering a free bottle of house wine (white, red, or rose)for diners in August if they pre book a Sunday lunch by the Friday beforehand.
The Union Bar Chiswick
Unit Four
Block Five, Chiswick Park W45YA
0208 995 9056
www.theunionbar.co.uk
August 4, 2013