Oporto

Situated halfway between Ealing Broadway and South Ealing, on a small parade of shops, is this family run Portuguese restaurant, which we particularly like to visit in summer. The Mediterranean flavours and the strong emphasis on seafood seem especially suited to warm weather – indeed there are quite a few tables on the pavement outside to take advantage of this, and the restaurant is thankfully a little set back from the main road.

Service here is laid-back (OK, occasionally slow!) and friendly. The staff know many of their regular customers well, it seems, and are always ready for a chat. The décor is simple, almost more like a café than a restaurant, and indeed breakfast and other light meals are served during the day – check out the pastries if you have a sweet tooth.

Starters include batatas picantes (spicy potatoes much like the Spanish papatas bravas), squid rings, grilled sardines, prawns etc. We usually get a couple to share, tapas style, but portions are large, so one between two, or two or three between four, is plenty. For a main course I usually choose seafood, and particularly like the monkfish kebabs, with large chunks of moist fish alternating with peppers and onions. But there are meat dishes too, several of which come with a spicy chilli and garlic sauce that is a speciality here – Chris has enjoyed the calves liver on more than one occasion. Vegetarian choices are limited but there are a few risotto-like dishes that would fit the bill. Prices are reasonable, with most starters under £5 and most mains under £10. To accompany our meal we nearly always choose the Vinho Verde, as its freshness and hint of a sparkle is perfect with this cuisine.