A great dining experience with added music value

I don't know how usual it is to have dancing on the streets in Acton (perhaps it happens every night unbeknown to most of us?) but the combo of a warm summer night and some top class, fun music, well, some locals just couldn't resist.

The Mad Hatters play as a full band ( keyboards and drums included ) at various locations throughout Ealing, Acton and Brentford (catch them @The Lord Nelson in Brentford on Friday 22nd) and, as someone who has seen them locally fairly regularly, I can confidently say they're always fab.

Tailor Made describes itself as dining room and creative hub and although not a huge venue it's carefully designed and first impressions are that it wouldn't look amiss somewhere in central London. The compact version of The Mad Hatters playing here was literally 'tailor made' for this great restaurant.

Pared down to Jonny Palmer, singer/bass, Paul Viski on guitar and Yosi Marshall on Saxophone and Flute, this talented trio played a great selection of tunes, familiar to all.

In such an intimate setting there's always the danger of any live music being too intrusive, but not so with the Mad Hatters. The sound levels were just right and the variety of songs - ska, pop, rock, had something for everyone - spinkle in some Stray Cats , Cure, and OMD, and it all added to a laid back yet lively ambiance which proved highly popular both inside the restaurant and outside and just right for a Friday night.

As for the food, well what can I say? We shared a range of mezze style dishes which were each delicious. This cafe/restaurant provides a good range of all sorts and (as a non-meat eater) I was delighted there was so much choice.

We ended up enjoying Grilled Halloumi ( you can often judge a place on its halloumi I reckon, and this got a definate thumbs up from me) greek salad, feta pastries and Melitzanosalata which is a delicious combination of chargrilled aubergines with roasted peppers, feta, garlic, herbs extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.

The beautifully presented Sea Bass which a friend ordered was she said, possibly a little on the dry side for her taste, but nevertheless she still enjoyed it.

The restaurant was busy and service a little slower than ideal, but great music inside and various people dancing on the pavement outside provided us with sufficient entertainment and distraction from any hunger pangs.

After having such a great night at this rather trendy place I was rather surprised to hear that it would soon be all change at Tailor Made. The owners are taking over The Rocket Pub - just a bit further down Churchfield Road.

Andrew Millis told us:

'' Our intention is to operate the Rocket as a pub with an improved menu I will be taking control of the kitchen offering a similar menu to that of Tailor Made, but with a few extra vegetarian and vegan dishes. The bar offering will widen  with a selection of fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails and beers. We are currently in the process of re-designing the dinning room, terrace and bar area. We are recruiting attentive specialist staff to take care of the customers and hope to make a big push to return the Rocket to everyone's first choice for dinning, drinking and socialising. 

'' We will be open for breakfast, coffee, lunch and dinner. At weekends we will book quality entertainment - bands, comedians and DJ’s. We want the local community to be a part of what we are doing and to be proud to have the Rocket on their doorstep once more. We are moving in to the Rocket on the 1st July where it will be open as usual.''

The existing venue will be changing, full details haven't been made public yet, and I will be sad to see it go, but with the promise of great food and great music I don't think it will be long before I will be paying The Rocket a visit.

Annemarie Flanagan

June 19th 2018