43 The Broadway,
Ealing,
London,
W5 5JN
(020) 8579 0863
The ViewLondon Review
Easy on the eye, good to the stomach: there’s plenty at this busy Ealing hangout for the discerning drinker.
The Venue
Located on Ealing Broadway near the tube station, common and shops, this snazzy establishment scoops up a serious amount of passing trade, as well as being a favourite meeting spot for locals.
The North Star is housed within a pretty building with ornate paintwork and two pretty gables, like a tiny castle, abutted on one side by an outdoor area that twinkles with fairy lights. Indoors, it’s spacious, comfortable and modern – all leather armchairs and dark varnish. Outdoors is a patio area with traditional brightly coloured tables and a wicker shelter stretching overhead, keeping the rain off and the heat in.
The Atmosphere
Always bustling, the bar, which stretches across the front and middle rooms of the three-room set up, is usually two-deep with punters come the weekend. Waits to be served aren’t huge at the North Star, though, as the bar staff are quick and helpful, and those waiting have plenty to look at including clocks registering the time in different time zones, a display of vintage album covers.
The crowd is a collective of metrosexual suburbanites – young, trendy and full of fun. You’re likely to find at least one table making use of the pub’s collection of board games, while others prefer to kick back and listen to the music on the regular live music or DJ nights.
The Food
Reasonably priced pub standards are the order of the day at the North Star, with a few special touches like the house’s ‘bloody mary ketchup’ (bloody tasty) served with a big bowl of spicy chipolatas (£3.50) as a hearty snack.
The menu offers mains including a wide selections of Aberdeen Angus burgers, available in two sizes (8oz for about £7.50, 10oz for £8.50) with Maris Piper chips and specially made pies and mash (at £8.50 a pop), including a delightful veggie option with roasted vegetables and smoked pepper pesto. They do some great offers during the week, including 2-4-1 meal deals. Very credit crunch friendly.
The Drink
A wide selection of beer, wine and spirits is available at the North Star. Draught beers include a strawberry flavoured Belgian Fruli (£3.90 a pint) and Californian pale ale Sierra Nevada (3.85), while CAMRA members will be delighted with the regularly rotating group of four guest bitters and ales.
The cocktail list offers an affordable (£5-£5.50) choice of more exotic tipples, including a spicy long island iced tea, caipirinha and raspberry mojito. The wine list has also bowed to the pressure of the recession and showcases a selection of top drops every month, available on Mondays for just £10 a bottle.
The Last Word
Trying to be everything to everybody can pay off. The North Star walks the fine line between busy after-work hangout and lazy Sunday chill zone and succeeds with grace and charm.
North Star has been reviewed by 4 users