If it's well-priced and excellent seasonal food you're after, ditch central London and head out west to Charlotte's Place, a 'neighbourhood restaurant' in the heart of W5.

The Venue
Sat overlooking the green wilds of Ealing Common, Charlotte's Place, is set in an old Victorian corner house. Established for more than 26 years this one-time truckers' cafe is now the epitome of casual, classy but close-to-home dining. Polished wood floors, white linen and sparkling glassware flow throughout the two floors of a dining area that seats 54 in total. Downstairs in the basement, it's cosy but windowless, while the ground floor is bright and airy with large dual aspect windows overlooking the common. During the warmer months a handful of outdoor tables offer alfresco dining.

The Atmosphere
Charlotte's is very much a local's haunt, and the restaurant is filled with couples and groups of friends who are no doubt trying to keep its fabulousness a secret from the rest of London. With chilled, jazzy background music and friendly, efficient staff, the place seems to have got the vibe just right.

The Food
Chef, Greg Martin, keeps the menu succinct and seasonal, and introduces a selection of new dishes each month, keeping flavours fresh and up to the minute. An absolute must-try is the starter dish of crisp pig cheeks and braised pigs head (£7). Fully expecting Babe's head on a plate, the dish arrives as a heavenly trio of crisp quenelles filled with rich, tender pork, served on pink slivers of pigs head terrine and sprinkled with crackling chips and mizuna leaves. A glorious, meaty dish guaranteed to impress your date. The steak tartare (£7) is equally as tasty and comes as a patty of finely chopped fillet steak, full of flavour and topped with a raw yolk.

Mains comprise a handful of meat, vegetarian and fish options including a gorgeous roast Cornish cod (£16). A fat slab of firm white fish comes perched on a bed of buttery savoy cabbage dotted with slivers of salty honey roast gammon, all topped with a crisp lid. It's hearty, comforting and full of flavour. The confit of pork belly (£16) is another fine dish. A slow-cooked roll of soft, meaty pork comes nestled on a turret of white bean ragout, rich chorizo, with a herby salsa verde topping.

Desserts are equally as impressive and include an over-generous slab of flourless chocolate and orange cake (£6) served with a delicate vanilla and orange ice cream. With the blood orange currently in season, a trio of orangy treats (£6) arrive including a glorious fresh orange sorbet, a marmalade and white chocolate cheesecake and a thimble of blood orange posset.

The Drink
Like the food, the wine list is well selected and interesting, even if prices aren't particularly cheap (£18-£180). The house white is a crisp fresh and exceptionally drinkable Malvasia from Abruzzo in Italy (£3 for a glass, £18 for the bottle). For those with deeper pockets there's a good range of mid-priced wines where £40 will bag you a nice Spanish Albarino or an Australian Shiraz. Following the seasonal theme, a blood orange mimosa (£6.50) starts the meal off nicely.

The Last Word
Charlotte's Place is a rare gem: a decent local restaurant serving exceptional seasonal food in a simple but stylish manner. No wonder it got a Bib Gourmand from Michelin.

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