I HAD never eaten out in Acton, so thought it was about time I tried one of the town's eateries.
While scouting for ideas on the internet, I was enticed by The Chatsworth's varied menu. The atmosphere was a good start, the blue fairy lights around the bar and candles on the table giving a cosy feel to the interior.
The friendly staff were another plus - they were attentive and helpful throughout the evening.
It was quiet, with only a few other people in the bar, but it was a Tuesday night and the same was true of restaurants and pubs I passed on the way.
I usually prefer to drink bitter rather than lager and, although they had none on tap they had bottles of ale and I chose London Pride priced at £3.50. My friend chose a large glass of house red costing £4.25.
The menu was slightly different to the choice online, but still varied and, reassuringly, not too long. The fact it gets changed every so often was a good sign.
We shared bread and olives to start at £4.25. The bread wasn't exactly artisan and was a bit like thick toast but it was pleasant enough with the mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
I was tempted to have a homemade burger but decided to have a more interesting, and more expensive, option of venison steak with fondant potatoes, at £11.95.
I had never had fondant potatoes and the waiter did not know what they were. He admitted they rarely sold the venison and that burgers were the popular choice, which made me wonder why the meat was on the menu.
He came back to say fondant potatoes were like roast potatoes, but they were too soft for that. A search on the internet tells me they are actually cooked in stock.
Not knowing how they should taste, it was difficult to judge them. They were not unpleasant, but were a little dull.
The venison had a nice enough flavour. The cranberry sauce, which was more like gravy, worked reasonably well with it but I don't think I would order the dish again.
My friend chose the grilled organic salmon steak with roasted new potatoes and a selection of vegetables and beurre blanc sauce (made with shallots, vinegar, white wine, cream and butter) priced at £11.50.
She said the fish was a little overcooked, but the meal was OK.
We were too full for dessert but at the end we were presented with bowl of iced water containing four grapes and two slices of strawberry, with cocktail sticks to eat them with. It was a nice, if a little odd, touch.
I hear the Chatsworth is a popular bar and, with the atmosphere and staff it has, I can see why. I probably will go back - the food was not unpleasant, but I'll just have a burger next time.
