"Polka Kitchen is always a little sleepy, which is part of its charm and makes an early bird booking here totally acceptable. Plus, it’s the only way to make full use of the impressive cake counter—think regal, tiered slices of black forest gateau—without getting a midnight sugar rush. The twinkling chandeliers, velvet booths, and operatic soundtrack at this Polish spot in Ealing suit well-behaved family gatherings. Ones where toddlers bounce on the knee of grandparents who try—mostly successfully—to steer plates of comforting beef stew away from their grabby little hands." - rianne shlebak, sinead cranna, jake missing, heidi lauth beasley