Victoria is always willing to share her sources. Here are a few of her local suppliers.
Butchers
English Butcher
39 Churchfield Road, Acton W3 6AY
Tim , an Aussie butcher, sells well sourced meats, including wonderful aged beef and his own unique hamburgers, Suffolk chickens and duck products made in Acton by a local Frenchman, a perfect example of the diversity of Londoner’s contributions to this culinary city.
Lidgates
110 Holland Park Avenue W11 4UA
Just down the road a bit past Shepherds Bush is one of the best butchers in town. Still a family run business the display of meats is outstanding. Everything from free range chicken, venison and partridge in season, veal, English and Spanish pork and cuts prepared for roasting and sauteing to tempt the cook.
Vegetable and grocery shops
Global 4 Seasons
1A Market Place, Acton W3 6QS
Wonderful fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit that caterer to almost all the cooking cultures in the world. This friendly Afghan store also has well stocked grocery shelves including spices and flat breads, rice from round the world, pepper paste and Greek tomato sauce, thick yoghurts and pastry.
Hakikat Food Centre
102-104 High Street W3 6QX
A Turkish greengrocer and grocer with a butcher at the back, this is an Aladdin’s cave. The quality and variety of the fruit and veg is fabulous. You can always find unusual ingredients here. Everything from around the Mediterranean, from fresh feta cheese to loose olives, oils and ghee, coffee with cardamon, Ceylon and herbal teas. If you are an Ottolenghi fan all the ingredients in his books are here, even Brick pastry from Tunisia.
Mleczko Delikatesy
193-195 High Street, Acton W3 9DD
This Polish deli has a large variety of smoked and cooked cold meats and sausages as well as grocery shelves groaning with pickles and condiments and baking requirements.
Fish shop
Atari-ya
7 Station Parade, Noel Road, West Acton W3 0DS
In the heart of Japanese West Acton this is one of the best fishmongers around. Everything is so fresh and professionally prepared for you. I wouldn’t buy fish anywhere else. Plus you can stock up on Japanese groceries whilst listening to the animated chatter of the customers.
Cafe
Mill Bakery
67 Churchfield Road, Acton W3 6AX
With 11 cafes in the street this Serbian one is the best. The coffee is expertly made by the very friendly staff, who really understand what good service is about in the hospitality industry. On top, their cook is very skilled making delicious salads, sandwiches and cakes. Try the Proya, a muffin made with Serbian maize flour and white cheese and the Burek, where they even make the pastry themselves. It’s unique !
Wine Shop
Park + Bridge
73 Churchfield Road Acton W3 6AX
An independent wine shop selling far better and more interesting wines than you’ll find in a supermarket. Paola and Mike sell a really wide range of wines, both geographically and varietally, some organic, biodynamic and ones with minimal intervention. The shop has wine tastings and a wine bar across the road. What more could we want.