Forum Topic

Bens Bistro

I see another courageous restaurateur is opening in the backwater that is Ferry Lane. It's the site that used to be Glistening Waters. We can but wish them well. No doubt the grammar fetishists will be discussing the missing apostrophe.

David Lawson ● 3644d17 Comments

I tried Ben's Bistro yesterday. Great food, excellent service and good value. Definitely worth a visit. Enjoy...

Mark Sherred ● 3449d

Still no sign of the Indian restaurant opening.

Paul Scullion ● 3490d

Ben's is a lovely cafe, does great coffee.

Reg Ghosh ● 3491d

The new Griffin restaurant is indeed excellent,the pub is run by lovely staff too.I noticed Ben's open the other day, not had a chance to try it yet but certainly will. Some much needed variety in good old TW8

Robin Jones ● 3580d

Thanks, Clare. We certainly will.Your attitude to extra charges will certainly make a welcome change from our experience at the National Gallery restaurant today. I ordered fish soup for lunch (£9.50, so I was expecting something special), when the waiter warned me rather apologetically that, if I wanted bread with my soup, it would be an extra £2.50. I never did get to discover if the soup justified the cost, as we decided to leave.So we look forward to trying out The Griffin instead!

Deborah Hall ● 3581d

As you're discussing new restaurant ventures, I thought I'd give a bit of self promotion a go.The new restaurant at The Griffin pub is now open. The food is made to order by Chef Gerhard who is a Chef formerly of Waldorf Astoria, Great Fosters & Frere Jacques in Kingston to name a few.We believe in high quality but value for money food (so no extra £1.50 for chips or cheese on a burger stuff) so come give us a try. I believe there is a sample menu on this site if you're interested. Welcome all

Claire Peleschka ● 3581d

"It doesn't look like a proper Thames Path at all((."I agree, though it would be a lot better without barriers across it!I'm working on it. The Morrisons bit is a real joy.

Guy Lambert ● 3584d

Ben's is open, the Indian not.

Paul Scullion ● 3586d

Anyone know if Ben's Bistro and/or the new Albany Indian are open yet?

Reg Ghosh ● 3586d

"One of my ambitions is to get the Thames path going properly in Brentford."Fully supported Guy! But how come the new bit of Thames Path along the new development next to Watermans is so narrow? It doesn't look like a proper Thames Path at all((.

Alex Shpinkov ● 3633d

Speaking as a FQ resident I definitely do not want to see the restaurants close.I've tried Galata Pera and I agree the service and food are excellent, unfortunately not to my rather boring taste - I'm hoping Ben's bistro will be more my cup of tea.One of my ambitions is to get the Thames path going properly in Brentford. The path improvement from Morrisons to FQ (progressing but not quite finished yet) is a start, as is the fact you can now walk past the front of the next block along. The other new block has provision for a path but it's currently blocked off and a dreadful mess so that's something I'm going to try and fix.If the Watermans/Max Factor is changed then I'm fervently hoping we can have an uninterrupted riverside path from the far end of Waterman's park to Morrisons, or better still into the heart of the new Brentford riverside when Ballymore gets going. To me that's the key to success for the restaurants - more awareness of the riverside and more accessible walks.In the meantime good folks of Brentford.. come! 3 restaurants (shortly) and a nice little pub; completely car free environment; attractive boats and gardens and extensive open space including a wild 'butterfly garden'.And a warm welcome from (most) residents.

Guy Lambert ● 3633d

There also appears to be an new Indian restaurant opening on Albany Parade.  Wishing both them and Bens every success.

Paul Scullion ● 3633d

The problem with the restaurants on Ferry Quays is that local FQ residents don't support them because I think they don't want them and they like to see them close up.  I have been to Galata Pera on numerous occasions and its excellent.  Lovely fresh homemade salads, Turkish bread and dips, barbecued fish and meat. Lots of veg options. Great service. IMHO the best restaurant in Brentford but hidden away and it's in such a lovely position right on the canal. Quiet.  I hope that it survives but until people get know about it.......

Nada Salisbury ● 3633d

Don't think it's open yet. There were various blokes there yesterday, looking like they were preparing for opening.

Guy Lambert ● 3637d

Well done for advertising this. I had no idea it was there - which is a shame because we always try and make a point of supporting local ventures.Anyone tried it yet?

Deborah Hall ● 3637d

FYI I believe Pappadums is for sale.... Nice place, but you are right empty

David Rose ● 3643d

Let's hope it does well and lasts longer than Glistening Waters and the Italian.I don't know how Pappadums and Galata Pera survive as there's barely more than a handful of customers in either restaurant each time I walk past.These establishments really need to invest in some advertising.  Friends and neighbours I talk to in Brentford mostly have no idea they even exist.

Reg Ghosh ● 3643d