Star Rating

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Village Kitchen  

41 Orford Road,

Walthamstow    

London, E17 9NJ    map

Tel. 020 8509 2144

Web Site

I have been visiting the Village Kitchen fairly regularly since the beginning of the year (probably been about once a month) and have never had a bad experience.

It is just up the road from me so it is a lovely treat to take a book and sit and relax while being looked after by Hannah, the ever wonderful waitress.  On my first visit I was putting cracked pepper on my meal and she overheard the fact that the pepper grinder was almost empty and got me a fresh one.  Now that's service above and beyond what you would receive in most places I suspect!

The food has always been lovely, cooked just as requested, and there is no skimping on the servings.  The menu has changed recently and they now offer kangaroo.  It is good to see something so different and unexpected in one's local restaurant.  The white chocolate cheesecake is to die for, and Hannah rustles up a fabulous Raspberry Bellini too.

It is also lovely to be recognised when I walk in and greeted in such a friendly way.  Hannah also knows I am there to relax and asks the kitchen not to rush my meal so I can enjoy myself (without my even having to ask).  Terrific service.

I recently took friends there on their final night in the UK after travelling around Europe for 3 months.  After all their experiences, they reckoned their meal at the Village Kitchen was one of the best that they had had.

Highly recommended and I'll be back!

Narrelle
Posted 15th July 2010

We don’t eat out that often (as we prefer not to leave our beloved dog behind) but for a birthday we make special arrangements. Last year we’d taken a party to the Village Kitchen, and had a thoroughly nice evening, so we thought we’d do the same again exactly a year later.  We were accommodated in the small, intimate room at the back of the restaurant.

Once again, a resounding success.  They have a deal on during June where two courses are provided for under £13 (I wasn’t paying so didn’t notice the exact amount!). There was a plentiful choice of both starters and main courses. We had a great time there (efficiently served by the amiable Hannah, who remembered us well) and I have to admit I didn’t pay that much attention to what everyone else was having, although I’m certain everyone else was entirely happy.  I had a simply wonderful French onion soup with a substantial slice of toasted cheese baguette on top. I do love onion soup, although it can be far too salty – this was just right.  For the main course I had a ribeye steak (£3 supplement) with potatoes in a red wine and cherry tomato jus which really was something – not just the peculiar dribble you get in some places.  The steak itself was flavoursome with the right balance of texture and tenderness.  Followed that with strawberry cheesecake. They were a bit short on waiting staff that night, but we didn’t notice any problem – service was very careful and positively warm: the two with “difficult” food allergies were specifically remembered and well provided for. We had plenty of wine (a particularly nice Cabernet Shiraz) and Hannah had found me a Campari & soda (remembering that I love this!).  I’m told the bill worked out at £27.40 per head, including (well-deserved) service.

My first ever restaurant bill (a Pizzeria  in Bristol) came to four shillings, so I’ve been eating out in restaurants for a long time!  Nevertheless, I was surprised by how good the food was last night.  Well done Hannah, and all at the Village Kitchen.  We really should go there more often.

Posted June 24th 21010

The Village Kitchen is part of a small chain of local restaurants, the others being located in Woodford and Chingford. Not having been to VK for a few years the team decided to give it another try for the cause of e17foodanddrink.co.uk.
Previous experiences have been both good and bad. Having heard that there had been some improvements we went along hopeful of mind. The atmosphere was pleasant with that modern brown and burgundy furnishing that is so often found in contemporary restaurants, lounge rooms and trendy wine bars, the lighting subdued and tasteful.
VK was full on arrival at 9pm… at 9.45 we were still waiting for our starters (eek!). A few minutes later (after a little encouragement) starters arrived - my impatient irritation was muted by some very nice mussels in a white wine and cream sauce (mussels can be difficult, these were not). The brie (which should have been a bit runny and maybe even a bit warm) was stiff and cold and disappointing and its accompanying raspberries may well have been previously frozen. This was the low point of the meal, though. Everything else was very good indeed.
The bottle of shiraz, although a tad over-priced at £18, was good. The salmon with green beans and the sea bream with butternut squash were both very tasty and expertly cooked. The service was friendly without being false. Starters cost around £5 to £6. Main courses were between £10 and £15 with side dishes extra.
I noticed a few items on the dessert menu that have been there for at least five years – I guess they must be either good sellers or difficult to shift! In the end we chanced what turned out to be a scrumptious vanilla cheesecake (£5).
I’m not sure whether this visit has gone any way to proving the consistency of VK but the experience definitely was a positive one. VK is open for lunch as well but this has yet to be experienced. You could visit their web site at www.vkltd.co.uk but it’s a bit of a waste of a click...

Nov 08

Posted 8th January 2010

This Christmas Day lunch, my family decided that I should have a rest from cooking, so we booked Village Kitchen for lunch. We had the 3.30pm sitting. It was lovely. They were full and despite the fact the staff were very busy, they were very friendly & efficient. The food was really nice and we had a really lovely long leisurely afternoon.

Sharon

Posted 6th January 2009

I took the wife to the Village Kitchen for a pre Christmas meal. I booked a table but there was really no need because when we got there it was all but empty. I had some mussels for starter which was offered with a choice of two sauces - cream with chili or classic white wine. I ordered the classic white wine sauce and received cream with chili which was very rich but quite tasty - good start. The wife had a king prawn starter which she enjoyed but struggled to eat due to the fact there were lots of prawns, I had one, they were nice. The main course I had was salmon with mange tout and sauté potatoes with a beetroot oil dressing. The presentation was very impressive and the food was cooked very well, my only criticism was that the whole dish was a bit oily (maybe more beetroot and less oil next time). The wife had seafood linguini (more prawns!) which was hearty, well cooked and tasty (I had some of that too). 
Oh almost forgot to mention the green side salad which we had to return because the salad dressing was foul, salty and inedible - we refused to pay for it and the item was credited without an explanation or apology.. The apple tart we shared for sweet was very moreish and was a nice end to a pleasant meal.

So, I bit mixed really. Will we go back? Probably...Maybe


Brian (and Trish)

We have been going to The Village Kitchen on and off for years now, as it is so hit and miss.
Visited again on 30th November with some friends. The food was really lovely, as was the atmosphere. The staff, although very pleasant and accommodating were a tad on the slow side, but we still all enjoyed our lunch despite that.

S.

The Village Kitchen is not a bad modern European restaurant but will never win a Michelin star.

Tracey

'Foodie'