Villandry

Sadly, a very unpleasant experience overall!

I ordered the prawn and mango salsa starter; the prawns were overcooked and chewy, which is unacceptable from restaurants of this calibre. The salsa was bland – it takes a real skill to render mango and chilli bland – and the cashews strewn over the dish were too bitter due to over-toasting. My main (haddock and prawn fishcakes) had no identifiable prawn in it, and was probably about 70% potato. Very disappointing for a dish priced upwards of £12.00.

The waiter, well, where should I begin: he stepped on my friend twice; twice he towered and leaned over me to the point I had to shift my chair to make it clear that he was too close for comfort; he snapped back to another friend who asked whether her pudding was on its way; and when he came to take our afters order, he reeked of cigarette smoke – clearly this had not been his shining day. Regrettably, nothing redeeming about him: rushed, surly, and inattentive.

I'd avoid given that the competition out there regarding similarly prices restaurants offers more.

What's not to love about a deli and gourmet food shop that has a restaurant attached to it? Especially when it's actually very good. Although it must be said that lunches have a tad more ambience as the deli/shop is actually open for business, whereas in the evening you have to use the rear entrance on a whole other street as the shopfront is closed. Plus the fact that you would struggle to see any sign of life in the evening in that neighbourhood, it can be a bit ho-hum. However the restaurant is equally busy both day and night and the ambience is great. Service, although friendly, can be quite slow at times especially if they are busy.

The menu has a great selection of foods to suit all moods and palates. Modern European would be the best way to describe the food I guess, although I don't really go in for that kind of cliche. My favourite starter has to be the Macaroni cheese with (or without) bacon, it is delicious and the perfect comfort food, but terrine of foie gras, French onion soup and whole artichoke with hazlenut vinaigrette are also great choices.

Main courses are great with a juicy ribeye steak with sauce ‘Cafe de Paris’ or the quivveringly raw Steak tartare, which is equally delicious. But you really must try the ‘Aspen Fries’ as they are a thing of beauty. Crispy fries doused in truffle oil and enough parmesan cheese to reform a mini-wheel, makes these chips beyond special. In fact, I could quite happily eat them on their own, although best served with a nice hunk of meat.

Desserts are pretty interesting with Mars bar cheesecake (not for the faint hearted) as well as sticky toffee pudding and a great cheese plate. I am surprised that they offer 50% off the menu here, when the food is as good as it is. Although perhaps without the 50% discount the bill could end up being quite expensive, so long live the discount!

Well rounded steak tartare and London's poshest chips. Good meat platter too. Wine choice a little under done though and the decor is reminiscent of a Nazi hostel in Austria, but overall enjoyable, if pricy experience. The adjoining deli is a delight though

Had a really pleasant evening on a Saturday night with a small group of friends. The only let down was the service. Because there were a few of us, we kept needing another bottle of wine or water. Each time we had to ask at least twice.

Love this place for its simple but very good food. Don't go expecting the unexpected or the unusual: it’s always been a simple short menu. The wine list is extremely good and full of unusual things as well the standards. Service is always efficient and friendly. The room can feel bare – I have never had dinner here but I suspect it would feel slightly cold. At lunchtime though, it’s always buzzy. Any restaurant that leaves allows you to help yourself from a large bowl of whipped cream to go with you chocolate pudding gets the thumbs up, plus it has a fab delicatessen next door.