Village East

My first time dining here, its only 10 minutes drive from my home but somehow it's one of those places I've always managed to miss.

Generally it's alright, though I find it hard to be quite as complimentary as other reviewers have been.

The good – well value for money for a start; 2 people, 3 courses, water, 4 glasses of wine and all for £95, no complaints about that (although some of the wine on the list is excessively priced and similar bottles are cheaper in Mayfair establishments than here). Food was also generally good – I ate haricot bean and roasted garlic soup for starters – tasted rather more like potato soup, but pleasant, thick and hot, followed by Icelandic cod fillet with saffron orzo, chorizo and roast cherry tomatoes – a really generous portion, nice thick piece of cod sat on a great, risotto style, bed of goodies – sadly the accompanying chips I had as a side dish were really disappointing – machine produced, overcooked and a mass of shrapnel like pieces, followed by baked hazelnut and ricotta torte raspberries, Grand Marnier tuiles – nice but certainly didn't set the world alight. Service was fine – we waited a touch too long for drinks at the start and there was a tendency to bring the right dishes but hand them to the wrong person, but otherwise no problems.

The less good – mainly the atmosphere; it was extremely noisy and very bad acoustics where you could hear the conversation 3 tables away but not be able to hear the conversation on your own table. Tables are also crammed in and very small so you've barely got space to move and the air conditioning didn't seem to be working so it was very hot.

Would I return – yes, but it’s not a place for a romantic dinner and I'd try and find a day when it would be cooler and quieter.

Couldn't fault it! Excellent decor and the food lived up to it – warm squid and chorizo starter followed by seared venison was the best meal I've had this year by far. Service was efficient and unobtrusive and the prices reasonable.

The bar at the front is lively without impacting on the restaurant and continues into the early hours.

Cannot recommend enough.

I've been to Village East a few times now and always love it. Definitely much much cooler than all the dull chains around More London & the overpriced Pont de la Tour & clones by Tower Bridge. Great atmosphere, fab cocktails and good food. In fact, I like it so much I've even forgiven the waiter who told me I look like Nigella Lawson (who apparently is a regular – an accolade in itself!)

The menu is creative & seasonal with yummy daily specials and the wine list ranges from £20 to £100, with a bargain “bin ends” page at the front – great for all the recessionistas out there! Last night I had lovely chargrilled tuna steak (beautifully cooked, still nice & pink in the middle) with seasonal veg and a mustardy sauce. My boyfriend had a great ribeye and our pre-dinner cocktails were yummy and really well presented.

I've only ever been here in the evening and am inclined to think it would lacking a certain something during the daytime – the New York styling just wouldn't be as cool in the cold harsh light of day!

I've visited Village East on a few occasions and have always been impressed with the flair in which simple well cooked food is combined and presented to make your visit worthwhile, especially for locals. With interiors that flow between boho cool and warehouse retro, efficient and friendly service and a buzzy atmosphere whether your dining or drinking in the bar, VE ticks all the boxes for a great experience. Food is predominantly British with good old fashioned and modern twists on tradtional fayre. The fish dishes are particularly well thought out and there are also a few vegetarian choices, which variate along with the seasonal menu's too. The one thing to not miss, is the to-die-for chocolate fondant and pistachio ice cream! A great place for an all in one night out, which in four trips so far, has not disappointed.