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Villandry’s deli area is shrinking, as tables for the charcuterie bar extend into the shop – which shows, perhaps, on what side the firm’s bread is buttered these days. The huge premises are divided into a series of high-ceilinged spaces providing plenty of refuelling options: from a plate of excellent meats in the charcuterie, or smoked haddock and cod fish cake in the bar, to the restaurant, where the tables are clothed in white and the monthly-changing menu delivers its version of European brasserie cooking. A concrete floor and high ceiling might conspire against a convivial atmosphere, but to some diners the sound levels add to the buzz. The kitchen is not beyond a little showiness, with a rich and perfectly seasoned red mullet soup arriving in a copper pan to be poured by the waiter into a bowl over some pieces of the fish. Main-course cassoulet delivered less-than-perfect duck confit, but a well-flavoured, tomato-based ragoût. Side orders of vegetables are charged extra. You’ll also find daily specials – game pie with parsnip mash, maybe – and desserts such as lemon tart.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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hmmm, express yourself in less than 500 words :oS Feels like I'm back at school. aaaargggh what to say! I was goin to say I'm pretty easy going,...
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Every time i come to Villandry I'm more and more impressed. the portions were ample, very well presented. the service was impeccable.
My husband and I had supper in the bar areas last night and I have to say that I was really surprised at just how poor and expensive the food was. My husband had a main course of pasta, which was the size of a reasonably modest starter in most places. The cost was £13 and the taste very indifferent. I ordered fish and chips, at £17. The fish consisted of 2 prawns and three small chunks of other types of fish, all covered with a large frizz of curly lettuce to disguise the size (the lettuce did not have a drop of dressing on it either). The choice of fish was strange, why deep fry tuna and salmon? Chips were indifferent. Overall the quality of food was comparable to what I might expect in my local (Tooting, South London) caff or pub. There are no other words to describe it but (if you will excuse the 70s phrase) rip-off! We have not eaten in the main restaurant, but if this is what you serve in the bar then clearly the food in the main restaurant will be bad and over-priced. I am quite surprised by this as in general, there are more and more good quality restaurants in London serving good food at reasonable prices, I cannot think that the place can carry on for much longer like this, relying presumably on passing/one off trade. I work just around the corner so we thought we might as well try it, but we will not come back here to eat.