Villandry

lightlines

25th October 2008

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Great stir-fry takeaway, probably the best value for money deal you'll get in the area. Rest of the food is good but perhaps a bit pricey. No comments on the restaurant as I haven't had that pleasure.

joslyoung

10th September 2008

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It's interesting to read such mixed reviews for Villandry, because it's one of my favourite places and I've always found it to be of an exceptional standard, both in terms of food and service (the latter seemingly being quite a persistent problem where other people's experiences are concerned). For what it's worth - and I don't dispute the possibility of service being a problem because they're a laid back bunch at Villandry, which could easily spill over into lacksadasical - I've never had any issues and always had a good meal.
The most recent occasion I ate there was only a month or so back, when I went with my partner. I had a really fresh and lovely salad to start, and calves liver with mashed potato and bacon, crispy sage and a light gravy. Very nice, simple food, well cooked. No real surprises, but that's not what Villandry's about, to me: it excels on the quality of its ingredients and their freshness. It also scores points on the relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant and indeed throughout - other areas in the place are great for coffees, meetings and lazy brunches.
It's true that Villandry isn't cheap: you could top £100 on a lunch for two without trying too hard, which is steep by most non-expense-account-holder's standards. So I'd say it was a special occasion place, really, one that I always enjoy.

funki_munki

Good but pricey 2nd September 2008

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Villandry is a great restaurant if, like me, you opt to go when there are special offers on. If I hadn’t had a 50% offer voucher I doubt I would be as pleased given the expense. The restaurant is roomy yet intimate with plush surrounding. The service was OK but often to difficult to get attention when you need it. I really enjoyed the food; my Duck cassoulet was tender and rick and my friend moules were delicious, although the size of the potion did make it a little daunting for her!

My only other gripe was being told there was a 2 hour turnaround on my table (not mentioned when I booked!) although this was not enforced at all, so not sure why they felt the need to tell me.

sokratis

Great for takeaway breakfast and lunch 14th December 2007

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Unfortunately I can only comment on the takeaway delights from the Villandry. Stopped there for a quick bite before my dentist's appointement and the pain-au-chocolat was definitely worth the slight detour. It was baked perfectly and the consistency of the dough reminded me of the real thing one gets in Paris.

After being a realtively clean bill of health from the dentist, I decided to make another small detour on my way back and pick up some lunch.
Again, I'm really glad I did. The roast duck and vegetable noodle salad was full of flavour. The duck was of high quality with the perfect balance of crispiness and fat. The vegetables where not overwhelming the just crunchy enough. The noodles were fresh and not greasy at all. At £4.95 for the large bowl it is an excellent, quick-lunch choice.

I can't wait to go back and have a proper, sit-down meal

mizzallure

You have been warned... 10th December 2007

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I was sorely disappointed in Villandry, but not as much as my friend, as he was the one who waited 30 min for his English breakfast, and when it finally arrived, they had gotten his order wrong.

Shall I even mention the fact we had to remind the waitress twice about our coffees (and, as we all know, this is a major component to any brunch, especially those who have enough trouble with daylight hours as it is...)

I guess at this point, even mentioning the fact they forgot our water order as well, is redundant. I hope the wait staff were not completely surprised when I contested the 'service charge'. I am not usually this bitter, I just didn't like Villandry. Food wasn't special, it was way overpriced, and if you have been reading this far, you already know my thoughts about the service.

betageek

Excellent, if expensive 10th December 2007

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Went to Villandry for a business lunch. The restaurant was crowded (it seems to be something of a canteen for BBC Radio staff - saw various journalists/presenters lunching), but didn't feel cramped, and conversation was possible without straining voices. Good range of food on the daily menu. Starter of pear and bleu d'Auvergne rarebit was really super, and main course of cassoulet was good. My lunch companions both had the fish of the day, which was an apparently excellent bass. Given that the total bill was over £100 for three people drinking only fizzy water, I'm glad that I was taken as a guest. However, for a business lunch I'd recommend Villandry, and the attached gourmet grocery looks worthy of further experimentation.

JehonaGjurgjeala

Chaos at the slightest hitch 19th August 2007

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Today the Villandy's ordering system crashed, and it took over half an hour for the waiting staff and the kitchen staff to realise that somehting was wrong! Needless to say we waited for ages for our food which, when it arrived, was just about decent. They took 25% off our bill - which sounds decent, but not when we noticed that they had actually had the cheek to add the 12.5% service charge! Unless you are feeling particularly humorous, might as well avoid it.

collector

Villandry is Amazing 27th June 2007

4 found this helpful

I have eaten many times at Villandry. Each time is like the first. The service is great, the range of dishes on the menu is incredible.

Particularly great if the weather is nice, as you can sit outside..

Highly recommended..

harryp

17th May 2007

1 found this helpful

Great place, go for the lunchtime noodles, delicious and @ £4.95 cheaper than a sarnie and crisps at Pret.

ProfMagellan

food was hot - service cold 17th May 2007

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Dinner out for Mrs Magellan and I with some close friends, he a media guru, she a composer of distinction. The media guru, an epicurean
to the core, selected Villandry. The place has changed since it was a small deli and cafe in Marylebone High Street. Now it is a huge food emporium with four separate components: a foodstore, bar, charcuterie cafe and a full restaurant. The media guru had selected the restaurant. First piece of advice: do make sure you are sitting in the right place as the restaurant is somehwhat hidden if you arrive at the Great Portland St entrance. The food was fine - good in fact. Excellent crudites, pea soup, ham hock salad and carpaccio received glowing rports. Mains too worked well: steak tartare, barramundi. The Professor had a bowl of fettucini which was not terribly exciting and was a poor choice. The men consumed their puddings (banana tarte tatin and honeycomb ice cream) with gusto. The wine list was outrageously priced even by greedy London standards. We found a £25 bottle of Maipo which worked well but not much in this range. Chianti Fonterutoli - which is produced by my dear friend the Mazzeis - was on sale for £36 a bottle. In Chianti, you can buy it for 15 euros (less than £10). £36 for a nice everyday Chianti is a bit toppy to say the least. Breads, baked on the premises, wre excellent.
Main criticisms were that the tables are far too close together; so useless for a romantic evening or cofidential discussions. And the service was very slow and very remote. The waiter was quite unengaged. Our happiness was simply not an issue. One curiosity: Mrs Magellan was told that the artichokes were "not good enough to serve". Yet we saw table after table being served artichokes. The waiter claimed that was because there was a late delivery of artcihokes. Mrs Magellan gasped in disbelief as this was 9.00pm in the evening. Finally, the waiter continued to bring bottles of expensive water without asking if we wanted more - this is becoming a nasty London trick which should be stopped. Before you know where you are, there is a £20 charge on the bill for countless bottles of water.
Dinner all in was around £50 a head. Not cheap.
Villandry has potential; but they need to work hard on the service which is well below par and lets down the rather good cooking.