Village East is a non-descript brunch place tucked away in East London that is so unassuming, one could easily miss it. A recent recommendation from a good friend, meant a brunch trip there. Was it any good? Time to find out…
Ideal for:
Those looking for some variety in the menu
A cozy spot for a weekend brunch
Weekend date
Ambience & Décor
The medley of cheap and weathered wooden fixtures, exposed red brick walls and dim lighting, gave the venue that shabby chic look that is in keeping with the gentrification the area has undergone. A hipster’s paradise. The open kitchen was the pièce de résistance. Whilst the décor may polarise, the ambience was on point. Sunday brunch was packed without being raucous, so good vibes.
Service
Service was hit and miss. At times they were on the ball, and other times felt forgotten. The table had dietary requirements, and even though they checked to see what we was palatable, it did not fill me with confidence. As expected, they got a dish wrong, much to our chagrin.
Food
A millennial’s brunch favourite; smashed avocado, sourdough, dill salsa, hazelnut & seed dukkah (left). The dish was the best avocado and toast I have had in a while. It all tasted really fresh, nice bit of heat and copious amounts of flavour. Sourdough can be stale, but this was still quite moist. For £7.50, the portion seemed good value.
The second dish was the buttermilk pancakes, berry compote & clotted cream (right). Whilst the compote and clotted cream were delicious accompaniments, the pancakes were inconsistent. Tasty and terrible on the same plate. Given that pancakes are a staple brunch food, they needed to deliver, but felt short. Visually, it looked so appealing hence the disappointment was magnified.
Village East’s brunch service looked promising. A chic interior, extensive menu and great vibe. However, the service was average and the food was inconsistent. Whilst the avocado was good, this unassuming restaurant was forgettable. In the end, a solid C rating.
Photos of Village East and more can be found on Instagram here.
Final grade: C
Final comment: In the world of Sunday brunch, Village East needs a re-think.
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