Village East of Bermondsey (Bermondsey)

• Village East is one of the busiest restaurants in London
• The restaurant is easy to find
• I ordered the Fish and Chips which I was told were their signature dish and after tasting it I realized why it was so
• When their avocado and bacon sandwich is an absolute delight
• As their bloody marys are among the best in London
• Went for brunch at Village East first time back since its big interior makeover (during which it was closed for most of the summer)
• Have to say I was not impressed
• The food felt very factory line scrambled eggs on sour dough toast should be a pretty easy dish to get right but the toast was two tiny bits of what tasted like standard baguette
• Staff is very not polite and because it's crammed with seats waiters would accidentally hit you every 5 minutes
• Trendy decor and fancy loos shame food was just not up to scratch
• A few weeks back we met a friend here for breakfast who was staying in the area
• I'm so glad she suggested here as there are so many hidden gem cafes and restaurants in the area
• The coffee was so great and so smooth that I had 2
• I do love a 'big breakfast' and I'm normally a keen meat eater so I was about nervous about the vegetarian version but I was certainly not disappointed
• The clear standout was the delicious halloumi and roasted tomatoes
• On a very gentrified street in Bermondsey is Village East
• Ran by the same people as Riding House Cafe the decor is very similar
• The hostess at the door was not very friendly &
• The onion bread was insane it was a such a great flavour we also had whipped feta which was delicious
• They came accompanied with bacon salt an absolute stroke of genius
• The wine list was long but with some good prices options
• It just seems very pleased with itself I feel like I've been there done that &
• Village East provides the perfect ambiance for nice meal and drinks with friends or a good place for getting down to work
• All have the same beautiful vintage feel with lovely wood floors that remind me of a country cottage
• The meeting section is more secluded and ideal for conversation
• The tasting was held in The Garrison
• As it was really relaxed with lots of participation from the guests and interaction with the hosts taking us through the tastings
• It was made clear that there was no right or wrong answer
• Our sommelier was Giles James
• My obsession with egg based dishes knows no limits
• I also find brunches to be rather classy and have this unique ability of making me feel as if life is worth living despite tube strikes
• What I particularly love doing is meeting the people behind these brands
• A couple of weeks ago I headed to Village East on Bermondsey Street for a private dinner with the family who own and run Venezuelan rum brand
• The evening started with one of the best cocktails I've had in a while
• I don't know if it was that I wasn't expecting to actually like it as I'm not a fan of sweet cocktails (which I thought it would be)
• Or that it was so unlike anything I've tried
• A little bit sweet from the almond but with a sour tang from the lime and bitters
• With delicious cheesy gluten free toast went exceptionally well with some requested chilli jam on the side
• Village East is a great restaurant to go for brunch/lunch with friends
• Head south over London Bridge and most veer to the right where there is the established borough market and restaurant presence
• The only reason to go left is if you are a local and have the down low on what's happening of your pockets are full of cash to visit the Shard and it's exuborant offerings
• The venue itself is very contemporary in it's style with a touch of industrialism
• Leather bound booths with natural wood tables are dotted around the area
• On the Saturday evening we visited it was suitably busy with clientele who would fit firmly on the Bumble app professional
• The dishes are moderately priced and the food is quite wholesome and practical
• We went for a chopped salad with chicken and chilli squid
• I had stuffed chicken supreme with gournay cheese
• What I will say is a huge plus
• Is that they are dog friendly if you sit to the front by the windows which is really cool
• Brilliant venue with excellent atmosphere

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