This week we were invited to try out the new menu at The Village pub on Orford Road in Walthamstow village. It’s a few years since we’ve been in there. The pub was recently closed for three weeks for a big refurbishment and now it’s looking great. The whole place, including the little snug at the back, has been painted and updated; new lighting, bar stripped back and the floors done, but they’ve tried to make sure the traditional pub feel was maintained.

The biggest change and improvement is in the garden. The beer garden out back now has a non-smoking raised terrace proving wheelchair access. Then a few steps down take you to loads of open air tables, and a couple of covered seating areas. The centre piece on chilly evenings is a massive, log-burning fire-pit.

The friendly managers Carl and Tom, and their team behind the bar, were doing a great job keeping the customers happy in a packed pub on a Saturday night. As a free-house, there’s a rack of craft ale taps and a wide range of wines, beers and softies – though they could do with stocking some more interesting softies such as Fentimans, or Square Root Soda from Hackney.  We went for a pint of Beavertown Gamma Ray an easy drinking, juicy American pale ale brewed in Tottenham and a Pepsi. Surprisingly there’s a trusting, open beer fridge in the pub where you help yourself to a glass and a beer then go and pay at the bar. Happily this includes a couple of alcohol-free beers and an Old Mout cider.

The menu has been over-hauled too, and there’s some week night burger special deals and a lunchtime offer of a drink and a main for £6.

​On Saturday night we’d had a busy day so we deserved some classic pub comfort food. We chose the House Burger and Fish and Chips. The burger came as described – a deliciously thick  beef pattie in a pretzel bun (I’m so sick of sweet brioche buns ruining a decent burger).  It was generously topped with smokey bacon, Bourbon BBQ sauce, and Monterey Jack cheese, tomato, red onion and lettuce served with chips – £11.00. Well cooked, messy in a lick-your-fingers kind of way, and very tasty.

The fish and chips was crispy battered fish (not sure what fish it was), chips and mushy peas.  Again it was a tasty, good sized plate of food for only £11. There’s bar snacks, veggie and vegan dishes, nachos sharing platters, desserts and a kids menu too. Heartily recommend for an evening in the beer garden or a relaxing weekend burger and beer.

The Village, 31 Orford Road, Walthamstow Village, London E17 9NL 0208 521 4398, we’re always happy to hear from you.