Windmill Tapas Restaurant

very enjoyable evening at the Windmill Restaurant in Walthamstow. The food is superb and the service we found to be friendly and efficient. Some other reviewers have noted the owner's attitude but from what we saw he was absolutely fine - friendly and helpful. The tapas dishes are quite large - we ordered bread and olives to start and then 6 dishes (as recommended by our waitress) for our mains, but next time we go we're thinking it would better to have maybe two or three dishes to start, take our time, and order more later. We enjoyed patatas bravas (delicious), lamb stew, sardines, squid and chorizo, prawns, and grilled halloumi and we were stuffed. Under £40 with wine, unbelievable value.
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Dr&MrsV - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Decent local restaurant

Having just moved to Walthamstow, my partner and I thought we would try out a local restaurant. overall we were very happy.

I found the service OK, a little chilly at first but after a while we started chatting to the owner and the waitress.

All the food was nicely prepared but the Tapas is rather large....we had nice dishes which was too much food us.

For me this is an ideal local restaurant, cheap homemade style food. Nothing earth shaking but a reasonable meal at a reasonable price. 5 big tapas +Bread+olives+1 bot Prosecco less than £40
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Schukhan
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 17, 2011

I enjoy eating out and have on more than one occasion been to the Windmill with between 10-20 friends celebrating birthdays; including my own. I think the food is on the whole good value for money, and I must say it was amongst my favourite locals for eating out. HOWEVER, and it is a big however, we have on two occasions, and we aren't alone, encountered the rude and arrogant attitude of the owner, in fact I can state categorically that on principle I shall not eat there again. Recently we asked for a table for two and thought quite reasonably we might be able to stand at the bar for the 10 minutes we expected to wait for a table to be free, however when we politely asked the owner if this would be possible he looked us up and down and said no, no sorry, no explanation, just a surly no. On another occasion we were left waiting for over half an hour for drinks, when my friend went to enquire, rather than simply apologise the owner decided to argue with him. We had previously been told of others who had encountered his rudeness whilst eating there with their teenage children. Anyway, considering the custom he has had from us I am particularly put out by his rudeness and will be telling others of my/our experiences.
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Angela Wint
5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The recent hostile reviewer is welcome to their opinion but I really dont think it reflects the experience of the vast number of diners at the Windmill.

This is a very good restaurant and many others could learn from it - be it in Walthamstow Village or beyond.

The food is straightforward and simple. And very varied - as tapas should be. It is also mightly tasty. Full of flavour and spice. And the atmosphere befitting that of a good local diner. Pleasantly decorated. Subtle lighting. The music adding as opposed to taking away from the ambience.

That's not to say that it is without fault. The regular turnover of East-European waitresses doesnt help. And frankly Jose should ensure a bit more continuity as the service can be patchy. Particularly when the place is full which is often the case. I prefer to go early week unless when with a large group - in which case the boisterous environment is perfect.

Another moan would be pricing which when the bill arrives seems to have nudged a bit higher. However I feel that this is the case across the food industry? It's sad as for me it has led to me eating out as often. A few years back you would grab a good meal for two for £40... too often this seems to break the old nifty. I hope this shift doesnt continue. Please note Jose.

Seriously though. I would always recommend this as a great place to eat.
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Central Walthamstow resident
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, September 01, 2011

Having been taken to The Windmill last Christmas (Dec 2010) by a new friend and having had a great time, wonderful food, excellent service - I told many of my friends and colleagues about this gem of a find! I therefore took this same friend there last Friday night (29th July 2011) as his birthday treat. The waitress was "new" and could neither speak nor understand English to any reasonable standard, for instance she did not know that HOT CHOCOLATE contained milk... I enquired whether they did slimline tonics - she did not know what that meant?! The service was ABSOLUTELY appalling, absent in fact, and a part-timer who used to work there full-time had to come and sort out our orders!

The starter I requested of roasted veg in a madeira sauce arrived sloshing around in oil and what apparently was some sort of liqueur - it looked like a type of soup, and I fished out the veggies to my side plate as did not want to make a fuss, as my friend whose birthday treat this was, hates any sort of complaints in restaurants and I had already reprimanded the 'new waitress' who had to consult with the part-timer before she understood TAP WATER.. My friend's tortilla was very tasty he said, and indeed it was nicely presented. The main course of their imported Portuguese fish was OK but not anywhere nearly as delicious or fresh as at Xmas, and was covered with a very thick batter! My friend had sea bass and said it was very tasty and it looked edible.. \ I mentioned this the next day (yesterday) to some of my colleagues, who said they too had discovered the downward slide of this formerly gem of a place and would not go there again!

A meal for 2 cost me £60 with wine (without a tip, which I felt was not deserved - although I was unable to see if this was included as the itemisation was indecipherable.. I really felt cheated because we rarely go to expensive restaurants now, and for that price could have had a really delicious meal with excellent service in the West End - or even in the area, like Woodford or Loughton for instance.\ So, I am sorry Jose - there are many better places around who deliver excellent service (this is not the time to economise on employing young girls in a PR capacity who cannot speak or understand English and know nothing about food and drink!)... I have unfortunately not been able to give recent feedback to those I recommended The Windmill to, and hope they will read my review before going.. But I certainly will tell those I see what a disappointing eaterie this has become and not at all compatible with the menu on the web, which the owner said he had not yet had time to update?! The restaurant was two-thirds empty throughout Friday night, which I commented upon to the owner, who put it down to the recession.

The next day (Saturday 30th July) when chatting to a friend about this costly and unpleasant experience, she said she had had come to the same conclusion herself about a month ago. I have also telephoned the owner this morning, to tell him of my negative review and went through this with him, but he was defensive and it seemed he did not particularly care - so perhaps it will close down soon? I should be interested to read recent reviews.
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Margarita
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Sunday, July 31, 2011

Goodness gracious me. Walthamstow has a decent restaurant! ...Oh please.

In my experience some of the best food to be found in London is in those areas populated by new emigres. You would never know from the restaurant facade which usually just seems to be a normal cafe.

Decent, home style cooking at affordable prices. Puts many of the good restaurants in the so called decent areas to shame.

Try south London for excellent South American food or Turkish gems in the north of the city.

As for Walthamstow. It has, IMHO, not one but two of the best Tapas restaurants in London. The Windmill has fantastic Portuguese food and the lunch offers are not to be missed. It's like being invited to eat by a local on your holiday to Madeira. Rustic food in a rustic setting. Brilliant. The service varies from waitress to waitress and from Jose's, the owner's mood, but that is part of the charm.

The other is the Orford Saloon Tapas Bar which is more up market and serves the most delicious authentic Spanish Tapas. The service is always excellent and you often need to book in advance even on a quiet Tuesday.

Go on, try Walthamstow… you might even avoid getting mugged!
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Living with the real people in NW3 - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 03, 2011

The restaurant being in Walthamstow really put me off, its just not the place you go out and eat. But after reading the reviews, i thought i have to try this one.

My goodness the food is absolutely delicious and plentiful. Never did i ever expect top quality cooking in Walthamstow.

Well done cook, its the best tapas for us in Noth London.

Can't wait to go back.
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irene and deniz ahmet
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A lovely little restaurant with very friendly staff. The food is lovely - I particularly recommend their all-day breakfast.

The only complaint I have is that they don't accept debit or credit cards, which in this day and age is almost completely unacceptable.
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Nick Jordan
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, November 26, 2010

This restaurant is fantastic, the food is absolutely delicious and if you shut your eyes you would truely believe you were in Portugal. I have been going there once every couple of months for the last 5 years, whether it's for a quick bite or a special occasion, it never fails to deliver! The staff are very welcoming and the option to bring your own wine is good, although their own wine list is large and you can get an informed recommendation on which wine would best accompany your meal. An absolute credit to Walthamstow, if only there were more restaurants like this!
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Startattoo
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, November 12, 2010

Fantastic!!! Excellent service,and most importantly the food is deliciousand tastes as if it is made with love.Having just moved to the area we are delighted to find such a fab restaurant.
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Bex
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 30, 2010