Chinese New Year is one of the most popular festivals of the year and is a night when many Londoners might indulge in a Chinese takeaway.
Chinese food is scrumptious, moreish and the perfect way to start the weekend – whatever the season.
However, if you’re not careful with your selections, you could be caught out with some restaurants not scoring the best in regards to food hygiene.
For more news and features about London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
Green Villa, Chinese takeaway in Cricklewood, Barnet currently holds just one star on the Food Standards Agency food hygiene ratings.
A rating of 1 means that major improvement is required.
0 = Urgent improvement necessary
1 = Major improvement necessary
2 = Improvement necessary
Ratings can be checked on the FSA website here.
There are a number of reasons why some businesses may struggle with food hygiene and it doesn’t necessarily mean the food sold will be of a poorer quality.
However, TripAdvisor reviews of Green Villa are also decidedly mixed with two of its four reviews being marked as ‘terrible’.
One unfortunate customer wrote: “Where do I start: – oily food – uncooked vegetables – not green curry but oil curry – poor customer service do not order from this restaurant.”
Green Villa’s reputation is mixed
(Image: MyLondon)
Another agreed: “This is without a shadow of a doubt the worst Chinese food I have ever tasted.”
Naturally, this peaked our curiosity – what would eating a Chinese at a restaurant with a food hygiene rating of one taste like?
There was only one way to find out.
‘No refunds’
There was no sign of the 1 star rating
(Image: MyLondon)
When I arrived at Green Villa to pick up my order I quickly scanned the storefront for evidence of their 1 star accreditation.
As you might expect, the poor rating isn’t something that would entice customers in and I could see no sign of it.
I did however catch sight of a handmade sign stating that the takeaway had a strict no refund or return rule which struck me as foreboding.
Is this the sort of establishment where food is routinely sent back?
The inside of the takeaway
(Image: MyLondon)
I took my order home through the cold February night and unpackaged it to have a look at the contents.
I had opted for the classic no thrills English combination of Sweet and Sour Chicken Hong Kong Style, Beef and Chilli Basil and Prawn Toast.
This had come to the not unreasonable price of £15.60 but I’m afraid to say the quality was sorely lacking.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
‘Oily and undercooked’
My food
(Image: MyLondon)
We’ll start with the prawn toast as its presentation was the most egregious.
They had been served, and I shudder as I write this, in a oily bag.
I know – I was shocked too.
Everyone knows the best way to serve prawn toast is in a container which ensures the crispness of the bread.
The prawn toast was undercooked
(Image: MyLondon)
The only thing that can be reasonably served in a bag is spring rolls and at a push onion bhajis.
Away from the presentation, they were undercooked and tasteless – we hadn’t got off to a good start.
What’s the best Chinese in North London? Let us know in the comments here.
Is there anything better than good sweet and sour chicken?
The chicken was revolting
(Image: MyLondon)
I moved on to the Sweet and Sour Chicken which was far too luminous for my liking and again, suspiciously soft.
The chicken had absolutely nothing to it and the sauce was far too watery.
Good sweet and sour chicken, as many of us know, is one of the most appealing dishes around.
If you’re not careful with your portions you can easily get through a whole box on your own and still crave more.
As a binge-eater myself I was cautious with my portions, but in all honesty I didn’t get the kick out of it I was expecting and had no real desire to gorge.
The beef was OK but very oily
(Image: MyLondon)
Maybe we can put the whole episode down to a rough batch, but it’s hard to say.
The meal did at least end on a positive note as the beef dish was very nice, if a little oily.
Do you have a story? You can get in touch, in complete confidence if necessary, below:
Follow John, or drop him a direct message, on Twitter here.
Follow his Facebook page here.
Email him on [email protected].
Keep up to date with the latest breaking news here.
Like the MyLondon Facebook page and follow MyLondon on Twitter
A pretty wretched experience
Overall, my Green Villa experience was not a happy one.
I wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to Chinese food, and I won’t stand for mediocrity.
It gives no great pleasure to say that the prawn toast and sweet and sour chicken dishes were both the worst I have ever eaten anywhere, and I’ve eaten a lot of Chinese.
The beef was passable, but it couldn’t rescue what was a pretty wretched experience.
MyLondon approached Green Villa but they declined to comment.
