The Windmill - Walthamstow

12:54pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

HISTORIANS believe that mankind's use of windmills goes back at least 2,000 years, possibly longer.

Today, many people associate their majestic spinning blades with quaint scenes of rural Holland. But judging by the decor of this Portuguese tapas restaurant, they are pretty popular there as well.

Indeed, the walls are covered in hundreds of framed photos of windmills, perhaps slightly strange, but definitely adding to the homely decor and warm ambience of the place.

This was also helped by some great live music. Throughout the evening a talented guitarist and singer wailed through a variety of acoustic classics which really added to the dining experience.

After taking this all in I soon diverted myself to ordering as much as possible, and was soon tucking in to a wide spread of tapas.

The quality of the food, while very tomato-soaked and oily, was pretty good.

The Peri Peri chicken (£3.95) was well flavoured, the meatballs (£4.95) tender and juicy, the clams Algarve (£4.95) tasty and the artichokes (£3.95) refreshing.

But then I realised - did I actually order all these things? Where was my barbecue chicken? I don't even like artichokes!

The waitress had messed up my order. Well, I thought I would give her the benefit of the doubt. The food in front of me was still very good quality after all. But things deteriorated from there.

As it neared 10pm she seemed to lose interest in us altogether.

Along with two other tables we ended up waiting for what seemed like hours for her to clear our plates and to reluctantly ask if we wanted any desserts.

In the end, everyone had to get up and ask her for the bill, such was her apparent unwillingness to notice us frantically waving our arms at her.

So all in all this was a very nice dining experience spoiled only by the sloppy service, something which can and should be easily be rectified.

THE WINDMILL
18 High Street,
Walthamstow,
E17 7LD

TEL: 020 8521 8544

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