The Woodford, one of the most celebrated restaurants to have opened within walking distance of Wanstead, has closed after its operator went into administration.
The Caterer reports that lunch customers were ushered out of the restaurant on Wednesday whereupon the locks were changed.
The restaurant won plaudits in its first few months, under head chef Ben Murphy who left earlier this year. Situated in the old Funky Mojoe/White Hart building, it became a large restaurant though perhaps too costly for somewhere many Tube stops away from central London.
They were to pricey! Thats what you get for being greedy.
Dawn Sullivan. No surprise there then!
What a shame, but more style than substance. West end prices for a south woodford post code!
shame i booked to take you on Saturday
Doubtful!!!
Price does not equate to greed – why should high end food have to be just in the west end. If you had any idea of the amount of staff and costs involved in turning out food to such a high standard.
I do understand what you are saying Dan. It is a shame when a local restaurant closes. I must admit we visited the restaurant on one occasion and wasn’t impressed with the food (it didn’t have the wow factor, pretty average) or the staff! We may have got it on a poor night!
It was a brave attempt to bring high end to the burbs – I remember making a show about restaurants – you do everything to get your first star, the second lifts to you new heights and the third will bankrupt you.
I expect to pay more in the west end not because the quality of food is greater but because of location, rent and rates costs.
Shame, I went several times and always had great food and service! Was meant to be going back tomorrow night….
I heard it is turning into Gastro Pub? shame for the owners and chef, hope they can turn it around.
godamnit! We had a voucher that we didn’t get around to using (given to us because of an awful 1st experience)
I preferred the old White Hart when it was a proper pub with proper people in it.
Nicola Golledge-Cousins
Did you think the pricing was bad?
Not really, we want early on, not sure if the prices went up
Jenny I’ve heard it will be a steak restaurant…. only been closed a day and the rumour mill is already in overdrive ððð
Will it be the same owners Em?
Hate to see effort go to waste.
Apparently so! Will tell you when I see you. X
Emma D’Arcy! Very surprised.
Oh no! Really was looking forward to going back. Only for special occasions really!
Real shame, I like loved the atmosphere and food! The pricing wasn’t actually as bad as I thought tbh x
Jason…I did think it was a bit dear for what it was but a real shame
Not related to Wanstead…move on folks.
Nothing to do with price and everything to do with losing your talented head chef who was the reason people were going there in the first place. In my opinion.
Average overpriced food. I have had much better meals in the Manor House and the Duke (Which are in Wanstead..)
And also the chef they replaced him with was a nobody and they kept the prices the same. Michael Sanders have you tried Grand Trunk Road yet?
Bugger, never got round to going…
Good it was overpriced and shite
Very sorry but the chef left in October, probably because he knew it was unstable financially. I think the backers got greedy. Thankfully the chef Ben has just been appointed to a Kensington restaurant.
“Ben Murphy has been appointed as head chef of D&D Londonâs Launceston Place in Kensington, following his departure from the Woodford In October last year.”
He was going on a holiday when we last visited
In September and the head waiter said an odd thing about him “we are hoping he comes back after his holiday haha etc”
Shame, lovely restaurant and loss to the area