The Village Idiot is my new local, having moved to the are a few months go. The beer selection here is extensive and reasonably priced, and the service is pretty prompt. I love how every beer is served in its own glass, which is rare these days.
In terms of the space and decor, it's a bit on the dark and dingy side but gets the job done. It can get very cold if you're sitting by the window during winter, so be warned. There is lots of seating though, so no worries there.
One thing that didn't impress me was the quality of the food. We stopped by for dinner and a beer and both ordered pasta, one with chicken and one linguini special. Both were very salty and the meat had a processed taste and was pretty dry and bland.
Overall, The Village Idiot is a decent bet for a few drinks but I won't be ordering food again any time soon. Head to Chinatown or Kensington Market for better food at lower prices. There are also plenty of pubs near John & Queen that do pub food much better.