Vietfood, Chinatown

Confused over which restaurant to eat at in Chinatown?  Well the Chinese may be a little irked to hear that London's latest Vietnamese restaurant, Vietfood, provides a strong contender for the best restaurant in the area!

What.../ We no longer have to traipse to Hoxton for great Vietnamse food with the launch of Vietfood! Who.../ Chef/Proprietor Jeff Tan is seen as one of the UK's top Asian chefs.  Amongst his impressive achievements is his 3 years as Chef de Cuisine at Hakkasan Mayfair during which time the restaurant was awarded a coveted Michelin Star. The Vibe.../ Set over two floors, the large high ceilinged rooms are flooded with natural light from huge sash windows and skylights.  Floors are a mixture of oak boards and vintage tiles, walls are mottled light grey and exposed brickwork with matching open fireplaces.  There's a strong industrial feel to the venue which is juxtaposed with antique furniture and curiosities. The Menu.../ There's sooo much goodness on the menu, it's difficult to explain where to start. Firstly, think large steaming bowls of Pho or Bun noodles, expertly made from twelve hour simmered bone marrow stock or delicately flavoured chicken broth; varieties include Flash fried fillet steak with garlic Hainan style, King prawn, Spicy brisket and Mushroom to name a few.  Delve a little deeper, and you'll find a host of other delectable dishes including the sensational Smokey spiced quail and wonderfully crisp and aromatic Soft shell crab. Brimming with confidence, you may even feel compelled to order one of Jeff's signature Crispy seafood balls with parmesan mint cheese. Don't. Don't get me wrong - it's not bad; it's just a bit dull compared to the incredible array of more traditional dishes that are not only beautifully presented but packed full of flavour, texture and bite. Oh, and value is spot on too.  It's pretty easy to walk out stuffed and happy for under £15-£20/head. We went and here's why you should go.../ Outside of Kingsland Road in Hoxton, the wonders of Vietnamese food are incredibly under-represented in London.  Vietfood goes a long way to correct this imbalance, with delicious food, a lively vibe and affordable prices. Where.../ Vietfood 34 – 36 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QT www.vietnamfood.co.uk