VIET HOA: MAD ABOUT THE GOI

A change of plan again tonight. I had wanted an early supper at Blossom, my favourite of the neighbouring sushi places. Unfortunately, for reasons far too dull to expound upon here, that option was not open to me, so I trudged from the achingly trendy corner of Hoxton Sq, the few short minutes around the corner to the bottom of The Kingsland Rd, a lot less trendy but home to any number of Vietnamese restaurants.

They range from the actively horrible ( Song Que Cafe - admittedly on one try ) to the rather good and I chose to have my supper in The Viet Hoa cafe which is pretty widely considered to be the best of the bunch.

It was already reasonably full when I arrived so I plonked myself at the end of one of the benches and ordered some tea.

To begin, some Summer rolls. Not a good example of the art! The trouble with eating early for supper and ordering these is that you often get the leftovers from lunch. I suspect that is what happened here. Slightly rubbery and soft without the neecessary crunch.

Better were my two main courses. Fried squid in a cornstarch coating and a Shredded chicken & Prawn Goi. The Goi in particular was just what I wanted. Sharp dressing with crisp fresh vegetables. The squid was a little bland so I am afraid I made too liberal a use of the chilli condiments which is going to be an issue in the morning, I am sure you appreciate knowing.

Hardly a mindblowing culinary experience, but a suitable light supper and for £15 inc service, decent value.

So, although I still would have rather gone to Blossom, to paraphrase someone incredibly famous " I ain't got no quarrel with the Viet Hoa"