Cay Tre

Cay Tre is one of a series of Vietnamese restaurants at the Old Street/Kingsland Rd end of Shoreditch. Having only previously been to the very good Viet Hoa, I've no way of comparing it to the local competition, but as a late-night, cheapish and supremely tasty option it was the business and certainly deserves both the red and green stars awarded in the Time Out guide. We shared a couple of plates of pleasingly greasy spring rolls, before moving onto two beef dishes (about which I know little, though I liked the way that they surrounded the plates with alcohol and lit it, so that the dish sizzled, as seen in the photo) and, for me, deep-fried tofu in a tomato and aromatic mushroom sauce, along with sides of rice and super-fine noodles with beansprouts. The tofu had a great, rippable texture and the sauce probably wins out on the most-garlicky sauce I've ever eaten award. This is by no means a criticism because the garlic was well-cooked and it seemed to fit this really robust, comforting dish. With a few Saigon beers, Merovingian picked up a tab of about £45 after service, which seemed excellent as the portions were large, the service was really prompt and it was one of those meals where the restaurant got everything right. I'll be back...