New Restaurant Review: Cafe VN

By tikichris Last edited 166 months ago
New Restaurant Review: Cafe VN

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Photography by Chris Osburn

Londonist is just back from enjoying an agreeable lunch at Clerkenwell Road's newly opened Vietnamese eatery, Cafe VN. Starting with a course of refreshing and especially flavourful prawn summer rolls (two rolls cut in half, £3.95) and ending with a filling and tasty (if not quite as yummy as those summer rolls) bowl of pork spring roll bun (vermicelli rice noodles, pickled carrots and radish, lettuce, cucumbers and fried shallots served with nuoc cham and three freshly made pork spring rolls, £5.50), we reckon our meal fit snugly in the value-for-money category for lunchtime options and would be keen to return for another go at the menu of “classic and modern” Vietnamese dishes as well as VN's line up of coffees, teas and variety of alcoholic and not bevvies (we tried to order a watermelon bubble tea, but alas they didn't have all the ingredients).

It's a pleasant and airy place. Service seems efficient (however obtaining our bill required some patience). But, is it worth foregoing a visit to Pho on nearby St John St or even trekking west from the Vietnamese mainstays of Old Street and Kingsland Road? Well, don't burn any bridges on your way over, but this newcomer's got what it takes to attract a loyal following of budget-minded munchers in search of flavoursome Indochinese eats. We certainly hope to return soon.

Cafe VN is located at 144 Clerkenwell Road (EC1R 5DP). Check out this “stylish and modern cafe with free WiFi internet access” online at www.cafevn.co.uk.

Last Updated 12 May 2010