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Cây Tre

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301 Old Street, EC1V 9LA Full details & map

Restaurant: Vietnamese

Time Out says 3 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 19 2011

The distance Cây Tre keeps from Kingsland Road's concentration of Vietnamese restaurants seems to give the place a forward-thinking attitude its near-neighbours lack. Although a few years old, the decor - printed wallpaper, coloured lamps, shiny white furniture - attracts a hipster crowd whose conversations you'll inevitably overhear as you squeeze into the closely packed seating.

The slightly cringe-producing menu descriptions sound like Jamie Oliver wrote them, with their 'piggy grilled aubergine', 'wicked frogs' and 'wokked french beans'. But there's substance behind the style, and in both presentation and execution the food demonstrates that the kitchen has skill.

The repertoire is as lengthy as you'll find anywhere, with the usual selection of soups, salads, rolls, noodles and rice, but there are also plenty of inventive touches - summer rolls are stuffed with duck instead of prawn; there's pomelo salad with dried shrimp; and crab and lobster come as a spicy 'ceviche' salad.

It's the 'meat' section that contains the most unusual items; try the simmered brisket with lemongrass and anise as proof Vietnam can do slow cooking well too. The wine and beer list is intelligent, and for a Vietnamese restaurant, the service can veer dangerously close to friendly.

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Tags: South-East Asia, Vietnamese, Hip factor, East, Shoreditch, Mid-range, Restaurant

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Cây Tre details

Address

Cây Tre

301 Old Street EC1V 9LA

Transport Old Street tube/rail or bus 55, 243

Telephone

020 7729 8662

Cây Tre website

Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Sat. Dinner served 5.30-11pm Mon-Thur; 5.30-11.30pm Fri, Sat. Meals served noon-10.30pm Sun

Main courses £5-£9. Set dinner £20 per person (minimum 2) 2 courses

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children admitted, Booking advisable, Takeaway service

Cây Tre map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 3 ratings)

By hsg - Dec 17 2011

How can this review have a comment from February 2011 when the date stamp says it was posted in October 2011?

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By Dave - Dec 3 2011

3/5

Excellent variety of food. The scallops and monkfish with dill were fantastic. On the negative side, the wine is overpriced, the place is very noisy, and the waiters are keen to move you on.

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By Tim - Feb 10 2011

I ate here last night. The food was incredibly good. The staff were courteous and efficient. I'll definitely be back!

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By Melanie - Jul 11 2010

Some dishes are okay others I would classify as good. I've had better pho, which is the dish I came to try. One note...it was incredibly loud. Louder than some clubs. Not a place to try for a dinner and conversation. The tables are packed together. I would recommend trying to get a table upstairs rather than downstairs which was deafeningly loud.