Tay Do Restaurant - (Near Tower Hamlets, london)

Alice Gee Its a low key neighnbourhood Italian in Bethnal Green that probably mostly supplies locals with pizzas, but is a surprisingly terrific restaurant. Not living in the area, we were last here maybe eight years ago, but I still remember the pasta alla vongole I had on that occasion. Weve been to a lot of more expensive, and more famous Italians in London, but this place really reminds me of eating at trattorias on vacation in Italy. Simple menu, terrific ingredients cooked in a way you can taste the individual components, and everything homemade. They do serve dried pasta, which I actually prefer because its texture is more chewy. My companion had the bruschetta to start followed by the burrata served on a bed of grilled vegatables. Both of his starters came with a fantastic focaccia which had big airy bubbles toasted to a crisp. There was a tiny drizzle of pesto on the burrata that looked bright green and tasted homemade. I didnt taste the bruschetta, but my companion praised the sparing use of red onion in the tomato mix, making it perfectly balanced. I had the scialatelli alla vongole, of course, with a side of the grilled vegetable salad with goat cheese. I asked them to just bring both dishes as ready because I didnt want to eat them in sequence. Thats exactly how I got them, with the grilled veg first, and the pasta maybe 5 minutes later to eat along side. My partner got his two starters in non overlapping sequence, exactly as requested as well. The vongole was great. There were maybe 8 clams in shells decorating the dish but plenty more shelled clams stirred through the pasta. The clams were perfectly cooked and still tender and juicy. I liked the restrained use of fresh cherry tomato sauteed in olive oil, which didnt dominate. I could taste the good quality olive oil. The thick scialatelli was delightfully chewy. It wasnt quite as spectacular as the version I ate on my last visit eight years ago, which included an unorthodox quantity of garlic. Maybe next time I will ask if the current chef is willing to put in a little garlic for me. The grilled vegetable salad with a thin slice of toasted goat cheese was excellent. On top of the mixed green salad there were slices of grilled courgette, grilled eggplant and very sweet strips of peeled red pepper. I was happy to note that the roasted pepper was homemade, having no hint of the acidic preservatives that peeled roast peppers from a jar has. The cheapest bottles of wine are £29 and £30, and dinner including a bottle of red came to £78. Music and noise levels are low. There was an 80s pop soundtrack playing during our visit. We will definitely be back and wont wait eight years before our next visit.

Caroline Aherne We went for lunch, and would do it all again. Started with Irish oysters, light cheese puffs covered with parmesan, a zesty orange & radiccio salad, tender veal ossobuco, gremolata & buttery roast potatoes. Followed by sticky pavlova, rhubarb and pistachios on a pistachio sauce. Staff were friendly and efficient. The restaurant atmosphere was relaxed - they also have another room (for bigger groups), from where you can watch chefs in action. Lots of wine choices and cocktails too.

Lara Carol I am regular customer since I moved in the area, take away or eat in NonnaMaria never disappoint me. I love the atmosphere when i visit the restaurant and the food is always top notch. Thank you

L Lan I have been coming to Hanoi Cafe for years - whenever I am in the area, I choose this place every time! I love the family and woman who runs the restaurant, she is wonderful! The food is great and the staff are lovely and accommodating. I feel welcome every time - thank you for all the wonderful food you make and for the warm atmosphere you welcome your customers with, its like eating at home :)

Magda Looze I spent nice afternoon with friends in this restaurant. Nice and friendly staff, very good food and good price. Good atmosphere. Recommend and definitely we are going to back there. ❤️

Charlene Anne My son and I visited the farm and then stopped over for lunch after an afternoon in the rain.One couldnt imagine this obscure spot in the heart of London. For lunch we had pumpkin soup and for pudding, caramalised apple cake. The business is family run and the staff are friendly, attentive and helped with a phone charger when my battery was running out. It was busy but not so much as to put you off. The restaurant has plenty of character - walls are adorned with used pans as decor, and evocative art. The music complemented the calm atmosphere. We also bought the bread, which one of the members of the staff told us was a family recipe which was passed down for generations.