Ted wings it

… and flies high. Pay close attention now if you want to find the best best best chicken wings ever … and imho the most fabulous Vietnamese food that I've actually eaten in London … and no it’s not to be found in the long established Vietnamese restaurant enclave of Kingsland and Hackney. Tucked away at the top end of what has long been a market stall street in Islington worthy of the east end geezers who inhabit it, and as is so typically London that it also sports a Sunday Farmers Market, you will find the Little Viet Kitchen.

It’s the pride and joy of chef Thuy Pham-Kelly and her hubby Dave Kelly, who started out running supper clubs and then took their courage in their hands and followed their dream and set up this rather handsome little gem of a restaurant. I was wandering around the area completely by chance last Sunday and I saw people sitting outside and inside (peering through the very clean windows) and everyone was smiling and making loads of “yum, yum, yum” and “this is delicious” noises and smiling a lot (another Ted test passed).

I was greeted by the charming waitress who said “welcome” and recommended “anything” and then showed me her £1 collection that she said she was hoping to increase today if she was a good waitress.  How could I resist ... 

Eyeing up the menu hungrily would I have whole soft shell tempura crab, or spring rolls, or crispy tofu and then I spotted them … the lemon-grass chicken wings … deal done!!!  What should I have for a main – the slightly bigger waitress said “long braised shorthorn rib is today’s special and it’s my favourite” ... again deal done. I could have had Pork Belly, coconut and lemon-grass curry with meat or vegetarian, noodles and rice dishes or something I rarely pass up – the crispy pancake which I like with the works.

Pretty much everything on the menu is gluten free which is a real bonus.  As I was on “shanks pony” and had to negotiate a large supermarket on a Sunday afternoon, I thought it best not to imbibe (mistake as it turns out). Tastily there were several gin and tonics, aperitifs & cocktails, postprandial drinks, and a small and very well formed selection of wines and beers on offer to compliment the food and enhance the overall enjoyment.

So tell us how you really felt Ted … well you know how I felt about the chicken wings already (and I'm a HUGE but very picky chicken wing fan) the beef was superb, soft and meaty, flavoursome, the textural balance with the coconut rice with tiny pieces of fried onion and garlic and a runny egg just spot on ... I licked the plate.

My only regret about going to LVT … I didn’t have room for desert. Like Arnie "I'll be back" ...