Mien Tay

Have tried most of the Vietnamese restaurants in this area and finally got around to the Mien Tay restaurant, which was highly recommended by Time Out. I don't know why, it was truly awful. The restaurant has expanded into the shop next door, which is where they asked us to sit. Unfortunately the decoration is still unfinished, so it felt as if we were sitting in a building site. It was cold as well.

The service wasn't good: they tried to rush us, and completely forgot about the squid starter. The food itself was terrible: the ribs were mostly fat, the squid (when it arrived) was bland, the chicken dish was mostly onions. the rice was broken up into many little pieces (so seemed more like cous-cous), and the shaking beef wasn't shaking at all, it had no life or flavour to it whatsoever. The portions of all of them were on the mean side (probably a good thing in retrospect).

Visiting a restaurant is not just about the food, it is about the whole experience: the ambience of the place, the service, and about how comfortable the diner feels. This particular experience left a very nasty taste in the mouth: both literally and figuratively. The disappointment and feeling of being ripped-off was very strong.

Based on this visit, one wonders how this place attracts customers at all.
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Subterraneo
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, December 17, 2011

Unwelcoming atmosphere and a burden! Sadly it is so damaging to what was suppose to be a fun evening meeting with friends! I arrived early and my 4 friends were running late. Manageress insisted on seating us in a small corner table barely large enough for 3 let alone for 5. So immediately there is a hostile atmosphere created when i said that we are too large a crowd to squashed in that corner. Next comes the constant harrassment on if there going to be more people arriving. Finally 10 mins late, 2 friends arrived and the other 2 very late. More awkward harrassment on if there are 2 more to arrive. We placed starters order and ordered a bottle of wine to pacify the manageress and anxious waiters. The restaurant was busy but not packed, there was always a spare table downstairs. Service was just awful with sloppy food delivered at the table. It is the last time i will visit this place and will let others know it is an unpleasant experience. What a shame that the boss is more concerned with other issues than to make her restaurant more welcoming with better service with a smile. Its more service with a sneer!
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2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Sunday, November 06, 2011

UPDATE.I wanted to see exactly what they were doing now they were licenced and I was hungry for more vietnamese food so I went there last sunday to see.

There is a sign on the door just saying "We are now licenced". It was not as full as previous Sundays and plenty of free tables.

Inside it was obvious many were still bring their own drinks. A sign on the wall repeated that they were now licenced and had at the bottom in very small writing "We encourage any alcohol but not soft drinks". I felt comfortable with my wine bottle.

When the bill came it was not itemised but was now split into two figures meals and drinks. The drinks showed £5-10p. We had only ordered one carrot juice. I therefore would guess the juice was £1-10 and there is a corkage charge of £2 per person. Or perhaps the juice was £2-10 and corkage of £1-50 per person? Nothing on their web site or the menu so its a try it and see situation!

Still lovely food though!
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Tony Glazier
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Tiny restaurant, packed to the gills, terrible decor, fairly disorganised staff... but absolutely delicious food. And cheap. Better than Song Que and would definitely go again.
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Wendy
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 14, 2011

I have been to this restaurant very often over the last year to the point that most of the staff recognise me even though its very busy.

My reviews try to be helpful and give a true vision of what the restaurant and diners are like. For a start, this is a casual place with no suits or ties. Most people are 20s and 30s and friends rather than partners. There is virtually no grey hair to be seen! But anyone would be welcomed. Be aware that everyone eating there seems comfortable using chopsticks so buy some and practice before you go, its all part of the fun!

Next, it is very busy! You may well have to wait to be seated and they dont seem to have an operating booking system! I have waited for an hour on a Saturday evening!

Now the food! The menue is long and although numbered, the numbers are different in different versions of the menu. You cannot order by number either! You can order in Vietnamese or as most do in English which is written down on the order pad in Vietnamese. Its pretty chaotic and starters dont always come before main dishes! As soon as its cooked it is brought to the table, you soon get used to this and begin to like it as it ensures its fresh. Much of the fun is to pick at each dish in turn rather than have them all together.

Most starters are £4-£6 each and main courses £5-£9 each. There is little difference between starter and mains in terms of size so a tim is to choose what you want for each regardless of where its placed in the menu.

The decor and tables are rather cheap and tatty, its not why you are there. You go for freshly cooked food with a wide variety of dishes amid a very noisy and lively crowd of people. You could imagine that many are students although I doubt many actually are!

The staff are young, Vietnamese and mostly speak little English but are friendly and that makes up for everything. Seriously thin girls but thats good as there is little space to move around! The Owner lady will chat in French. The service is usually quick but rushed so be aware of that. You accept that the place is not the Ritz and the service seems more personal and friendly with genuine smiles!

I hope this review will be useful and give you a good idea of what its like. If you have any comments or questions search on Google for my name and "reviews"!

PS The final word and this may not be good news! During March 2011 they put their alcohol Licence application Notice on the door. When thats granted shortly we wil have to see what their policy is but normally thats an end to their BYOB policy. If thats the case then I have to say I will be visiting less often, sorry!
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Tony Glazier
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Went there with a small group for a friends birthday. We were being completely rushed through the meal and when we complained they suggested we go somewhere else - next time I definitely will. However, this said the food was good.
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4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Friday, January 14, 2011

Had heard great reviews. What a disappointment!

Booked a table for a friends leaving party. Arrived on time and were asked to wait. 20 minutes later, still waiting for a table we had booked. We stood in the entrance hall for 40 minutes while members of staff pushed past us with meals for seated tables. We were never offered a drink, an alternative optiion. . . There were 12 of us as well!

As the 12 of us stood waiting I watched the waitress attempt to remove a couple at one of the tables, using us as an excuse. The couple hadn't even fiinished eating and of course were complaining at having to move for a reservation they were not made aware of. By the time we reached 8.45 (table was booked for 8pm) we got a little fedup and checked at another restaurant down the road, Tay Do, who were able to take us immediately as a group of 12. I have no idea what the food quality is like at Mien Tay, but i was literally disgusted at probably the worst customer service i have received. Ever.
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L
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, January 13, 2011

I went to mien tay after a magazine recomendation, however i was a little disappointed. the food was standard and the restaurant was a little shabby. One waitress was lovely and friendly however the other staff didnt seem happy to have us there and acted like we were less important then tables with bigger bookings. the starters of salt and pepper prawns and squid wee good but tiny portions. the main courses of chargrilled chicken and pork were greasy.

Mien tay needs to up its game if it wants to compete with the quality further along the road.
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4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, November 07, 2010

You will not find a better Vietnamese restaurant in the country! Having travelled in Vietnam the food at Mien Tay is completely authentic, well cooked and brilliant value for money. And if people are complaining about the service... well it is exactly the kind of service you get in Vietnam so all the more authentic!!

I travel from Brighton to eat at Mien Tay and can say I have probably tried most of the menu and it is all ridiculously tasty. The range of the menu is excellent and the prices nearly the same as Asia (which you can't say for a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in London!). It is not the kind of place you go for a romantic, lengthy dinner but for a quick chat about how great the food is you won't find a better place.

You can tell how popular it is by the fact you walk the length of Kingsland Road and everywhere is empty but you have had to book a table for here in the week!
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ClaireW
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

From the minute we stepped into the place, our group were made to feel like we were a burden. Our greetings were met with sighs as the place was starting to get busy, even though we already had reservations.

The service was terrible and despite them wanting us to eat and leave as quick as possible, they were inattentive and slow (except for bringing the bill to us!). About five dishes that we wanted to order were "unavailable" and some other dishes we asked for, they refused to cook for us because it would "take too long" and they wanted us gone quicker.

The food that did actually come was dry and overcooked, and just not enjoyable to eat. I can understand and put up with poor service for great food, but great food this was not. With so many other Viet restaurants around, it's not worth putting up with such rude staff for such average food. Would recommend going to Song Que just a few doors down - amazing food with much more welcoming staff.
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Dao
1 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Sunday, October 10, 2010