No it isn't the Cafe East that is reputed for Vietnamese food in London. This is the local Cafe East along the up and coming (or nearly there) Roman Road in Bow. Even though there are quite a few cafes in the area, I've yet to really experience many. This was an unusual Sunday brunch on a warm day, and it was surprising that not more people weren't out here. Maybe they were off in the park instead.
Their forte is probably pancakes as there is a dedicated menu for them. Even though the other dishes don't sound overly exciting, the do them damn well. This may well be my favourite standard breakfast in London so far. And the prices are cheaper than anything other than fried chicken and kebabs in this town.
- Eastern Pan £6.5 - an egg, a juicy portobello mushroom, a slightly old looking cumberland sausage, lovely grilled cherry tomatoes, really excellent really strong flavoured (not smoked though) bacon and some standard baked beans. The presentation in a frypan is just right;
- Potato Pancake £6.9 - 2 nicely salted potato cakes with squeaky grilled halloumi, excellent delicious spicy beef sausage, sliced avocado and 2 poached eggs (I prefer slightly runnier but it's fine). Perhaps a little salty overall but just plain tasty.
They unfortunately don't have much in the way of smoothies but there is some fresh house OJ at least.
I'll definitely be back for breakfast again.