There should be a word for when you set your expectations too high and the end result is - unsurprisingly - less than satisfying.
Saiko'd.
You got saiko'd.
That works.
Anyone who hangs around the talk boards will probably be aware of my hunt for a decent Banh Mi sandwich here in the capital. Besides Thai, we really do struggle for some quality South East Asian fayre. So when I catch wind of a decent Vietnamese deli, or a Malaysian street food place, I'll need to check that badboy out.
Blythe was good enough to recommend Marchmont's Saiko as a solution to my Banh Mi woes. So on my birthday day off, guess where we headed?
The girl inside was very nice and friendly. Considering the place was dead, I think that's 'nuff said. Said hello, took our order, took our money, said goodbye, smiled a lot. The end.
So walking out of Saiko, bagged sandwich in hand, I first noticed the shape was wrong. Banh Mi, real Vietnamese ones, tend to adhere to a specifically shaped baguette. The baguette in my bag was not it, instead a long and narrow number you might find in a supermarket housed the contents of pork, pate, coriander and pickled veg.
What there was of it.
Yes, the biggest gripe of this visit was in the contents of the sandwich. Two words: not very much. A thin layer of pork, bolstered by wads of veggies to try and make it look substantial, but even they didn't seem to do the job. It all came across a bit too bready and downright stingie.
Considering this badboy - a sandwich, people! - costs a whopping £5.95, I would really expect a little generosity between the bread. The flavour was all present and correct, and I must say even quite authentic, but with such a measly filling, the bread overwhelmed it all. Disappointing.
I'll get myself back there one day - the menu looked interesting and I'll be curious to see if they are more generous with other dishes like their Pad Thai or their Dim Sum - but for now I think Banh Mi Quest continues.....
Cos I got saiko'd. read more