Three Uncles… Cantonese cuisine in a relaxed affair

Brixton Village’s casual dining credentials grow stronger with every passing month.

It’s informal, no fuss and no bookings needed. You can literally turn up, wander around and decide what and where to eat.

If your first choice is busy, return later or move on to the next. The options are endless and the standard is high so you won’t be left feeling hungry for long.

Three Uncles caught my attention when it opened in the spring so I’m late to the party but so glad I finally joined it.

Billed as Cantonese cuisine typical of cafes in Hong Kong, it’s a relaxed affair.

No more than 20 covers are packed into a cosy spot inside, but there’s plenty more outside, which is helpful in this balmy weather.

The menu is compact and straight forward – dim sum and roasted meats (pork, duck and chicken), served with rice or egg noodles, and pak choi.

The visit reminded me of childhood days spent walking through central London’s Chinatown, seeing the spiced cooked ducks hanging in restaurant windows, luring you in.

A tiny kitchen serves customers quickly and with a smile.

The freshly steamed dim sum were mostly a hit, particularly Char Siu Bao, Pork & Prawn Siu Mai and Lamb Dumplings with Chilli Vinegar. All cost £5-6.

Less successful were Curry Fish Balls – while the curry sauce was delicious, the fish balls were not really to my liking.

I’m sure it had something to do with its consistency – similar to a scallop.

Roasted Cantonese meats are a thing of both wonder and immense enjoyment.

How do they manage to pack so much flavour into the meat? I guess the easy answer is the long marinating process.

The flavour notes in the Char Sui BBQ Pork (£9.95) were wonderful – detecting the individual Chinese five spices.

Roasted, sliced and served on a bed of steamed Jasmine rice with sweet soy sauce.

I loved it. It’s the kind of restaurant you don’t have to wait for a reason to visit – its casual enough and inexpensive so why not? In fact, next time I’m passing, even if I’m alone, I’ll pop in.

Three Uncles, Unit 19, 20, Brixton Village, SW9 8PR.

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Everywhere you look, the increasing cost of living is front page news.

Food price hikes have been passed on to restaurants, and ultimately the customer, so it’s great to hear of special offers.

Each week, we’ll be bringing you crisis-busting deals available across our Capital.

Boxpark Croydon has some cracking offers from two of its best loved restaurants.

Big Mike’s Calypso Kitchen has just introduced a lunchtime special, Jerk Chicken Wrap for a bargain £6.50.

Boneless chicken is seasoned and marinated for 24-hrs before it’s smoked and cooked to a delicious finish and used to fill a tortilla wrap, with lots of salad and a choice sauces.

There’s also vegan chicken and fishcake wraps.

For more information, go to www.bigmikesck.com

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Our national dish – fish and chips – is celebrated at seafood restaurant, For Cod’s Hake, with a half portion just £6.50 daily.

It is the perfect lunchtime serving or go for the whole portion with chips and share with a friend (£13.00).

Fish arrives daily from Cornish shores, ensuring access to the best possible ingredients.

The Fillet of Fish Burger is proving a hit with crowds at Boxpark Croydon.

This is grab and go street food at its best.

Breaded, fried fillet of fish, melted cheese, slaw salad, pickles, spicy ketchup, and tartare sauce in a soft brioche bun – this is next level and the description doesn’t really do it justice.

It needs to be tried to be believed and you can do that Tuesday to Thursday for £6.

Go to www.codshake.com

 

Pictured: Three Uncles. Picture: Three Uncles