The Blurb
Vietnamese-inspired rice rolls are being heralded in cities across the world as the new convenience food of the moment. Rice noodles, chopped raw vegetables and a choice of protein are rolled in a rice paper wrap and then dipped into a zingy sauce. The low-calorie rolls are a healthy, delicious and affordable alternative to the lunchtime sandwich and good news for coeliacs and carbophobes… they are (mostly) gluten-free.
I have to put my hand up and say that I’ve been making rice rolls at home for years – albeit rather sloppily – because the process is like trying to stuff a salad into a sock (if the sock is made of silly putty and the salad is having a tantrum). So I’m thrilled when I hear that Roll Baby – the new offering from the team behind Farm Girl- is bringing their latest venture to Notting Hill and relieving me of the hassle.
The Food
The Roll Baby menu boasts eight rolls, which can be mixed and matched with a variety of sauces. The garlic prawn with the ginger tahini sauce is my favourite. The prawns are fresh and the fiery sauce brings a welcome warmth. The Tofu roll is spiked with pickled ginger and pairs well with the creamy satay. The falafel and hummus roll is well-seasoned and provides another great vegan option, whilst the pesto roll with prosciutto, mozzarella and basil proves to be a fusion too far for me and though my PT will kill me for saying it… would probably taste better in a crispy hunk of focaccia.
In a Nutshell
You need about two rolls per person and at £3.99 each, they’re fantastic value and give the ready-to-eat sandwich stalwarts a run for their money. This time, I ordered in, but the website tells me that Roll Baby also sell Australian coffee and a selection of vegan cakes and pastries.
The Details
291 Portobello Rd, London, W10 5TD
Open weekdays from 8:30 am – 7 pm
Weekends from 9am – 5pm
Roll Baby is also available for delivery on Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
