Velo is the new Vietnamese place on Tooley Street in SE1 and judging by the blurb, it has already achieved self awareness and wants to be friends. Communication with Velo is through touch screen computer terminals and some helpful members of staff are on hand to encourage hesitant visitors towards the screens and also bring orders to the table.

This all works smoothly, although completing the deal electronically does mean missing out on those pleasant moments of human interaction at the counter where more staff are stood waiting to hand out takeaways and they might appreciate a chat.

The usual menu of Vietnamese street food includes banh mi, pho and a well proportioned chicken vermicelli for £6.50 (top) which lived up to their "light, tasty and healthy" description and went down very well. Neighbouring diners seemed to be equally appreciative of their meals.

A nice spring roll is cleverly included in the vermicelli bowl, but this could be where the I.T. gets in the way. Instead of popping to the counter to grab a few more, you have to go to the machine, find the menu, pay with a card and hope your order is promptly dealt with before your meal has gone cold.

Business was brisk and Velo looks like the most chain ready of the numerous Vietnamese openings in recent times.

Velo, 104 Tooley Street, SE1