Emma Bartholomew and her family try out a new range of ‘ta-kos’ at Victory Mansion in Stoke Newington - and there’s a surprise favourite

Cauliflower is an unlikely candidate - but the general consensus was that the cruciferous won the crown as our favourite ‘ta-ko’ filling at Victory Mansion.

The cosy eclectic venue in Stoke Newington High Street, named after a mansion block that used to be on the site, has just launched a menu of tasty tacos with Asian-inspired fillings.

My kids and I had come to try out their handmade 12cm soft corn tortillas, topped with flavours emanating from Thailand, Korea and Vietnam, all priced at £3.50 or £4 each.

There’s palm sugar glazed beef short rib, pickled watermelon with quail’s egg and wild blackberry sriracha, and Nahm Jim chicken, liver pate, pickles, crispy onion and Kampot pepper mayo.

But deep-fried in batter, the crispy cauliflower is so good we all order another – and even my nine-year-old daughter loved them.

Cauliflower never tasted so good.

Apparently it’s the nori seaweed in the batter which makes them so tasty.

The ‘MSG’ fries (£4) are coated with it too, and are just as addictive.

Thick slices of potato are dished up with Kampot pepper mayo and are worth the trip to Stoke Newington alone.

Head chef Tim Yates’ friend farms the peppers in Cambodia and they are billed as the best in the world in some quarters.

There’s an antique vibe going on, and our family sits at the G Plan vintage table in front of jungle print wallpaper.

Dark wooden display cabinets are filled with knick knacks.

Cocktails are named after characters in famous books, like the Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye), Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Patrick Bateman (American Psycho).

But with the kids in tow we try out the delicious soft drinks on offer.

They’re all made with home-made syrups, like ginger and lime and orange and pomegranate.

They also do a lot of pickling and brining in here, so as not to create food waste.

There’s a two-for-one tako and £5 cocktail offer on weekends from noon to 5pm.

victorymansion.co.uk.