Some restaurants have been where they are since before forever and I am ashamed to say I have never bothered to try them, or even given them a second glance for that matter. Situated on Whiteladies Road, the oldest Thai restaurant in Bristol, as the website claims; this is one of them.
Perhaps the far from unique name has something to do with it – my ignorance in subconsciously assuming that this makes it a fairly bog standard restaurant. But taking the short flight of stairs down into the mildly busy restaurant on a Thursday evening made me change my mind. We were greeted quickly by a young Thai waitress who, beaming at us, showed us to a table at the far end of the restaurant by the window, looking out onto the garden that rose up some steps outside.
Perhaps the far from unique name has something to do with it – my ignorance in subconsciously assuming that this makes it a fairly bog standard restaurant. But taking the short flight of stairs down into the mildly busy restaurant on a Thursday evening made me change my mind. We were greeted quickly by a young Thai waitress who, beaming at us, showed us to a table at the far end of the restaurant by the window, looking out onto the garden that rose up some steps outside.
We ate from the 2 courses for £13 menu, and our starters (above) were Fish cakes and a chilli sauce (left), and chicken skewers with a ground peanut dip, which we shared both of. Fish cakes isn't the most appetising of food for my eyes, but I was pleasantly surprised by these. The fish was of a chicken-like texture and the crispy outer layer added rich flavour, the chilli dip complimenting it brilliantly. The chicken skewers were also tasty, but less distinctive and memorable in my opinion - though the friend I dined with preferred them to the fish cakes, so I guess it is all a matter of opinion. The point being, they were both amazing.
My main (above left) was delicious and I wished there'd been more of it (although the portion was very decent). I ordered the Nasi Goreng Istimewa ('delicious house special fried rice with slices of chicken, prawn, mixed vegetables and egg'). I don't eat prawns very often but I love them and these were rich in flavour. Many of you reading this will be more than familiar with Thai food, but I am not, so I'm not sure how common this dish is in Thai restaurants. Either way, I was very pleased to say the least, hence my desire (or greed, to put it more bluntly) to eat more of it than I was given. My friend ordered Thai Green Curry (above right).
This restaurant teaches the perfect don't judge a book by its cover lesson. It has also definitely taught me not to overlook restaurants that are humbly doing what they've been doing for years, and this one has earned its recognition too, having won the Bristol Good Food award in 2009. I'll definitely be returning, and the lovely smiley workers really made it.
This restaurant teaches the perfect don't judge a book by its cover lesson. It has also definitely taught me not to overlook restaurants that are humbly doing what they've been doing for years, and this one has earned its recognition too, having won the Bristol Good Food award in 2009. I'll definitely be returning, and the lovely smiley workers really made it.