Pu's Brasserie

Ate at Pu's Brasserie tonight and it has little to recommend it other than the food – lost the booking, no atmosphere, fast but soulless service, wife tore her trousers on a nail in the seat yet no recompense offered, toilets did not look very clean. If you want a quick ‘in and out’ good quality meal then it is fine but not somewhere for an enjoyable evening.

This really is a little gem. No it's not the busiest, most atmospheric or luxurious of restaurants, but if you're looking for high quality, tasty Thai food without breaking the bank, then this is definitely worth trying. We had a range of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes, each beautifully presented and clearly cooked from fresh. Every plate went back empty, aside of course, from the obligatory ornate vegetable sculptures!

Service was pleasant without being obtrusive and whilst it is probably not a venue to linger in (think the chairs would get a wee bit uncomfortable after a while) for a delicious meal away from the hustle and bustle of Holborn/Kingsway, it is worth seeking out.

Pu's is one of my regular haunts and I have taken many friends there over the years. The service is exceptional with the waiting staff welcoming us and ensuring we are happy with our table. There is a wide range of food, including many vegetarian options and everything I have eaten has been delicious and tasty. I certainly recommend Set Menu A – a favourite of mine and my friends. Drinks and Food are reasonable prices for central London.

The servings were tiny. My partner and I had a salad as a starter, a curry and some noodles and went away hungry. The server was attentive but we had to get his attention by calling him over a couple of times. There were other servers but they stood around talking and not serving. Not worth going back.

As simplistic thai restaurants go, Pu's tops the list when it comes to winning that all important authentic debate and ticks the food safety list, miles ahead of soho counterparts. If you are in there for long enough, you'd not go wrong in thinking you were being transported away with the bustling activity of waiters and waitresses and the wafting smells of lemongrass and chilli from the kitchen.

The menu is equally lively and has an ambituous selection for both meat and veg diners. Service is swift and friendly and perfect for quick lunch visits and fuss free group dining. Luxurious it isnt and if you're after Patara or Nahm like interiors, then perhaps give it a miss. But if its fresh ingredients and flavoursome food you're after and you don't mind a slightly numb behind from the wooden chairs, you're in the right place.