Piya Piya

Loud purple colours & groovy, club-like furnishings can’t quite disguise the odd scuff & scratch at Piya Piya, but a pleasant welcome & plenty of light ensure the front bar is a jolly place. In contrast, the somewhat austere back room is less successful as a daytime haunt. Prices & options are pared back for the £5.95 express lunch, though there’s more choice on the full menu. Here, appetisers comprise the likes of Thai ‘golden bags’ with minced chicken & sweet herbs, or deep-fried squid in garlic & ginger, while the varied collection of bigger dishes includes classic som tam salad, beef mussaman curry with pumpkin & potato, crispy roast duck with tamarind sauce, & steamed sea bass with lemon, ginger & pickled plums. Wines are affordable, but if you’re at Piya Piya during happy hour, the £4.25 cocktails may prove more tempting.