Simply Thai

Reasonable food, but I won't be back. I like to feel appreciated as a customer, and not deemed an inconvenience. The atmosphere is intimidating and unfriendly, not what you want when you dine out. The constant shouting from the kitchen does nothing to relax you as you wait for ages to be acknowledged, let alone served with food. Our rice was served ages before the accompanying food, and therefore stone cold, when we asked for some hot rice, we were shouted at, and on paying the bill at the end of the evening, told we were banned!! I would like to advise an alternative venue, perhaps the Strawberry Hill Thai, where the owner can amuse you with his magic tricks, and you can bring your own bottle too! James

There is no doubt that the food is very good at this little establishment, however, the attitude of the owner/chef leaves much to be desired. Having been ‘Gordon Ramseyfied’ the restaurant no longer does take-away's, which used to be a fabulous benefit for us locals, and owing to the small number of covers, you can no longer just ‘drop in’ for a quick delicious Thai meal, as was possible in the past. So, when you can finally manage to obtain someone on the telephone to make a booking, be prepared for a long wait for service (of any description) when you arrive. At our last visit, we waited 40 minutes before being asked what we would like to drink. The food then took another interminable length of time to arrive (by which time we were contemplating going next door to the fish and chip shop, for a snack, whilst we waited). The owner/chef insists on preparing all the food herself, and has one member of staff to bring out the food from the kitchen, and one youngster front of house, taking orders, and serving drinks. It's a crying shame, that such a great cook, can't get her act together, and draft in some help in the kitchen, and serve the food in a reasonable time frame. Although the food is widely acclaimed in the area, we won't be back – there's a much more efficient place by Strawberry Hill Station, where the food is good, and the people welcoming, cheerful and pleasant !