Lots Road might be famous for its auction house and interior designers but this far end of Chelsea has never been known as a gastro destination – something that one-time resident Natalie Tangsakul is aiming to change with this intriguing-sounding new Thai.
Tangsakul grew up in Chiang Rai and is keen to bring the flavours of her native Isan in the north-east of the country to Londoners. Having trained as a banker, Tangsakul has spent the past couple of years working across every area of the restaurant trade – from front of house to central production – and has worked as a chef at Rosa’s Thai.
Talad’s menus, however, are rather more unusual. Dishes that Tangsakul is proud of include wild ginger and masala hung le curry, which she describes as “a typical northern Thai curry, quite thick, mild and comforting”. It comes with chicken or as a vegan version with pea and, like all the curries here, doesn’t use coconut milk.
Tangsakul's other favourite dishes include gaeng om mushroom and cabbage with fermented fish sauce – “a tasty and spicy soup” – and the signature dish of fresh clam with roasted chilli jam – “so yummy and really tasty”. Plant-based dishes include a salad of wild greens and Thai-style arancini (which can come with sour garlic sausage) and there are slow-grilled wings too.
To drink, there is draught beer or else five each of white, sparkling, red and rosé wines.
Explaining the idea behind Talad Eatery, Tangsakul told SquareMeal, “The vision is to bring people on an immersive experience of an unknown region of Thailand, the north east. We want to share the best of our culture, our food and the warm hospitality.”