Drinking and Dining

Restaurant Update

Simply Thai continues to benefit from the publicity of reaching the semi-finals of the F-Word’s ‘best local restaurant’ competition.

During a recent visit to the restaurant it wasn’t at 100% capacity for the later sitting but most days all tables are full soon after opening time with diners eager to try the food that so impressed Gordon. Bookings still need to made a few weeks in advance but it’s certainly worth the wait.

For starters the simplicity of presentation for the traditional Thai fish cakes with cucumber relish (pictured below) belied the intricate and utterly delicious flavours contained within. Various curries were delivered for our main courses and despite looking similar our untrained eyes, they certainly tasted different! Red and green currys went down well and the spicy sweet loin of pork sautéed in roasted spices flavoured with palm sugar and coconut cream (as featured on the show) was a taste sensation – seriously flavourful and very moorish.

Desserts were also memorable and mostly coconut-based – mango rice pudding with coconut blended flavours exceedingly well, Patria’s own recipe coconut crème brulee (a favourite with regulars) and tasty ice creams. The restaurant has a clean and modern feel to it and if you catch her after the evening rush, Patria is more than happy to talk to her customers about her food or her experience on the TV show – the F-Word trophy sits proudly on the counter in front of the kitchen.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Diners Turkish Delight – a lively venue that hosts belly dancing and live music evenings, promising lower-cost meals that contain simpler kebab-based Turkish dishes.

Each week from Wednesday to Saturday, Diners Delight undergoes a transformation from cafe into Diners Turkish Delight restaurant each evening. A warm and friendly greeting directs you to your seat where your complementary balloon bread will soon arrive on your table.

Starters include pan-fried rolled feta cheese filo pastries and Lahmacun (Turkish thin crust pizza) topped with mince meat & parsley. The Teddington mixed kebab contains a veritable feast of freshly charcoal-fired barbecued kebab meats: lamb and chicken shish, lamb chop, spicy minced lamb kebab with rice and salad. The Iskender kebab is a choice of lamb or chicken shish on crispy bread, topped with yoghurt, special tomato sauce and sizzling hot butter. I can guarantee that you won’t finish the evening still hungry!

As well as the ordering from the standard dessert menu you can request a candle-decorated birthday cake, dimming of lights and a hearty happy birthday song if it’s someone’s special day. Kids meals are also available from the menu.

China Express is currently closed for an extended Easter holiday until 25th April as is Noel which has been undergoing a refurbishment.

If you fancy more traditional pub grub then look no further than the Adelaide, the only pub in the area that offer a ‘proper’ steak and kidney pudding (suet) as well as other delicious pies and country classics including lamb shank, beef cobbler, toad in the hole. Make sure you leave room for desserts though!

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