SESSIONS RECOMMENDS IS OUR WEEKLY SERIES WHERE WE SIT DOWN WITH A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM FOR A 5 MINUTE CHAT ABOUT THEIR CURRENT FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS.
Kevin travels to train our brands to chef teams across the country. Like most professional chefs, he's serious about eating and as an American transplant in London, he spends a lot of his spare time exploring the Capital's dining scene. This week, he sat down with us to share his current favourite Thai restaurants.
WHERE ARE YOU EATING AT THE MOMENT?
“I'm eating a lot of Thai food at the moment. My favourite restaurant so far has been Kiln in Soho. I’m a huge fan of open fire grilling which is their specialty. I have like 5 favourite dishes there so will have to narrow it down to the Braised Beef Shin Curry with Wild Garlic & Nettle (£16.50) which was stupid good. And if you are feeling adventurous then the Smoked Mackerel, Pea Shoot & Lemongrass Salad (£11.00) was really flavourful.
The menu is compact and ever-changing with fresh and interesting ingredients which of course, are always perfectly sourced, from Thai and Chinese herbs grown in Britain to fresh Cornish seafood. This is the second restaurant from Ben Chapman of Smoking Goat’s fame and by no means is it in second place.
The restaurant itself is an interesting place too, especially if you are a lover of counter-eating. Just like the Barbary, Barafina and such like places, there is something special about sitting so close to the action. With your face a mere 2 metres away from the blazing charcoal grill and the smoke wafting towards you like a mouthwatering perfume, there is no way that you can’t enjoy this experience. That said, some - like Tim Hayward, have said that the performance of cooking on a charcoal grill adds nothing to the flavour but instead simply a different challenge for the chef… will leave it up to you as to what your opinion is!"
58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL
Small sharing dishes: £4.50-£8.75
Large sharing dishes: £18-£38
OUR FAVOURITE THAI RESTAURANTS IN LONDON
SPEEDBOAT BAR - SOHO
Based in London's Chinatown, Speedboat Bar aims to bring the energy of Bangkok's bustling Chinatown to the capital.
30 Rupert St, London W1D 6DL
CHET'S - SHEPHERD'S BUSH
A Thai-Americana spot combining the fragrant flavours and smoky textures of Thailand and the surrounding region with comforts from the classic American diner.
65 Shepherd's Bush Grn, London W12 8QE
FARANG - HIGHBURY
Original Thai food from Sebby Holmes and the team, showcasing the very best fresh Thai and British produce.
72 Highbury Park, London N5 2XE
SINGBURI - LEYTONSTONE
Often cited as not only one of the best Thai restaurant in London but one of the best restaurants full stop, Singburi serves classic Thai dishes with a changing chalkboard of daily specials.
593 High Rd Leytonstone, London E11 4PA
