Me: “Hi, we’re here from Blue Tomato”.
Waitress: “Welcome, would you like to order some drinks”.
Me: “Certainly, I’d love to”.
Waitress: “Here’s a drinks menu…wines are here…cocktails here…and we have Singha and Chang from Thailand also”.
Me: “Oh, are they your fellow waitresses?”
Waitress: (Confused silence)
Me: “You said Singha and Chang; I knew they were brands of beer, but I’m funny. So funny in fact that I am now having to explain the joke that I just made about your obvious reference to the beer list that I wittily implied were the names of your colleagues”!
Waitress: (Confused silence)
Me: “Yes, two Champagne cocktails please.”
Cringing over and cocktails on the table, the menu looks superb. I always forget how much I love Thai food. Maybe it’s just me, maybe I took it for granted for too long, and knew it would always be there when I wanted it, playing second fiddle to a plethora of exciting, new tastes and flavours in the revolving door of new openings and eateries that is the London restaurant scene. Tonight though Matthew, its time for Thai, and I’m well up for it!
The starters arrive quicker than Vanessa Feltz at the opening of a new all you can eat buffet in Soho and joining them are a pair of ice cold Singha’s. My dining partner and I share the Fish and prawn lollipops which are superb and then fight over the Thai Calamari. Calamari is usually a good test of the chef’s skills and a soggy and insipid coating, hiding a rubbery overcooked piece of squid is all too familiar. In the case of Suda, however, it is executed to perfection with a beautifully crisp and light batter, blanketing a sweet and flavourful fishy interior.
I spent some time in Thailand many years ago and lived off Tom Yum Soup. This famously spicy and fragrant broth is the stuff of legend and again, Suda Thai have it nailed. I was also enamoured with Suda’s take on the Penang Curry which whilst mild by my standards, is an assault on the taste buds hitting sweet, savoury, salty, sour and umami in equal measure. My partner in crime is tempted with the Kra Prao Nua, a stir fried beef in chilli and basil sauce which must be good as I don’t get a look in.
One of the best things about eating Thai food is the sensory satisfaction that you feel towards the end of the meal. Not too full or over-faced, nor planning a trip for a late night kebab after the tube ride home. In fact, we fancy some desserts and whilst South East Asia may not be famed for its sweet skills, the comedic named Taro Balls in Coconut cream and Banana fritters with honey and sesame are a delight and round off a stunning meal.
Suda Thai, tucked away in Covent Garden is certainly worth seeking out. The staff embody the friendliness and warmth of their nation, and the food represents the very best of Thai cuisine. They should be rightly proud of their little gem of place, and I know it won’t be long before I’m back. Bad jokes and all.
Written By Gary Corrin
Date posted: 19/02/2012
