Busaba Eathai Store Street

Agree with the previous post. I have been to this restaurant on several occasions for lunch when it is fairly quiet and there have been no problems. Food is quite nice. Wine list isn't great. There is no dessert menu as we were told that thai cuisine does not include dessert. I wouldn't feel guilty if I didn't leave a tip!

But the evening session totally put me off the place. We were a group of 8 people but 1 person was delayed unexpectedly. We were told that if we sat down and there was a group that could fill the spaces left on our table, she wouldn't be able to sit with us as those place would be filled. RIGID AND INFLEXIBLE

Another problem with this place is that their tables are too wide. For example, if there are five of you sitting on two sides of the table, someone is invariably going to get left out of the conversation simply because they can't hear what going on. It works if there are enough of you in a group to completely fill the table but forget it if there are just a few of you.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, March 23, 2008

I agree with some comments about Busaba. It seems very over-rated.

The staff seem very tense and some are even surly. The system is very rule-bound and rigid. No bookings are taken and despite arriving when the place was almost empty at 12.30pm on a Friday, I was not allowed to choose a pair of bench spots separate from a couple at the same table that left three spaces empty in between. This seemed overly petty and inflexible. When I asked why I was told that they have to fill all the gaps. I eventually found somewhere else to sit that was comfortable after being moved somewhere far too hot (waaay too many candles nearby). I mentioned that the restaurant is very rule-bound and not accommodating and that it seemed not concerned about customer service and too concerned about making money. I was told it was nothing personal (eh?).

The food is probably a matter of personal taste so I won't comment on that.

The first glass of wine was an almost undrinkable shiraz (thin and cheap tasting) and shiraz is usually a pleasure for me. The chianti was much nicer.

Overall, the customer service and pretentious inflexible atmosphere really lets the food down. Hopefully that will change. Food is only one part of a good meal.
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Caitlin McKiernan
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Friday, March 14, 2008

I have been here a few times. The food is very good, but certainly not one of the best in London - don't believe the hype!

The service is fair enough, though you do feel like you are being rushed at the end.

I like the busy atmosphere, but be prepared to be squeezed in next to fellow diners.
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nakedlunch - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 10, 2008

As a Londoner 1st and a foodie 2nd, this has to be my favourite restaurant in London! The food is morishly amazing, cannot fault the tastes, the experience and the price. I attend the College of Law and have been to this place on numerous occasions working my way through the menu! Highly recommended, you will not be disappointed, however, if the service is lacking.... speak up... dont wait 45minutes to take action like the people below! Live long and prosper Busaba Eathai, furthermore, the best restaurant in the chain is the Store Street branch!
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Jonathan Manuel
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I wanted to impress three of my colleagues by taking them to Busabai Eathai. How wrong could I have been? The poor service has now successfully convinced all four of us that dining at Busabai Eathai is not a pleasurable experience.

We ordered our food and basically sat around for 45 minutes!!!! waiting and watching other people (most of whom arrived after us) being served food and eating.

We raised our 45 minute delay with the staff who did nothing to respond to this shocking delay and thereafter we spoke to the manager - who basically did everything she could to hide away from us rather then deal with the problem. Sadly we ended up leaving in disgust at the way we had been treated.

At no point did we receive an apology. We wrote to them to raise the poor level of their service on this point.
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MK
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I can't fault the furnishings, lighting or buzzing atmosphere... Thai prawn curry was just hot enough, and came with gorgeously sticky coconut rice. The smoothies are also underrated. I will definitely be coming back!
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Tehmina
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 11, 2008

We had been recommended this restaurant by friends who had recently been and had raved about the food.

Had to wait all of 5 minutes before being seated - would have been happier to wait longer as the food was so delicious - had to order another dish - though portions were on the small size.

We came away feeling totally satisfied and wondering if Busaba Eathai will be opening a restaurant in Cardiff.

The service was good, the staff were very attentive and we were not rushed.
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Lynda
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 26, 2008

One of my favourite restaurants in London. Love the food. Nothing but positive things to say.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

I came here at lunchtime and ordered the jungle curry with steamed jasmine rice.

The curry was horrible. I had to send it back. Full of woody bits of lemongrass, it was fiery yet tasteless. It also had goose-pimpled pieces of chicken skin floating around in it and it was throroughly off-putting. I know that often cheaper cuts like thigh and leg which have skin on it are used as they have more flavour, but the ratio of the skin and the meat was disproportionate.

When I told the waiter I couldn't eat it, he gave me a withering look and said "Maybe I should have told you that the jungle curry comes with chicken skin and is quite spicy".

Err - yes, perhaps they should have told me that it would be garnished with flabby skin. But they didn't.

Everyone else declared their mains as delicious.
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Beff - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Thursday, December 20, 2007

I do not agree with the last reviews. I've been to Busaba on a number of occasions, in small and larger groups, and we've always been very well treated. The service is swift, but what would you expect of such a busy place?

The food is lovely and innovative. Presentation is also very good. Prices are fair for such a good location in London.

I still think Busaba has a posher touch than Wagamama.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 09, 2007