Thai Cottage

Further to my comments below posted on 23 April 2008, I visited again in June with a sample of my home-made nam prik pao. This was tried by Sue, her chef and the waiting staff and given a good (for an Englishman not experienced in Thai cooking) approval rating. Very satisfying, especially the thumbs up from the chef. A dish of the "real thing" was brought out for comparison, and the advice given was that my version lacked only a touch of tamarind. As for the evening, food, service, value for money and the friendly welcome were of the usual high standard and much appreciated by my daughter and others celebrating her birthday.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The food was quite good without being anything outstanding. The service was extremely efficient and all the waiters and waitresses were polite and kind and obviously lovely people. Good value for money but the placve is a bit dingy, I have to say--maybe could do with a bit of refurbishment.
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Peter
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Authentic thai experience with modest cosey atmosphere, great good and friendly efficient service. The flavours took us back to some of the best places we ate in Thailand on our recent trip there. Great food, great value without anything pretentious or artificial.
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Ken
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, May 10, 2008

There is very little I can add to the favourable reviews which appear below. This is precisely the kind of informal, family-run restaurant which I have headed for on numerous recent visits to Thailand and which rarely disappoint in terms of quality, value or friendliness. (No delicately carved vegetables here, if you like that sort of thing.) On my last visit, however, I disclosed (perhaps foolishly) to proprietress Sue that I had attempted my own version of nam prik pao: this is the fiery chilli sauce the fumes from which caused some panic in Soho streets in autumn 2007. Sue challenged me to pit my sauce against hers on my next visit, so I am looking forward to that with interest and some trepidation! How refreshing to visit a restaurant where the owner makes a point of chatting to customers at the conclusion of the meal. Highly recommended.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I love this restaurant, it's a great place for good and cheap Thai food. The staff have always been friendly, the service is quick and the food is always fantastic. The curries filling and all dishes are a good portion size.

It's great value for money and asl ong as you're not looking for a fancy decor it's a great place to go for a cheap bite to eat.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 01, 2008

It's fantastic. Authentic, cheap and tasty. I'm a regular and would recommend this place to anyone who likes good food! The red roast duck curry is my top recommendation followed by (in case you don't like duck or red curry) the crispy deep-fried fish which you can eat whole, with bones and all. I am not kidding. My boyfriend hates fish and most seafood and this is the only fish he will eat. I also like the "gai yang" which is the barbequed baby chicken thighs and wings. And I agree with the reviewer below about the grilled prawn with chilli sauce.

On the other hand if you are after atmosphere you probably won't like it. It has a very homely feel (I'm from Southeast Asia so it literally feels like where I grew up) and 70's style tablecloths but for me it's a plus because passersby don't tend to come in, leaving it to the regulars!
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Israphale
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 14, 2008

Myself and my wife popped in here on Saturday night which wasn't so busy but had a small turn over of regular customers. We only ordered one dish each (stir fried pork with mushroom and peppers and a Tom Yum soup plus rice with drinks. The food was awesome with taste, service was fine and non intrusive. I thought it was quite expensive for the size of dish but that's London prices & rent for you! As per a previous review, the toilets are not great and a bit cold in the winter but we'll definitely go back soon.......
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Darren and Hari
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 03, 2008

If you really want to know what Real Thai food shoul taste like, then you must come here. I have eaten here 15 times this year, and they have not changed. This restaurant is amazing for exellent authentic Thai cuisine. You would not get better. It is value for money and the staff are great.

I also have my favourites from the menu.The curries go down really well (Red Thai always good) and the starters are great, I could eat them all. The portions are big and so is the menu so there is a lot to choose from. (Not fat, just love my food!)

Friends of mine rave about it and my boyfriend has come to love it as much as I do. I'm even taking him there for his birthday.
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Tauhida
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 22, 2007

This place is a real gem of a find.

We paid a visit there last night for the first time, and as Arnold said "I'll be back"

Very busy, cheap and cheerful ambiance, small, very friendly, excellent service, stunning food (and I have lived in Thailand)

So close are you to your fellow diners at neighbouring tables, it is impossible not to start chatting with them, and it seems a very nice bunch of people who get down there. (So glad there is no restaurant smoking now)

Friendly, knowledgeble staff and owners who will sit at your table after your meal and chat with you as long as you like. Would still be there for breakfast if I'd had my way.

But as I said, the star of the show is the food, and we can't wait to go back.

Ten out of ten guys, on all counts.
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Ian McKay
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 11, 2007

Everyone is spot on with their praise. I was introduced to this wonderful place by a friend and have been including in my eating out rounds for several years. Service is great as is the food, and it's refreshing to visit a time-capsule family owned sensibly priced restaurant in London's costly West End. I adore the place.
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Paul
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 28, 2007