The Halkin Hotel,
5 Halkin Street,
Belgravia,
London,
SW1X 7DJ
0871 971 3433
The ViewLondon Review
Set in the upmarket locale of Belgravia, Nahm is London’s only Thai restaurant awarded the most coveted prize amongst every top chef - the elusive Michelin star. Chef David Thompson and his team take you through a delicious journey of experiencing Thai food at its best, the Nahm way.The VenueLocated inside one of London’s most stylish and elegant five star hotels, The Halkin Hotel is a short walk from Hyde Park Corner and all the luxuries of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street. Once inside you will be greeted by friendly staff and a very bright (small) dining room, bare of any traditional Thai artefacts you may have expected to find in a restaurant like this. In fact, some may even describe it as a bit stark.
The AtmosphereMost patrons are either celebrating a special occasion or belong to the Belgravia-elite, so don’t expect big crowds at Nahm. The bright lighting combined with the light-coloured wooden decor makes this restaurant rather ordinary; however, the relaxing traditional Thai music in the background adds to the comfortable atmosphere. The (sometimes overly attentive) waiting staff are also on hand to help with the menu and the sommelier will help you choose the best complementary beverages (although don’t forget that there are always cheaper options).
The FoodThe set menu is always recommended as this is the chef’s way of taking the diner through the Nahm journey, covering all aspects of your taste buds. First course: Delicious canapes called Ma Hor - minced prawns and chicken cooked with shallots, garlic, peanuts, and served on wedges of fresh pineapple and mandarin, just the right dish to get your taste buds going. Starters arrive and these are crispy shells (similar to Tuiles) stuffed with warm and tender green curry chicken and fresh leaves – superb!
The mains are even more adventurous with a spicy and peppery salmon roe and mangosteen salad, cold langoustine and coconut salad, chicken curry with artichokes – nice, although a bit too heavy on the coconut, or stir fried beef with aubergines and fresh herbs. Unfortunately, the mains are pretty ordinary compared to the appetisers but helps if you can take spicy food as the combinations tend to work better that way. As for desserts, they can be fairly disappointing; each person gets a small dish of four varieties but with only one tablespoon of each, it is hardly worth getting stuck in.
The DrinkNahm offers a huge selection of wines available to complement every dish. A vast range of Champagnes are also on offer, with prices surprisingly reasonable for this establishment.
The Last WordVisit Nahm with no expectations and you will truly enjoy the experience and dining ritual. However, go in with an attitude that this Michelin star restaurant must deliver then you may not leave rubbing your tummy in true satisfaction.
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