Ever since Gordon Ramsay highlighted it on the F Word and the Michelin judges deemed it as excellent value for money, Simply Thai has been put on the gastronomic map. But is it worth the trip to Teddington?

The Venue
This rather unassuming spot has become famous in recent months, something that you might not expect based purely on first impressions. A simple frontage made up of dark woods, windows and a pale blue/grey sign is all that greets you, and inside the decor veers towards minimalist in style. A blue tiled floor offers a bit of colour, as do the vibrant purple chairs, but the rest is a wash of neutrality with just a bit of foliage, a few mirrors and some wall hangings adding anything in the way of aesthetic interest. However, it does have a certain charm in its stripped back appeal, and they could have easily gone the route of cheesy Thai decoration.

The Atmosphere
It has become increasingly difficult to book a table at Simply Thai thanks to what’s been dubbed the ‘Gordon Ramsay Effect’. You can get in on a Saturday night if you call in advance, get put on the cancellations list and get lucky at the last minute. Otherwise, it can be up to three or four week wait. Impressive stuff. The staff obviously care about the reputation they’ve built up and even when busy there’s an ease to the service and a friendliness that’s pleasant, although they're not the fastest and they could do with making the ordering process more efficient. Still, the overall ambience is certainly very appealing and makes up for the rather dull setting.

The Food
The menu at Simply Thai is succinct, with obvious care paid to the quality and combinations of the ingredients used. If you’re not up for being adventurous then the Thai green curry is excellent and is good value at just under £9. The coconut cream is present enough to counteract the moderate heat from the chilli, providing a creaminess to each mouthful. The bamboo shoots and sweet basil bulk it out and add texture, and the chunks of chicken are tender, flavoursome and generously portioned. Put with fluffy, light rice, it’s a great dish. Alternatively, a stir fry of plump, fresh prawns sauteed in garlic, ginger, coriander, sweet pepper and mangetout is a delight, and well-priced at just under £10. The garlic and ginger add a rich depth of flavour, the coriander comes through as a pleasant after taste and the mangetout adds texture to each bite. Served in a light soy sauce, it’s not spicy but still very heavy in Thai flavours.

The Drink
There’s a decent wine menu on offer at Simply Thai with an excellent house white that’s very easy to drink and extremely good value at well under the £15 a bottle mark. Well matched to either the heat of the curry dishes or the fresh flavours of a stir fry, it’s a surprisingly good option where most restaurants keep the house as the cheap and not too cheerful option.

The Last Word
Simply Thai may not be perfect but if it’s good enough for Chef Ramsay, it’s good enough for most. And just about worth the trek to Teddington.

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