Quiet and pleasant, Thai Crystal is what you'd expect from a stereotypical Thai venue without the budget for elaborate decoration. The food won’t blow you away but it fits the bill.

The Venue
The third Thai restaurant along the restaurant-lined Westow Hill, Thai Crystal probably occupies the most unfavourable location, the last door before the street becomes a residential thoroughfare for cars. The restaurant is a quintessentially Oriental, with an unremarkable shop front and intermittent fairy lights inside. However, the place is clean and has more decor than most. The walls seem freshly painted and the damask light green tablecloths are spotless, while the walls are graced by Thai wood carvings, a screen and other assorted decorations. It may not look as sophisticated as some if its competitors, but at least it seems authentic, as if no Western hand has tried to make things look more exotic.

The Atmosphere
Thai Crystal has built a small crowd of regulars from the area with whom it has developed a familiar relationship. When a known face comes in, the smiling staff will remember their usual order and the very discreet, police service is a true selling point.

The Food
The menu includes all the classics: starters (£3.50 - £8), soups (£4 - £4.50) and mains (£5.50 - £8) like curries, fish, stir fries, noodles and rice, all with a choice of chicken, pork, beef, tofu, prawn or duck. The corn cakes are oily but delicious and the portion is very generous, and the delicate tom kha hed soup has a zingy taste thanks to the mix of coconut milk, galangal and lemongrass. The seafood salad is dressed well and incredibly spicy. The creamy and indulgent panang curry is fancily presented on its own burner, a good match with the sticky coconut rice. The egg noodles are good, although the chicken is slightly dry. Though overall the food, soberly and elegantly presented, is good and it fulfils your expectations for a no-frills dining experience, if you are looking for refinement or sophistication you will be disappointed.

The Drink
You have over a dozen bottles (£13 - £29) to choose from and four wines by the glass (£2.80 - £4.50). Four champagnes are also available including Comte de Robart, Laurent-Perrier and even fancy Dom Perignon Brut Vintage (£110). Aperitifs, spirits and liqueurs (£2.60) are also available and so are Eastern beers such as Singha, Chang and Tiger.

The Last Word
Thai Crystal fulfils expectations without exceeding them, offering good food and decent value for money.

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