110 Old Street,
London,
EC1V 9BD
(0207) 490 5230
The ViewLondon Review
Thai Thai East is a five minute walk from Old Street Tube but away from the trendy hordes of Hoxton Square. With a varied and well executed menu and relaxed atmosphere, Thai Thai East is a cut above your average Thai restaurant.
The Venue
The dining space is large and opulently decorated making a refreshing change from the proliferation of generic Thai eateries to be found across the city. Contrasting deep red and cream walls create a sense of warmth and space complemented by gold wall hangings. The large stained glass skylight is an unusual feature which brings both light and colour to the room. The latticed wooden furniture lacks a little in comfort but the tables are a good size for those sharing a number of dishes.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Thai Thai East is informal and convivial. Couples are interspersed with larger groups of friends and families. At prime dining times the restaurant is likely to be busy and booking ahead is recommended. The size of the restaurant means that Thai Thai East can comfortably accommodate a large number of covers without feeling overcrowded and this creates a buzzing party atmosphere without noise levels overwhelming conversation. Whilst the service isn’t always flawlessly slick this doesn’t detract from the fact that the staff are attentive and happy to recommend. Long after the meal is finished you may well be tempted to linger over coffee and savour the experience of dining out.
The Food
The range of choice extends to the food menu and Thai fans will find that all their favourites are well represented here along with some more unusual dishes. The menu is littered with typos, most amusing being dish 102, Deep Fried Craps, but don’t let this put you off. The quality of the food is consistently high.
Of the starters the Thai fish cakes (£5.95) are not the most inspiring, being a little greasy, chewy and disappointingly small. The dipping sauce also lacks a little in flavour over- compensated for in spice. The duck spring rolls (£5.95) represent a much better choice. Well presented in an edible basket, these open ended spring rolls are crispy and well filled with tender strips of duck and crunchy vegetables. If you are looking for a lighter start to your meal there is also a good selection of soups on offer.
Mains cover the classic Thai curries, an almost baffling selection of stir fry dishes and a number of fish options. The Mussaman curry with river prawns (£12.95) is a good choice for those who prefer their curries mild. The coconut sauce is rich and flavoursome and high quality prawns come butterflied, still in the shells. Continuing the theme of high quality seafood The pla kha png nung king (£14.95) is also highly recommended. A whole steamed sea bass served with ginger, spring onions, chilli and soy sauce, the fish is cooked to perfection, flaking off the bone whilst still retaining its texture. The sauce is simple and delicate and does not overwhelm the fish. The real highlight is the Ped Makham (£10.95) a signature dish of Thai Thai East and one of which they are justifiably proud. This crispy duck breast comes covered in a sweet, sticky tamarind sauce which is topped with cashew nuts. This is a rich dish with strong flavours and not for the fainthearted but if you are looking for something different to excite your taste buds this is one for you.
Whist Thai restaurants are not usually renowned for their dessert selections there is a good selection of standard issue ice cream based deserts. The Mystic Mango (£3.95) is a pleasant example of this, coming served with fresh summer berries. If you have room for something more substantial the kreuy bod chee (£4.20), the Asian equivalent of bananas and custard, is a comforting and satisfying end to a meal.
The Drink
The cocktail list at Thai Thai East comes as a pleasant surprise, being both extensive and unusual. The execution is also superb. The Thai Thai Lychee Martini is a work of art. Garnished with a lychee and red chilli skewered on a stick of lemongrass, this superb cocktail combines vodka, lychee liquor, chilli, lemongrass and sugar in just the right ratios. The end result is refreshing, just the right side of sweet but with a spicy after-kick. The flavours are the perfect warm up for a Thai meal.
The wine list is also comprehensive although there are limited options for those wishing to order by the glass. Prices range from £12.95 for the house selections through to £30.00. The Macon Villages, Domaine Botti (£18.50) is a fruity Chardonnay that comes recommended by Thai Thai East staff as a good accompaniment to Thai food and works particularly well with the fish dishes. For beer drinkers there are the usual Asian staples of Singha, Chang and Tiger all at £3.20 a bottle as well as a good selection of spirits and non-alcoholic beverage choices.
The Last Word
Spot on for quality and variety, Thai Thai East’s idiosyncrasies only add to its charm.
Thai Thai East has been reviewed by 8 users