Name: Thai Square
Address: 166-170 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, Trafalgar Square, WC2R 1BA, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7836 7600
Rating: 7

Right at the heart of theatre land and just around the corner from Chinatown is this large but intimate Thai restaurant. Like others in the chain, the décor is decidedly Thai with large sprays of orchids, wooden wall carvings, roof rafters and Buddha statues all around.

There are a few dining tables at the front of the restaurant – just by the large bar. Then there is a narrower dining area before the place opens up into a high-ceilinged hall which looks and feels as if it really is in Thailand.

Amongst the couples, lone diners and small groups there were also a few larger groups of Thai families which had to be a good sign. Tea lights on the tables and the surrounding flowers gave it a romantic feel.

We were there to join in the Thai New Year celebrations (these start on 13th April and continue for weeks) which involved lots of ornately and colourfully dressed dancers (both male and female) performing a variety of intricate and graceful traditional dances. Their friendly, smiling faces added to the charm as they moved around the restaurant.

We had a Kir Royale cocktail to get the evening started. And then embarked on the Platinum set menu (£36.50 per person) with a bottle of cold Monsoon Valley white wine which was a little sweet but a perfect accompaniment to the spicy food.

First up was aromatic duck – served exactly as you expect it to be with Hoisin sauce, steamed pancakes, cucumber and spring onions. I have to say that we were both a bit disappointed that the duck was a little dry.

Next we were presented with large shells in which nestled steamed king scallops with a Thai green curry sauce. The scallops were tender and moist and the curry sauce – as you might expect- was exemplary.

Then came the main courses – with side dishes of pak choy, pad tang tak (excellent smoky noodles) and steamed jasmine rice. The weeping tiger chargrilled marinated sirloin of beef comprised well-cooked generous slices of beef with a dipping chilli sauce that was powerful. We both thought that the fried aromatic crispy duck with tamarind sauce was the stand-out dish. My companion declared it “a party in my mouth”.

The green prawn curry was also good and the “prawns love scallops” with the chef’s special sauce and a heap of asparagus was an unusual but welcome dish.

For dessert there was a creamy smooth coconut ice cream with chunks of exotic fresh fruit.

It was a feast and we were replete at the end of the meal. And judging by the large number of diners with white paper carrier bags, it seems that many had taken home some of the food for later consumption.

There are also branches in Windsor, Trafalgar Square, Minories and Mansion House in the City, Richmond, Fulham, Islington, St Albans and Putney Bridge.

Monday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 22:30
Tuesday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 23:00
Wednesday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 23:00
Thursday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 23:00
Friday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 00:00
Saturday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 00:00
Sunday	Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00 Open 17:30 - Closes 22:30

Thai Square

All In London Review

User Reviews