Hilltribe

Thai Restaurant in Richmond
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8 / 10 from 1 review
Address
18 Red Lion Street
Richmond
Richmond Upon Thames
TW9 1RW
Map
Telephone
020 8332 9977
Cuisine
Thai
Region
Richmond
Nearest Station
Richmond
0.36 miles
Opening Times
Monday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Tuesday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Wednesday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Thursday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Friday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Saturday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30
Sunday Open 12:00 - Closes 15:00
Open 18:00 - Closes 23:30

Hilltribe Picture Gallery

Hilltribe Picture

All In London Review

Fresh, quality food, good service, and value for money

Review Image
We made the mistake of not making a booking to eat out in Richmond on a Friday night. Isn’t anyone spontaneous anymore?

Anyway, my colleague is an expert on Thai restaurants in the Richmond, Twickenham, Teddington and other local areas and urged me to give this place a go.

When we entered at 7pm it wasn’t very busy and there was a family with a young child so I was hesitant. However, by 830pm the place was practically full and they were mostly young professional couples with a fair number of young people clearly at the start of their Friday evening out. There were one or two more mature people as well.

Whilst the décor isn’t exactly polished, it is rather pretty (upside down parasols suspended from the ceiling, colourful flower prints on the walls, elephant carvings and bright hanging woven banners in the window) and decidedly cheerful.

The staff are polite and efficient (although they could have been a little more attentive when we needed further drinks and more water) and not as silent (but just as softly spoken) as you find in most Thai restaurants. The soft lighting gave it a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Rather than ordering our usual favourites we decided to try out a set menu for two (we choose the seafood option although there are also meat and vegetarian options) – priced at £26.50 per person. The starters arrived accompanied by an earthenware dish with four dipping sauces – peanut satay, sweet chilli, honey oil and a nuts and carrots mixture. The presentation was lovely – long strands of grated carrot on which purple orchids lay – and a large tray with a selection of delicacies. My companion decided that the battered King Prawns and the tender skewers of chicken were her favourite while I liked the Thai fish cakes (piquant and moist). The spring rolls were crispy and not too oily. My favourite though was the dim sum which had a good texture and flavour and just enough heat.

The highlight of the meal for me was the soup – a coconut based delight which was fresh, creamy and tangy with bay leaves, lemon grass, ginger, mushrooms and fat king prawns. My companion declared it “beautiful”. I yearn to be able to make soup this good.

Then the main courses arrived. I was delighted with the whole sea bass which was hidden under a mound of pineapple, crunchy carrots and peppers and spring onions. The squid with vegetables had enough chilli to make it challenging. I really liked the pak choi and stir fry vegetables. The egg fried rice was surprisingly light and not greasy at all. But my companion was in seventh heaven with the prawn green curry. I have to admit that it was creamy and rich and rather good.

Whilst we were replete, the set menu includes dessert so I had the chocolate ice cream and my companion choose the strawberry. She was a clear winner here as it was utterly fresh and the pieces of strawberry gave it a zingy lift.

The bill (including three glasses of wine and service) came to £74 which I thought was good value for the quality and quantity of the food.

I was minded to award a 7/10 for the place but my companion was insistent that she would mark it 10/10. Reflecting on the fresh quality of the food, the generally good service, the value for money and my knowledge of other local Thai restaurants I adjusted my rating to 8/10.

Reviewed by KimT
Published on Oct 6, 2014


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