Best Thai restaurant west of M25?

[LunarOne]

Hi Thames Valley and Surrey PHers,

I've been repeatedly asked by a friend to take her out for dinner, but I have to make the reservations for Saturday night. She wants Thai food (which I thoroughly approve of) and doesn't want to go too far from home, which for her is Sunningdale area. There used to be a fantastic Thai called Siam Food Gallery near me in Virginia Water, but it closed to make way for housing. There's a Siam Food Gallery still in Esher but I haven't been and I think that might be too far for her. Don't want to go to Slough or Bracknell for obvious reasons.

Every other Thai I can find is a commercial glass-fronted shop or a chain. Not interested in taking her to a Giggling Squid sort of place.

I know that Thai Corner in Reading used to be very good, but I don't think she wants to go that far. Thai Orchid in Maidenhead looks like the sort of place, but there are some reviews that make me think it's not good and not very authentic despite the decor.

Are there any gems that you know of that I might not have found on Google Maps? A place in Egham gets good reviews from another friend but that friend is not really a foodie and the restaurant is the usual glass-fronted place I try to avoid. I'm looking to make an impression!

Thanks!

[HiAsAKite]

Is RumWong still around in Guildford?

[edc]

HiAsAKite said:

Is RumWong still around in Guildford?

I believe it's still there. Not been for ages. There is also Thai Terrace down the road. A bit more fancy looking, more pretentious and, from a long time ago, food not quite as good as Rumwong.

[edc]

I've also been to Thai Lotusland in Farnham but sadly again not for a few years.

[LunarOne]

Neither of these two came up in my searches, and while they both look good they are both a half hour drive away and she wants to stay local which I take to mean 15 minutes or so drive. I might check those out in my own time.

There's Thai Square in Windsor. I haven't been there in years, I think because I thought it was terrible. They don't even have Yum Woonsen glass noodle salad on the menu, and I've found that to be a good indicator of a decent Thai...

[edc]

Thai Square is nice enough but if you have been to nice Thai restaurants you may find it underwhelming. It's a chain.

[LunarOne]

Yes, I don't think I was very impressed.

I've thought of another good one, but it's too far away - The Thai Orchid in Banbury does lovely food and the decor is really nice too. If she didn't mind the distance then I'd probably take her there.

[Ranger 6]

Sorry, don't have a suggestion, but seeing your comment about the Siam Food Gallery, I remember seeing Eddie Jordan and family in there one night

[CloudStuff]

edc said:

I've also been to Thai Lotusland in Farnham but sadly again not for a few years.

I went there fairly recently. Can heartily recommend. Parking not great, but worth that faff. Fantastic: food service and atmosphere.

[127Sport]

LunarOne said:

There's Thai Square in Windsor. I haven't been there in years, I think because I thought it was terrible. They don't even have Yum Woonsen glass noodle salad on the menu, and I've found that to be a good indicator of a decent Thai...

The problem with Windsor is that all restaurants are lowest common denominator ste for tourists, they don't have to try because most of their customers will never come back anyway.

I can't stand Thai food, too much coconut flavour in seemingly everything.

However, I often pass Thai Table in Caversham and it's always packed, 7 days a week. They must be doing something right.

[CloudStuff]

As a general, wider public service, don't go to the Turner's Arms in Mortimer.

The food is actually decent, for Thai takeaway. But the landlord is probably the rudest I've ever encountered. Thought he was a pastiche of Basil Fawlty at first.

Edited by CloudStuff on Friday 6th November 10:12

[LunarOne]

But are they are rude at Wong Kei in Chinatown used to be? I never heard about this legendary place until they'd cleaned up their act. Shame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Kei

[LunarOne]

127Sport said:

The problem with Windsor is that all restaurants are lowest common denominator ste for tourists, they don't have to try because most of their customers will never come back anyway.

You've hit the nail on the head there.

127Sport said:

I can't stand Thai food, too much coconut flavour in seemingly everything.

However, I often pass Thai Table in Caversham and it's always packed, 7 days a week. They must be doing something right.

Thanks - this is the kind of place I've been looking for. I'll add it to my list of places to try but I fear it's too far for my friend on this occasion. I've given her some choices and she's gone for the new place in Egham.

[OPOGTS]

LunarOne said:

127Sport said:

However, I often pass Thai Table in Caversham and it's always packed, 7 days a week. They must be doing something right.

Thanks - this is the kind of place I've been looking for. I'll add it to my list of places to try but I fear it's too far for my friend on this occasion. I've given her some choices and she's gone for the new place in Egham.

It’s nice, I’ve been a few times. It won’t be winning awards for atmosphere mind you, decent though.

Would recommend pre-cocktails in Angel Bar which is round the corner