From Khan's to Kwan's! Why? BECAUSE it's nearly my birthday whoooo!
So in honour of imminently turning the insignificant age of 26, my lovely Mum and Stepdad took me and my sister Geoff out to dinner. (why is she called Geoff? Because she looks like one to me, in a beautiful girl type way) It's fairly common for us to all go to the Thai in the Vic in Oxshott when there is the excuse of someone's birthday, we're all Thai obsessives and there isn't a vast plethora of good thais to hand round here really. In Surrey I mean, have been to the Blue Elephant when it was in Fulham (i gather it's moved??) and that was ENCROYABLE! incredible even. With the price tags to prove it - but worth it!
However. The Kwan Thai in the Victoria in Oxshott it was on a Saturday night, 4 days premptively (might have made that word up) of my birthday, presents has been opened, new nail varnish had been applied and lo and behold the sun had actually decided to shine all day so we were all in good spirit. I decided to forego lunch in anticipation of the meal and succeeded in not becoming unreasonably angry as a result of this. Must be present receiving that alleviates this malady... take notes family.
For a Saturday it really wasn't very busy, we had booked ahead to bag a space in the pub area as this has a bit more atmosphere than the more obviously restaurant dedicated area of the pub towards the back. The pub is a proper old traditional one, obvious regulars line the bar stools, ceilings you could crack your head on, carpet you could get drunk off if inhaled too closely (NEVER do this, just made myself gag a bit imagining this) but a nice chilled vibe. The tables to the left of the pub through an alcove are all Kwan Thai dedicated. None of the tables were set for dinner, we couldn't remember if it's always been like this but was a bit annoying as food ended up arriving before cutlery and i was ready to stab someone in the back of the hand for holding me up, you know, if i had a fork.
On arrival, Le Belle Pere, herein to be referred to as Thomas. John, Thomas. (Yes this pretty much sums up the sense of humour in my family) was despatched to the bar for wine. You can have table service if you wish but easier to just go to the bar and do it separately. And a wee pot of prawn crackers arrived at the same time. Half the thai style ones, half the traditional big white disc ones. Gone in about 30 seconds so when placing our order we ordered a 2nd round. bit of a wait and John flagged down another waiter to remind them, and lo and behold they arrived. Were devoured. And then MIRACULOUSLY another one arrived! I can tell thee now, I was all round having a GREAT day.
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| Tom Kah Kai - (Poultryless and Shrooming) |
This soup is my all time favourite starter, it's my death row starter. And if I'm being UBER critical, it was a bit too creamy (ugh hate that word) and not quite sour enough, it was still entirely delicious, but sometimes you just get the PERFECT tom kah kai, and this wasn't it, but I'd still eat it daily given the choice. For those not sure, Tom Kah Kai is a coconut based hot and sour soup traditionally with poached chicken pieces in it. Flavoured with fish sauce, coriander, lemongrass, lime juice, chicken stock and galangal which is an earthier tasting root in same family as ginger.
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| Yum - Beef Salad |
Prawn Pad Thai - Delicious
Noodles with beef in a curry sauce (listed as INSANELY spicy. it lied, not even a peep)
Sliced roasted duck with chilli and basil (LOVELY- full of flavour and had a good kick)
Scallops in a ginger and spring onion sauce (John' Thomas' fave)
Chicken Panang Curry (i didn't try much, but La Mere and Geoff said too salty, not as good as usual)
aaaaaaaaaand a steamed rice.
WHOA - almost forgot - Yum. A salad with thinly sliced beef which is just amaze. (btw it's actually called 'Yum' not just my thoughts on this)
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| Not at all Spicy Curry Noodles - Don't bother |
Overall was a lovely meal but the service wasn't great, even though it wasn't very busy they just seemed a bit understaffed, but I believe this comes down to management expectation as my friend is always telling me I fail abysmally at - but CHECK this: it's a pub. that serves grat thai food. the settings tell you from the start this isn't some fancy pants place with a mosaic ship of a bar, a small river running through it and someone who follows you to the loo to make sure you don't have to suffer the strain and stress of having to turn on a tap for yourself (i'm coming back soon Blue Elephant!!!) so all in all it is great.
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| Tasty as DUCK! |
Got to be a bit careful about what you order as the prices can rocket pretty sharpish, some of the dishes with more expensive ingredients like king prawns were round about £18 a dish!! far too much in my opinion. But the more standard beef and chicken dishes sit at a more rational £7-8 which for the quality of the meat used etc is more than reasonable.
Points out of ten? drum roll please..... 8! it's not INSANELY perfect, but it is damn tasty, and i like the relaxed vibe of the pub - on certain occasions.
aghhhhh uploading these pictures has made me crave thai again. i just KWAN get enough of it... OOOHHhhhhhhhhh... AWFUL.
get it from my dad, sorry!
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