Thai Square, Windsor Tuesday 13th September

Venue:-            Thai Square, Thames Street Windsor.

Telephone:-            01753 868900

Web:-              www.thaisquare.net

Thai Square is a small chain of Thai restaurants with eleven branches in London and six in the suburbs. The Windsor restaurant which we visited is situated opposite the castle and next to the Theatre Royal, and as it was a Tuesday we didn’t bother to book. Oh! That was a mistake! This is a 125 seat restaurant and it was full, but they managed to tuck us into a corner in the very large conservatory area. The restaurant is split over three sections a small section from where you enter next to the theatre and a similar section if you enter from the side street opposite the car park, both leading into the very large, very modern, very high glass ceiling conservatory dominated in the centre by a huge earthenware pot with bamboo sticking out that reaches the ceiling. The place was buzzing and full of atmosphere, there were couples, large party groups, works do’s and a family groups

Three guests, three courses, apperifs, wine and coffee - £111.50

The menu is very large with everything you could ask for from a Thai menu, starters of Thai fishcakes, corn fritters to name but two, soups, salads pork dishes, prawn dishes, trout, noodles, rice and lovely accompaniments  such as spinach with ginger and topped with garlic. Dishes range from mild through to very hot – the 3 chilli symbol.

Starters:-  We chose the mixed starters so we try a few different items – Chicken satay, excellent tasted as though the chicken was fried in peanut oil and then of course dipped into the satay sauce, simply wonderful. Spring rolls, money bags (pork in filo – I believe), spare ribs and corn fritters. Very nice.

Mains :- All the mains are reasonably priced with most around the £7.50 to £8.50 price. The Pai Gai (Jungle curry) was a 3 chilli dish and was declared one of the best eaten. The Gai Med Mamuang (chicken with cashew nuts) was very nice but was  too mild – it had no chillies so we can’t really complain.  I had the Moo Prik Khing (Pork in shrimp paste with long beans and chilli) a 2 chilli dish – excellent. Steamed rice (£1.50), fried rice, mixed vegetables and the spinach/ginger accompanied the meal. A worthy comment here, the dishes were plentiful and not covered with the usual inedible decorations that normally go with Thai dishes – probably these are the largest dishes that I have encountered in any Thai restaurant.

Dessert :- Full up! But in the interests of reporting we had plain coconut ice-cream, creamy and delicious, a mango and coconut dessert again very tasty and finally the sticky rice with mango – this is to die for, they only have  it a couple times a week so if they have it – try it, you will not be disappointed.

Drinks:- Chang beer was £3.90 a bottle – too damn expensive, but it does seem the norm these days. Orange juice £1.80 – cheaper than usual. Bottle of Nito Malbec at £22.50 way too expensive, it is a very nice Malbec but should be nearer £16.00 – its only £5.85 in the supermarkets and they must get it cheaper. Coffee is Illy and is very nice.

All in all a very nice restaurant, we will go again but next time we will book!