We rarely stray beyond the temptations of the fantastic range of restaurants and cafes in the Village for dinner at a the weekends but last night was special, for two reasons. First, I'd eaten in my local favourite, Light Cafe, three times in the previous 24 hours anyway and, although they are well used to seeing and feeding us on a regular basis, even I would have been embarrassed to turn up for a fourth time; and it was dinner for 15 to celebrate two birthdays, so something different was warranted. So all dressed up and quick journey to Kew found us in the the delight Strand on Strand on the Green. A smart cafe during the daytime with seating inside and out, the place transforms into an comfortable and intimate Thai Restaurant in the evenings. We were warmly welcomed by owner Housain, who knew many of our party from his days managing Maison St Cassien in Wimbledon Village, who treated us old friends. Nothing was too much trouble - not even turning up with five more people than we'd booked for. Neither the restaurant or cafe are licensed for alcohol sales but, forewarned, we arrived with bottles of champagne and a rivers-worth of red wine which the restaurant staff deftly chilled, opened and served as required.
The menus promised a range of Thai food that edges a little beyond the standard, but all the old favourites were there as well. Almost everyone choose something different and the veggies in our group were just as satisfied as the meat eaters. Not a single dish disappointed, although I think our numbers, all eating at once, stretched the tiny kitchen in terms of delivering everyone's main course at once and two or three people had to wait a little - five minutes maybe - longer, but it was worth the wait. I'd chosen satay chicken followed a traditional red curry of duck. Both courses were mouth-wateringly presented and, for the satay, the sauce, with its powerful and exotic flavours, was served on the side. The curry was aromatic and had deep and complex flavours although its 'two chilli' marking on the menu had led me to expect a little more punch. Such was the generousity of portions that desserts were not an option but in an instant the lights were dimmed and two sparkly cup cakes atopped with candles were presented by the restaurant to the birthday girls. A round of happy birthday inevitably followed, orchestrated by Housain, in which all the other patrons joined in. Never before have I seen cup cakes large enough to share with a those who wanted a piece.
We will definitely be going back - especially as discovered that it is just a stone's throw from the Thames River Path so suitable for an outing by bike. The only downside to the evening was that I forgot to take my camera so have no pictures to share.
The menus promised a range of Thai food that edges a little beyond the standard, but all the old favourites were there as well. Almost everyone choose something different and the veggies in our group were just as satisfied as the meat eaters. Not a single dish disappointed, although I think our numbers, all eating at once, stretched the tiny kitchen in terms of delivering everyone's main course at once and two or three people had to wait a little - five minutes maybe - longer, but it was worth the wait. I'd chosen satay chicken followed a traditional red curry of duck. Both courses were mouth-wateringly presented and, for the satay, the sauce, with its powerful and exotic flavours, was served on the side. The curry was aromatic and had deep and complex flavours although its 'two chilli' marking on the menu had led me to expect a little more punch. Such was the generousity of portions that desserts were not an option but in an instant the lights were dimmed and two sparkly cup cakes atopped with candles were presented by the restaurant to the birthday girls. A round of happy birthday inevitably followed, orchestrated by Housain, in which all the other patrons joined in. Never before have I seen cup cakes large enough to share with a those who wanted a piece.
We will definitely be going back - especially as discovered that it is just a stone's throw from the Thames River Path so suitable for an outing by bike. The only downside to the evening was that I forgot to take my camera so have no pictures to share.