Time Out has teamed up with tastelondon to offer you a fantastic one month free trial
-
Busaba Eathai
-
Busaba Eathai is in danger of being a bit too cool for school. Incense wafts as you enter the dark wood-lined dining room. Wood so pleased the designers that benches, tables, chopsticks and even menus all shine with the same rich grain motif. The stylish room is populated with chic diners and attractive servers who ask questions like: ‘Are you OK with the dried shrimps in the green papaya salad? They’re strong.’ This makes diners suspect that Alan Yau’s fast-food canteen is not designed for Thai purists, but for Europeans who want a nice atmosphere and simple flavours. On the menu, curries and stir-fries sit next to enticing juices (mandarin juice with lemongrass, mint and chilli was refreshing), highlighting the restaurant’s nod to health. Tom yam noodle soup was a real sinus-clearer, resplendent with chillies and ample fresh greenery, but with only three rather flavourless prawns – £10.90 seemed a bit steep. Trendy cloth takeaway bags might lead diners to grumble that they are paying to much for design affectations. As we went to press, Yau had secured investment to roll out between 20 and 30 branches of Busaba Eathai across the UK – let’s hope they can maintain their hitherto high standards.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
|
|
Advertisement
Details
- 8-13 Bird Street, Marylebone, W1U 1BU
- Area: Marylebone
- Tel: 020 7518 8080
- Category: Thai
- Travel: Bond Street tube
- Times: Meals served noon-11pm Mon-Thur; noon-11.30pm Fri, Sat; noon-10pm Sun
- Price: Main courses £5.50-£10.90
- Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V
Map
Most viewed restaurants
Date of the day
2and2equals6
I'm a chatty, quick witted, financial PR girl who finds life too short to take yourself too seriously! I'm able to keep up with the banter and fit...
|
|
More ways to enjoy Time Out
-
Weekly London newsletter
The best of London in your inbox
-
Time Out Widgets
|
|
One of my favourite places. It's not the place for a quiet conversation but it's got a buzz and the food is delicious, especially the squid with peppercorns.
Attentive service … no chance. I tried to go on Saturday afternoon with my girlfriend; a time when it seemed there were more staff than there customers. Despite this, I had to walk out 15 minutes later, after no one had even come to take our drink order. Quality of ingredients and the skill and imagination of chef you expect to vary by restaurant (and price bracket), attentive customer service, when the restaurant is under half full, you don’t - especially in the current economic climate. I for one won’t ever entertain the idea of ‘eating’ here again, and I will do my upmost to make sure none of my friends or family do.
Pat you are simply a philistine! Is not your fault but the mediocrity of the offering you are costumed to! What is wrong to queue for attentive service and authentic flavors!?
Thumbs up for great food& attentive service!
Food is the fast food version of Thai cuisine (mushy noodles, hard-to-chew calamari). Rushed service (including being given our bill a few minutes after we finished our meal and said that we didn’t want a dessert). Noisy place (even on weekdays). I really don’t understand why people queue to get in this place when you get a better meal from the Thai restaurant a few metres away from Busaba Eathai
Amazing-tasting Thai food. Fast and affordable, with a cool Zen-like atmosphere. Although, it can get quite crowded at the communal tables.
I just got back from Busaba and the service was just terrible! The food is good but i will never go back!