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Amaranth

346-348 Garratt Lane, SW18 4ES Full details & map

Restaurant: Thai

Time Out says 5 Users say 5/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Oct 18 2011

Amaranth has built a loyal following over the past decade for its bold flavours and low prices (helped by a BYO policy). In fact, it's so popular that booking is required every night, and table-turning after 90 minutes is the norm. Dining takes place on two floors (ground level with kitchen, and a slightly more spacious basement), both caff-like in demeanour, sporting vividly patterned wallpaper. Service is brisk, though polite, from young Thai staff.

But on this visit we couldn't help feeling that culinary standards had slackened. Pad thai comprised flaccid, broken noodles, with bean sprouts the dominant taste; the flavours provided by salty fish sauce, sour tamarind juice and hot pepper were notably subdued. A crisp som tam was better, as it used proper green papaya and not substitutes, but again it lacked kick. A steamboat dish of prawns was fine, the aroma of lemongrass filling the air as the lid was lifted, though the stock was a little one-dimensional. Let's hope this meal was a glitch, and there's a return to the consistent form of recent years.

Tags: South-East Asia, Thai, South West, Earlsfield, Budget, Restaurant

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Amaranth details

Address

Amaranth

346-348 Garratt Lane SW18 4ES

Transport Earlsfield rail or bus 44, 77, 270

Telephone

020 8874 9036

Dinner served 6.30-10.30pm Mon-Sat

Main courses £8-£10. Set dinner £16.50-£22 3 courses. Unlicensed. Corkage (wine) £2.75

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Booking essential, Takeaway service

Amaranth map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 5 ratings)

By Tom - Feb 17 2012

5/5

Don't let this review sway you - see for yourself why the place is full pretty much every night and why people go back again and again. We frequently order their canapes for dinner parties at home and they are truly exceptional. I live in Thailand a lot of the time myself and have pretty strong opinions on Thai food. The fact that the reviewer was ordering Pad Thai and Som Tam together raises immediate questions about their knowledge of Thai food, flavours and what dishes go with what. Maybe 2 stars was what this restaurant needed to make the real customers spring up in defence! Thai food is always a matter of personal taste. If you sit around any table in Thailand it is likely that most people will have their own opinion about the best balance of flavours for any of the dishes above. To stand up as an 'expert' requires some real self-belief. Don't listen to reviews - taste their food and decide for yourself. Restaurants like this don't thrive for as long as they have for no reason.

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By Maz - Feb 13 2012

5/5

2 stars? Really?! Great food, reasonable prices and BYO. A great local restaurant in Earlsfield that deserves 4 stars at least. Don't be mislead by the 2 stars given by timeout!!!

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By caroline - Feb 13 2012

I have to say, Amaranth is the best takeaway I have been to in London. I actually prefer the take-away to the restaurant, but only went to the restaurant once...

This says it all for me: Last week, I ordered my regular - tom yum soup (delish) and on arriving home, I realised that I hadn't got any noodles. I called up the take-away and she looked up my order. She said that there must have been a mistake in the order - I wasn't asked if I would like noodles and therefore hadn't been given any. She asked for my address and said that a taxi would be round to drop off the noodles in 10 minutes. She arrived 10 minutes later, not only with the noodles but also with a new, bigger portion! You cannot get better service than that! 10 stars from me - keep up the great work Amaranth!

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By emma - Jan 3 2012

5/5

I've loved this restaurant being a local to the area for the past 10 years. Conveniently located next to Earlsfield station it offers a delicious range of Thai treats. Yummy green curry!

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By Rick - Dec 28 2011

Don't be misled by Timeout's 2 stars. Having lived in Earlsfield almost 4 years now, and being a regular at the restaurant, takeaway and supermarket versions of Amaranth- they never disappoint. (The supermarket is great btw if you fancy cooking up at home with proper ingredients- supermarket and takeaway has relocated to old home next to Cafe Nero) Restaurant is probably the best taste and value for money offering in Earlsfield.

Like anything- go see for yourself... and see why general public continues to give such good ratings.

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By Dave - May 8 2011

5/5

Absolutely amazing Thai food. Defintely the best I have tasted, period. Cheap and great service. Will be going back again and trying the take-away menu. Well worth popping into the take-away next door as it sells the meals as frozen and lots of other essential Thai cooking ingredients.

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By M Heyn - Aug 18 2010

An excellent local restaurant with great food and a very buzzy atmosphere. The opening hours above are not correct. It stays open later and doesn't open at 8 am. It is also bring your own so you are alllowed alcohol.