Thai Thai

My mum booked for us to eat at Thai Thai East when she, my dad and other members of my family came up to London for a visit. She chose it because we could use mine and my boyfriend's tastecard. If it had not been for that, we would have never come across this restaurant. Old Street is not exactly central.

However, when we arrived we were told we could not use the taste card because we did not have a 'reference number'. Now, my mum DEFINITELY enquired whether she could use the taste card when she booked, and was told that she could, but was given no reference number. Despite explaining this, we were told we were lying! Yes, we, who booked in advance and went out of their way to eat there, were lying. The waitresses was accusatory and defensive (a sign of guilt in my book).

We left, as there is one thing I cannot abide and that is being cheated. My boyfriend (whose has lived and worked in Thailand), like me, was convinced it was a scam. Either the reference number was a sham or we were not given it on purpose. Why? Well, I will bet that nine out of ten people would sit down and eat anyway, paying full price (which btw is overpriced). That is people's nature and it does not help that the restaurant is out of the way, so there are no obvious restaurants nearby.

We know the area, as we work nearby, and went to a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant just round the corner, where the service was brilliant (it is a family run place), as was the food and the prices (we paid for the six of us what we would have paid in Thai Thai East with the discount!). Ironically, the Vietnamese place was filled with people, while Thai Thai East had only one table filed. I am surprised they turned away six people who would have drunk their moneys worth. Lets face it, Thai food is not expensive to make, so even with the discount they make money on it.

My advice, stay away from this place. There are plenty of Asian restaurants nearby - just head towards Shoreditch church.