Uh? Welcome again, I ask him, as she bustles off behind the open kitchen on the Thai Bar to affix (we’ll later uncover) her mom who’s cooking away with a household pal.
“I used to be right here on Valentine’s Day,” he reveals. Tinder? I ask, chuckling at my very own wittiness. Nah, with a pal after footie, comes the lower than fascinating reply. Contemplating it’s manner over a month since Joe final got here in and likewise that he swears nothing out of the bizarre occurred throughout that meal, tonight’s surprisingly heat welcome – apparently all good eating places was like this – could clarify why the Thai Bar (and restaurant) is such a stealth hit.
This we talk about anyway while forking up crispy battered cubes of deep-fried tofu and dredging them in a really peanutty and clearly hand-knitted peanut and candy chill sauce.
The unusual factor in regards to the Thai Bar (and restaurant) is that it sits like a wallflower within the culinary dance of life, virtually hidden amidst a row of recent retailers, and a grocery store, beside a railway bridge, on the outer fringes of Glasgow’s Shawlands. Which is itself on the outer fringes, virtually, of, if not the recognized world, definitely the Metropolis of Glasgow.
I’ve pushed previous this place 1,000,000 occasions and had by no means as soon as been tempted to stroll in till … I noticed the outcomes of the Scottish Restaurant Awards the opposite day. And, whoa, that place received Thai Restaurant Of The Yr? I believed it was a take-away.
Now, the awards business, I hold forth to Joe (as we delve right into a platter of Tom Yum Fried Rice, curly-wurly prawn tails, crisp fried egg, wedge of lime and a tangy heap of that candy, bitter rice) somebody ought to begin an awards ceremony only for awards ceremonies, to type out the ying from the yang, as a result of a few of them absolutely simply appear to be about getting cash.
However … then … this consequence struck me as a David v Goliath shocker. And so left area it might absolutely solely be tremendous genuine.
Much more left area after we stroll in right here tonight and see the décor: kinda not that far off the Tesco Further subsequent door however one. Sure, it’s brilliant, surprisingly ethereal, there’s even an upstairs, and that spacious open kitchen does dominate; they’ve averted the temptation to drop the place with geegaws from their homeland. Suppose clear then, virtually Ikea-ish. Although nonetheless with a homely twist.
All the things, each single factor, the waitress has stated on one among her cheery, chatty fly-bys, is made in right here by ourselves, nodding at her mum and co within the open kitchen to our left.
These fish desserts definitely affirm that, £8.60 for 4 whoppers, plus accompaniments, having the smack of the not too long ago hand-made. The flavours daring, the looks extra hewn than machine-formed, the end result acquainted, reassuring and fairly satisfying.
I order up a plate of scorching n’ spicy noodles, with beef, and they’re precisely what they declare to be on the menu. Cheek-puckeringly scorching, take-a-deep-breath-here, these are certainly birds eye chillies, the entire laced with candy peppers, chopped onions, topped with snipped spring onion after which the meat itself? Tender and juicy slivers which can be value rooting down into the mound of meals to search out.
Now let’s not get carried away right here. The meals is extra of the consolation selection than the achingly genuine – do they even have Tom Yum Fried Rice in Thailand? – and the menu isn’t making an attempt to reinvent any wheels. Massaman curries, Thai Purple Curries, Penang Curries and a Pad Kra Paow jostle for area with spring rolls, satay and hen in Pandan leaves.
This night, and sure it’s a Tuesday, the place is fairly full. A household down by that window overlooking Kilmarnock Highway, a couple of older {couples} dotted right here and there, a youthful duo sitting immediately throughout from us. It’s a delicate. Comfy vibe. For a snug meal. I can see now why they received.
Thai Bar and Restaurant
317 Kilmarnock Highway,
Glasgow
G43 2XS
Hours: closed Monday
Tel: 0141-328-9156
Menu: the clue is within the title (although no signal of any bar). Thai meals just about as we already realize it, however with the added oomph that’s all of it hand-made in right here by the household. 3/5
Service: That is the actual secret sauce of this restaurant. Mum and daughter enterprise, fabulous, heat, welcoming and really succesful service. 5/5
Value: Actually? It’s not notably low cost with starters hovering on the £8 mark and mains hovering between £14 and £16, however giant parts. 3/5
Environment: Trustworthy hard-working individuals create their very own environment and this place hums with a healthful vibe. 5/5
Meals: The mum makes all of it along with her associates, it’s not notably new stuff, however the Pad Thai had a tang, and the spiced beef had a zing; what extra do you want? 6/10
Complete: 22/30
