Busaba Eathai - Bird Street - London

I have been wanting to try Busaba Eathai for awhile now and we finally did this weekend after visiting The British Museum. We chose the one behind Selfridge's (8-13 Bird Street) but there are two other locations (22 Store Street and 106-110 Wardour Street).

Thankfully when we went it was early dinner on Sunday and not very crowded at all. That was a benefit based on the way they do their seating. I don't mind the communal tables at Wagamama that much but wasn't that impressed with the ones at Busaba Eathai. The tables are huge squares that fit three people on each side, so rather than sit across from your companion you sit around a corner of the table (for two people). The only other option was to sit at the bar-like seats at the windows.

I quite liked the decor otherwise and felt like it had a very warm feeling with low lighting and minimal decorations.

So, for the food:

Annie:

Phad kwetio (₤7.50) - rice stick noodle with smoked chicken, prawn and holy basil - I really liked my dish and was happy they could make it not spicy for me (it is listed as spicy on the menu)

Cranberry presse (₤2.40) - it was actually cranberry and acai and was like juice with seltzer water which I always enjoy

(I had wanted the Pandan chicken (₤7.30) - marinated in garlic and coriander root, wrapped in pandan leaf - but they were out!)

Eddie:

Phad Thai jay (₤6.50) - Vegetarian Phad Thai with tofu and no egg - Eddie liked his choice but wasn't raving about it

Guava collins (₤3.00) - guava, passion fruit, lime and ginger - Eddie has a knack for picking out the best drinks on the menu; a very delicious juice that he wasn't happy to share!

One thing that I was a little puzzled by was why some of the Sides cost almost as much as some of the mains, especially when the Sides were just vegetables! Of all the Sides, including the predictable Chicken satay (₤4.40), the most expensive ones were vegetables (French bean and mange tout (snow peas) (₤5.60), Chinese broccoli (₤5.60), Grilled aubergine (eggplant) (₤5.70)). Of course I am no expert in the cost of food but I know when we grocery shop meat and seafood is much more expensive than vegetables! We opted out of any of these but I would hope that the portions were huge for those prices.

My only other gripe is that for a restaurant with multiple locations and extremely fancy digital menus outside you would think they would have a website. I have tried searching for one online to no avail and they don't advertise one on their menu.

So, all in all eating there satisfied my curiosity about the place but we weren't impressed enough to return.