Thoroughly agreeable place to lunch that offers good value

Rating
4

Never mind the £10 Challenge, it was a challenge making my way through the Capital’s gales to Celadon the Thai restaurant at Causewayside, but its pale green painted walls that contrast the  rough brick ones and its two tone green satin cushions, bare wood tables and floor, created a general effect of calm that was especially welcome on that wild day.

The varied set lunch menu, that has a vegetarian option, offered two courses for £7.99. My lunch companion for the day is a regular at Celadon so I was guided by her as to my choice as Thai is not a cuisine I am particularly familiar with.

For a starter, A. chose Chicken satay which is skewered chicken served with a light peanut sauce and a delicate salad. I went for Prawn tempura which was two prawns done in batter and served with fine julienne cut salad of carrot and lettuce and a small and delicious dip. The chicken was tender and tasty and the prawns perfectly cooked. A lovely start!

A self-confessed chilli head, A. chose the classic Thai green curry and found the pale  soupy sauce both ‘robust and flavoursome’. Going on her advice, I took the Ginger chicken that came with generously cut and nicely cooked onions, peppers and spring onions. The dish had a sharp yet delicate taste that was piquant but not overwhelming. Both dishes were colourful and served with a generous mound of rice.

Jasmine tea was the perfect digestif to this already clean, light and delicate meal. It came served in a tall glass cup with a cylindrical infuser reminiscent of a tiny old fashioned musical disc that was cute and also did the job well.    A.’s white coffee also looked very good. We left with a feeling of being refreshed without being over full. There seems to be nothing stodgy in Thai food and the sense of being cleansed as well as being fed is a very pleasant one.

The service was extremely polite even incorporating some slight bowing that was gracious and not at all obsequious. This is a thoroughly agreeable place to lunch that offers good value at that time of day.

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