Tai

I have seen this chain around a few places, and have always been intrigued - by the £3.50 sign they always have hanging out front. Of course, the reality is much different than it seems. Still, the food look fresh and inviting, so we went in.

Food

There were some labels on the food, but I still couldn't really tell what I was eating as the labels were kinda mixed up and everything was like made of tofu. This was vegetarian buffet afterall, so everything kinda look and taste strange. They use very fresh ingredients and the spicing is superb. The food is quite oily, but surprisingly, it's one of the best Asian meals I've had for ages. Highlights were the "meat" balls, tofu and bamboo shoots.

Rating - 6.5

Atmosphere

The place was very Thai looking, with intricate carvings, big lamps and Chinese painting. The food was Asian leaning, but not very Thai though. There were a mix of tourists and Londoners alike, but not many Asians at all. Quite a few people ate by themselves too. It's really a fuelling stop, not an occasion lunch.

We were seated right next to the kitchen, even though there were plenty of other seats available. Every time they open the kitchen door (which was very often), you get a cold blast of kind in your face. Oh yeah, they play Chinese music too!

Rating - 2

Service

It's buffet, so you help yourself. They save cost by only giving you one plate, so the plate was pretty disgusting by the end. I used my tea to rinse it down before dessert.

The waiters were ok, they kept refilling the buffet with big tubs from the kitchen, and I managed to get some hot tea a few times.

Rating - 2.5

C-factor

£6.50 for our vegetarian buffet lunch as we were paying Sunday rates. Although they actually don't state that anywhere. Lunch is normally 5.50, but that only applies on a weekday, but they don't tell you that until you pay. We had the tenancy to ask before we sat down, so we were prepared. I think the price is ok, but still, I don't like getting deceived.

Rating - 0.5

Brownie Points - 11.5

Info

53 Warren Street
London
W1T 5NL
Phone +44 (0)20 7387 6875