EAT: Janetira, Soho, London

Janetira Dining Room, Soho, London

Location: London, England
No of Tables: Circa 10
Cuisine: Thai
Price: Dishes from £4.50
Date Visited: July 2013

After a failed attempt to get into Flat Iron (the epitome of mainstream marketed as boutique - not that this takes anything away from the great steaks) my friend and I took a winding tour around the streets of Soho. I am not at all good when I'm hungry, so necessity dictated that we duck into this little Thai restaurant on Brewer Street. I am so glad that we did.

The restaurant is tiny, holding a maximum of 25 people. However, this meant that it felt intimate and homegrown. The menu was basic, with the usual Thai fare: gyoza, spring rolls, pad thai, a range of curries. We went for vegetable gyozas and steam pork rolls, followed by a jungle curry and a green chicken curry. The food took a little while to come out to us, but I take this as a sign that the food is fresh, and we were in no rush. When it did come out, the gyozas and dipping sauce matched those that became my staple diet whilst travelling in Thailand. The curries, made without coconut milk, were still of a substantial consistency and were packed full of fresh vegetables. On top of this, the heat did not pander to the English taste; the curries were seriously hot! I personally love this anyway, but our waitress did warn us ahead of ordering, so we only had ourselves to blame. The staff kept our water glasses topped up to combat the fiery treatment that our mouths were receiving.

If you're after something a little stronger than water, however, the restaurant offers a limited selection of cocktails for £5 each, and a similarly limited selection of wine, ranging from £3.50 to £6.00 per glass. A reasonable price for central London.

So all in all, a great little find and the perfect option for a cheap but tasty meal in Soho. I'll be returning; provided that I can find it again!

Find out more and book a table here: www.janetira.co.uk