Today I’m starting a new series about my local area and its myriad restaurants and bars. Starting with Mai Thai Deli. This new Thai restaurant is in a lovely new Wandsworth development called the Ram Quarter. It appeared during Lockdown and obviously had a delayed opening. And I must have walked past it a hundred times during my many, many Lockdown meanders. So at last it’s time to try it.
I adore Thai food. I’ve been to Thailand ten times (I must like it there) and have tried just about everything a Thai menu has to offer. Mai Thai Deli is beautifully decorated and it did really feel a bit like I was in Thailand. And the friendly, helpful service (even through masks) endorsed this feeling. It did also remind me how much I want to go back to the Land of Smiles.
What’s on the menu
There’s a comprehensive menu of all my favourites making decision making difficult on my first visit. We are dumpling lovers so that’s what we started with – steamed pork, prawn and water chestnut dumplings. Now this a dumpling – wow! The tastiest of fillings, loads of it and a beautifully sweet and salty dipping sauce. And rather a large portion too. I know exactly where I’m heading every time I need a dumpling fix.
On one of those many wonderful trips to Thailand I ate this fabulous pineapple fried rice chicken. I was hesitant about ordering it on a drizzly London day – would it taste the same? But I took the plunge – and our lovely waiter assured me I would be enjoying a fabulously authentic dish. And I did. The mix of chicken, sultanas, peppers, onions and pineapple with rice all served up in a pineapple half is delightful. There’s something charming about eating out of a pineapple bowl! And the dish was so light and tasty, packed with pineapple and cashew nuts making it beautifully refreshing. Again a huge portion!
And now for a lovely prawn stir fry. Crispy prawns served with a cashew nut, onion and roasted chilli sauce and a neat little mound of jasmine rice. Such a lovely combination.
Lockdown definitely made me explore my local area more closely. And look longingly at closed up bars and restaurants. So now it’s my time to try them all…and share them with you. Let’s discover all the fabulous foodie offerings Wandsworth has on its plate. Speaking of plates – love the Mai Thai Deli selection. Can’t wait to try more of their tasty morsels.
Today’s price point
Our dinner for two came to £73.13. We shared a starter, had a main course each and shared a lovely bottle of Italian red wine – Oltre Passo Primitivo for £27 (included in the £73.13 total).
Really good value for tasty food and large portions in lovely surroundings.
Mai Thai Deli is at 12 Barley Walk, Ram Quarter, Wandsworth SW18 1UL.
