London: Tea Time in Wonderland

An address full of surprises. Known as one of the best thai restaurants of London, I was surprised it is not located in the centre. But ah, you are away from the tourists, along the Thames with a splendid view on the river and they even have a terrace for sunny days…

Just step out of the overground at Imperial Wharf, push the door and be prepared to be transported into an exotic universe: amazing orchids arrangements, sculpted wooden partitions, delicate statues decorated with fresh flowers and bracelets, light shades made entirely from tiny shells. For a few seconds, there is nothing else you can do than open your eyes wide and admire the room. Such a contrast with the outside world! Think of it as a restaurant with a travel option…
The menu develops around three themes – Thai cuisine of yesterday, today and tomorrow – each line describing the dish in minute details. Each word makes you imagine a taste, a particular herb or spice. It is an exquisite torture waiting for the food to arrive -  you just cannot wait! If you did come with friends, try the Mieng Kham. It just has a splendid wow effect when a wooden chest is brought to the table, revealing a collection of cups filled with dried shrimps, peanuts, lime, grilled coconut, chilli, fresh ginger, tamarind sauce and on the side betel leaves. Now play away, just add to the middle of the leaf, fold and enjoy – create the most vibrant combinations, play on sweet, sour spicy, crunchiness, the combinations are endless…How about a cocktail? The Thai Pina plays on coconut and litchee, with a touch of appleton VX and Malibu for a perfect velvety sensation. Close your eyes and pretend you are on a holiday…

Between starter and main, was offered a palate cleanser: a spiced vegetable soup with a lovely lemongrass hint and a pineapple bite beautifully cut, with a spoonfull of crunchy peanut sauce. A surprising combination worth trying at home.

My next choice was the Tamarind duck. A dangerous decision: being from the south of France, trust me, this meat is sacred. It has to be cooked to perfection. It is so delicate it is also a brilliant test to see how good the chef is… Served thinly sliced, so tender you barely have to chew, the fragrances blooming perfectly on the tongue.  The tamarind sauce goes wonderfully with it, the sweet tanginess of it, wrapping each forkfull. Yes, I admit -  I have to bow to this… The dish is served with crunchy seaweeds but do order the Benjarong rice too. Steamed in a banana leaf, it brings a fantastic bouquet of aromas. And look, how beautiful this mix of red rice, lotus nuts and sesame seeds is, with a lovely nutty taste, no need for sauce or any extra. A must have, no matter which dish you order.

What about desserts? Oh the list is mouthwatering indeed. You might as well go for the Kanom Thai,  a selection of four sweet treats. Banana and pineapple leaf, orchid, ideal to share, great to conclude a romantic dinner. Wgat will you taste? A sodsai, a rice pudding cooked in a banana leaf, unctuous, with a heart of caramelised coconut… A jasmine cake, admirably moist and floral…  Golden eggs, gorgeous bites dipped in sugar and jasmine syrup… And the Longan black sticky rice pudding, laced with coconut milk and palm sugar… Divine, a culinary poem.

Ah, if only you could see the list of dishes on the menu, so many choices you can have dozens of meals here and be wowed every time without ordering the same thing twice. Oh, and don’t miss their Sunday brunch either…

The Blue Elephant
The Boulevard
Imperial Wharf
Townmead Road
London SW6 2UB

Mieng Kham

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