I have to confess that I’m not that knowledgeable about Thai food. 

We’re very lucky to have a lovely neighbour who is Thai, and every so often she offers a delicious Thai takeaway menu (TW Thai if you’re wondering – you can find it on Facebook). 

When my friend and colleague, Lyndsay, heard that Rosa’s Thai was opening in Richmond, she was itching to come with me to the opening evening: she’s a yogini (@lyndsay.kenwright) and just returned from a yoga retreat in Thailand, had been so impressed with the Thai food

About Rosa’s Thai

The first branch was in Spitalfields,  and all the food is highly authentic and freshly cooked to order.  They use curry pastes from a husband and wife team in Thailand’s Huai Yod district, and noodles from a third generation family business. 

It was started in 2008 by Saiphin Moore and there are now 40 branches.

Richmond branch is in a prime location in Hill Street.

Our Visit

We were welcomed by Saiphin Moore, Rosa’s co-founder.  She’s quite an amazing business woman.

There was a special menu for opening night and we chose to share Fresh Veggie Summer Rolls and Thai Calamari to start. 

But before our starters were brought to us, we were given baskets of delicious prawn and pumpkin crackers with sweet chilli sauce to enjoy with a glass of wine.

Starters

Our starters were excellent:  the Summer Rolls were packed with vegetables and served with a spicy chilli sauce and peanuts. 

The Calamari were coated with Tom Yum spices and our server suggested we try them prior to squeezing the lime wedge across them. 

This we did and it certainly gave us a delicious, crunch start to these crispy calamari.

Mains

For our mains, Lyndsay had already had a discussion with Saiphin and asked if she could have Prawn Panang.

It had a good depth of flavour, the prawns were perfectly cooked and the vegetables tasted very fresh. Lyndsay’s tried many Thai curries on her travels, and said this was up there with food she had tasted in Thailand and also in Sydney, where there are also plentiful Thai restaurants/eateries.

I noticed the chap at the next table being served a superb plate of food and was told that it was chicken Pad Thai, so I couldn’t resist choosing the same. But I chose the prawn version (veg & pulled mushrooms or chicken are other Pad Thai options on the menu). 

It was really delicious, and I’m drooling at the memory of it as I write this review.  It was salty, spicy, with a lovely tamarind kick. 

 

Puds

To be honest we didn’t need any puds, but in the interests of this review, chose portions of Thai Churros and Chocolate Brownie to share. 

The piping hot, crispy churros were dusted in cinnamon sugar and served with a sweet condensed milk sauce for dipping.  It tasted almost like a white chocolate sauce and felt highly indulgent. 

The chocolate brownie was served with coconut ice cream and a tamarind Som Tum sauce on the side.

The brownie itself was dense and rich, but neither of us was wildly keen on the addition of the sauce – it was a rather fierce foray into sweet and savoury at the end of a lovely meal.

To Sum Up

Rosa’s Thai is a great addition to our local foodie scene.

It’s is sure to become a mecca for pre and post cinema goers, as well as all manner of other folk who enjoy a good Thai menu and know its reputation.

It offers excellent value, delicious food and friendly, relaxed service. 

I can’t wait to go back to try Rosa’s Signature ‘Som Tum’ Papaya Salad (“sweet, sour and dangerously addictive with green beans, tomatoes and cashews”)