Cats Cafe Des Artistes

thamshere

Best Thai in Town 19th January 2009

2 found this helpful

Despite the ubiquitous nature of Thai food in London, *good* Thai food is hard to find. Occasionally one will chance upon a great cook hidden away in a pub down some dead-end street, but generally it's all pretty average: westernised, bland and boring.

Cats is one of those few stand-out restaurants that get it right. I've no idea how I have gotten so lucky as to live just round the corner. So far I have only tried the jungle and red curries and the jasmine & coconut rice but I will be going back, again and again and again, until I have sampled the whole menu.

Having spent a few months around Thailand, I don't think I'm blowing my own trumpet when I say I can tell the wheat from the chaff, and this is most definitely the wheat. The red curry was delicately flavoured (not so heavy on the spice as you might find in Thailand, but I'm sure they would up the dosage if you asked nicely) - each mouthful was a feast for my tongue. The jasmine rice was the perfect accompaniment.

The jungle curry, a dish normally so spicy it's hard to determine what it is supposed to taste like, was undeniably hot yet retained a depth of flavour I have not found in any other. It was as near perfect as I think I shall ever find.

The restaurant itself is very nicely decked out - it reminds me of the style of restaurants in Thailand with lots of dark, rough-cut wood and (quite bizarrely) a tuk-tuk in the window by the door. The staff were pleasant, attentive. The food came uickly and was well-presented.

The only Thai place I have been to in London which compares is Nid Ting over on Holloway Road, but Cats has the advantage not only in food but also in atmosphere. Best Thai in Town.

Make a bee-line for Cats and find out what Thai food is supposed to be.

annepotter1984

Very nice indeed 29th August 2008

0 found this helpful

I think I would give this restaurant an eight out of ten. I really liked the food that they served, and I found that the prices were quite reasonable as well. The service was not too bad, and the staff were very friendly. I really liked the decor on the walls, and the best feature in my opinion was the really nice fountain. This was a good touch, and gave the place a really nice atmosphere. The wines were acceptable too, so much so that we were quite merry by the end of the meal! I can see myself going back there many times in the future. Great food, great wine, great atmosphere and a lovely chilled out ambiance. Very much recommended.

nancygirl86

Best Thai Restaurant......... 30th May 2007

5 found this helpful

This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been too, the food is absolutely amazing, and not over priced. The atmost is great, really laid back. The decor is also really cool, they have a water fountain towards the back of the restaurant, and there is a random mix of beatles memrobilia and asian art on the walls.....very cool, you should go!!!