@gigglingsquid
Giggling Squid
Thai Cuisine, 19 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1LL gigglingsquid.com
I’ve been watched Giggling Squid’s steady rise with interest ever since I covered the opening of their first Surrey restaurant in Reigate some five years ago.
What a breath of fresh air the new Kingston branch is. Finally, I see what all the fuss is about. For a start, the interior is colourful, floral and light. You wouldn’t know it was autumn outside. There are apple green walls, flowers, shells and bright fuschia pink cushions everywhere.
Likewise, the menu at Giggling Squid is crisp and current, serving up all the classics such as ‘farang favourite’ green curry and pad thai, but also more unusual dishes such as crispy pak maew with peanut sauce (a tempura-style leaf not commonly found in the UK) and black sesame ice cream.
Owners Pranee and Andrew have also added chirpy footnotes to each dish, which makes the menu feels very personal. It’s a nice touch.
My dining partner played safe with a crowd-pleasing Salt and Pepper Squid (£7.75) for starters while I ordered the exotic pomelo salad (£7.50) on the basis that I’d never tried pomelo before (in case you are wondering, it’s a large citrus, not unlike a grapefruit). The ingredients positively zinged off the plate.
For our mains, I ordered off-piste and chose the vegetable chilli and basil gra pao (£9.95), a staple Thai stir-fry, while my companion chose Lamb Shank Massaman (£17.50). You know the food’s good when someone says ‘Oh my God’ with every mouthful!
We had ordered a Pad Thai (£8.95) for the table (in true Thai-style) but the manager Edward came over to suggest that we also order coconut rice with the stir-fry (to counterbalance the chilli) and a bowl of brown rice with the Massaman (to balance out the sweetness). His advice was spot on and made the meal. I do like the staff who know the menu well.
What’s more, you don’t have to go for dinner as we did. Giggling Squid is a perfect lunch-time stop thanks to the great value Thai tapas menu. It will certainly add some spice to your shopping. (Vegetarians take note that there is a dedicated meat-free menu – a rarity amongst Thai restaurants.)
Caring for family and elders is at the heart of Thai culture, so Giggling Squid is going against the grain by launching ‘Granentine’s Day’ on 13th February 2020 to pay homage to Grandparents across the UK (how CUTE!).
Each Grandparent treated to a meal at the Thai restaurant chain on 13th February (Granentine’s Day), will receive a free dessert.
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