Rosa’s Thai, Victoria

After mass expansion across all of London’s boroughs, there are very few chains that I still like, and choose to visit… Honest Burgers for a meat fix and Rosa’s Thai for a comforting Asian meal. I have eaten in three or four of the Rosa’s Thai establishments and at every restaurant the food upholds a good quality and the service is charming.

Rosa's Thai, Victoria

This season Rosa’s Thai has opened in Victoria, an area which is in desperate need of tasty, genuine restaurants. It is nicely tucked away on Gillingham Street so you won’t have hoards of tourists to fight off for a seat, and inside the restaurant has a relaxed, neighbourhood feel. The space is simply designed with marble and wooden tables and memorabilia from Thailand.

Rosa's Thai, VictoriaRosa's Thai, Victoria

Chang beer and ginger tea arrived to whet our appetites. The menu offers a range of Thai favourites and we kicked off by ordering a couple of starters… usually chicken satay would be my choice, but I decided to branch out with Chicken Wings and Thai Calamari. Both were tasty and fresh, I thought the chicken wings needed a little more seasoning, but the calamari was perfect with a light crispy batter and served with sweet chilli sauce.

Rosa's Thai, Victoria

The main courses were irresistible, both to smell and taste. Stir fried aubergine is a must, the addictive sauce is made with yellow bean, chilli, soya sauce and sweet basil and is lovely contrast of sweet and salty flavours. The aubergine was luxuriously soft so that it practically melted in the mouth. Of the curries, Roasted Duck red curry was my favourite, a rich and creamy coconut sauce with a comforting sweetness from the grapes, pineapple and cherry tomatoes. Prawn crackers were a naughty but necessary snack.

Currently Rosa’s Thai only offer one dessert, mango with sticky rice… but if like us, you feast too much on the mains, you shouldn’t need a pudding at all.

More information and book a table at Rosa’s Thai Victoria here.

Prodigy, St James Theatre

prodigy-poster

From 12-15 August 2015 National Youth Theatre presents Prodigy.

Book & lyrics by Jake Brunger, Music & lyrics by Pippa Cleary.

Approx. 2 hours and 15 mins.

Amid a backstage drama of teenage hormones and parental pressure, five finalists gather to compete to be Britain’s best new classical music star. With a live televised final looming, emotions are running high. From bitter vendettas to unexpected romance, which of our competitors will rise to the top? After all, “there can only be one winner…”.

A brand new British musical from the writing team behind The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. 

Founded in 1976, the award-winning NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE represents the very best in work with young people in musical theatre, leading Andrew Lloyd Webber to describe it as “the finest youth music theatre in the world”. 

Winners UK Theatre Awards – Best Musical Production 2014

www.nymt.org.uk