Evening Echo Taste Test March 2005 By Tom King
Food 5
Decor 5
Service 5
Value 5

I've never been to Thailand and now that I have eaten at the Thai Nava, I am
unlikely to. Its nothing to do with the horrible geriatric hippies who debauch
Leonardo di Caprio in the Beach. It's just that the money is probably better
spent on return visits to this restaurant than on flying to the other side
of the world.

From the start, you are clearly in the hands of professionals-exemplary and
committed chefs for whom every fresh dish is like embarking on a new
marriage. How they ever let these guys out of Thailand I don't know.

Its plants, sculptures and three dimensional pictures on the wall create a
strong sense of exotic, without looking like an advertisement for the
Thai Tourist Board.

I like the food even more. Across a wide range of dishes, there was not
one that wasn't five star. One or two such as the Ped Palo (steamed duck )
were beyond five star. One or two quibbles my wife reckoned that the tables
were too close-packed, and certainly the fast and exceptionally efficient staff were
Faced with problems navigating the gaps.

I choose to drink the Thai house red wine. The kindest think that can be said that the
Thai wine- growing industry needs some work.

Overall though, our star system hardly does full justice to this restaurant.