Absolute Thai

22 Valleyfield Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LR

Telephone 0131 228 8022
Food served Mon–Sat 5–10pm. Closed Sun.
Pre-theatre times Daily 5–7.30pm
Average price £19 (evening meal)
Pre-theatre price £12.50
Email
Website www.absolutethai.co.uk

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Absolute Thai is an unassuming treasure. On stepping through the curtained doorway, diners feel sequestered from the outside world. The restaurant may be small, but the limited space makes for a feeling of cosy intimacy with small touches of kitsch: sequinned peacocks, fresh roses on tables and a row of tiny elephants bearing miniature potted flowers add to the living-room ambience. The menu sets out its stall with a starter platter for two or more of Thai fishcakes, chicken satay, spring rolls, prawn tempura and fresh dim sum in a sharp, vinegary sauce. Main course portions are big enough to share and feature a tender sea bass strewn with shavings of fresh ginger and earthy panang curry with an unusual smoky edge. If possible, leave room for the superlative ice-cream, a celestial concoction of shaved coconut, roasted cashews and honey. The young staff are laidback and refreshingly straightforward, and with a pre-theatre deal to tempt patrons of the King’s next door, this is a grand spot for fresh food, chunky flavours and some low-lit smooching.

High point: Fresh produce and wonderful sea bass
Low point: Sweet potato fritters are rather bland

Private dining: Up to 25 covers
Provides: Children's portions, Pre-theatre menu, Free wi-fi
Music on stereo: Traditional Thai
Capacity: 22
Largest group: 25
Open since: 2009
BYOB: £2.50 corkage

Comments & ratings

2. lyn lowenstein – 19 Jan 2012, 4:57pm Absolute Thai Report: We have eaten here on numerous occasions and every meal we have had has been absolutely delicious. I am a local resident, and I would never choose to eat at any of the other thai restaurants nearby as this is a real gem, and I enjoy the unpretentious family run atmosphere, and the casual service that comes with that! In my opinion the decor is pleasing too, with simple wooden chairs and tables and cosy lighting. This is a neighbourhood restaurant, and maybe diners coming from afar will be disappointed if they are looking for fancy service and cloth napkins, but if they are after exceptionally good food, and a simple cosy environment, and a budget eatery where they can bring their own bottle this place will not disappoint!

1. Y.B – 4 Dec 2011, 8:16pm Absolute Thai Report: We had a lovely meal here on Thursday night. The food was delicious. We shared the starter platter which had thai fishcakes, chicken satay, prawns, spring rolls and dim sum. It was nice to have a selection. For main course I had chicken penang curry which was very tasty and had lots of chicken.
It is byo which is good value.
The thing that let this restaurant down was the service. I had booked a table by email because I could not get through on the phone. When we arrived they didn't have a note of our booking, but did give us a table. The 2 men serving were very unfriendly and very inattentive. We had to ask for everything. And when we had finished it took about half an hour before we had to say that we had finished (though it was very obvious we had!) before our plates were cleared. And we weren't offered any desserts, coffees or anything else.
There are other thai restaurants in Edinburgh where the food is just as nice but has much better service.

Average rating 4/5 from 2 reviews of Absolute Thai.

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Absolute Thai

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