Pim's@icookthai — Restaurant in Great Britain

I had a disappointing experience at this restaurant. I typically go to the place next door but decided to try something new. Unfortunately, I regretted it within the first five minutes.

There was only one person there, who appeared to be both the chef and the server. While looking at the menu, he asked if we knew or were familiar with Thai food. Having visited Thailand multiple times and frequented Thai restaurants, I said "Yes" straightaway. He then asked me what green curry is, and before I could even respond properly, he decided to judge me already and said, “No, you don’t know Thai food” in a condescending tone. It was a rude and humiliating way to treat a customer. I came to enjoy a meal, not to be tested on my knowledge of cuisine.

After that, I thought he was going to explain technically what green curry is, but then he just rambled on about how Thai food is all about taste—something I found quite obvious since all food is about taste?!

He also made a statement that even people in Thailand don’t know how to cook properly, and that overly spicy curries are incorrect, according to him. I agreed to some extent, as not everyone is an expert in cooking and spice tolerance varies among people, but I didn’t appreciate the way he spoke poorly about others.

Since he said the overly spicy curries are incorrect, my husband, who rarely orders curry because he can't eat spicy foods, asked if he could have a non spicy fish green curry, which he said yes. I ordered duck with chilli and basil, along with chicken satay to share.

When the food arrived, we were confused because the curry was red, not green. When we asked, he casually informed us it was yellow curry because, in his opinion, that would be better with fish. He didn’t bother to ask us or check if my husband would be ok with it—he just made the decision for us. He also forgot the chicken satay, and by then, I didn’t even bother to remind him. To us, he couldn't even tell the difference between yellow and red because the curry looked obviously red.

I’ve met so many wonderful Thai people, but I’ve never encountered someone as rude as him. Given how highly he spoke of himself and his criticism of others' ability to cook Thai food, I expected the food to be exceptional. How wrong I was. The food was not bad but nothing special either. The sauce was watery, and the flavour was weak. I expected the slice duck meat, but I got minced duck instead. Overall, it was just not clear what we would get, and I had so many better foods elsewhere.

Dining out is not just about filling an empty stomach; it’s about the entire experience. Being spoken down to is certainly not the kind of treatment I expect or appreciate. Even if the food was acceptable, the experience left a bad taste. This will definitely be my first...

Pim's is truly a unique experience. And whatever you imagine when I say 'unique', you won't come close. Pim's is best described as visiting a colleagues house for dinner who then serenades and entertains you afterwards.

Pim's restaurant is realy a few tables set up that feel like you're in a friend's garage, complete with Mr Pim's own clutter and knick-knacks. The kitchen is over the room and the toilet directly through the kitchen.

The food is amazing, clearly homecooked and lovingly made (as Mr Pim learnt from his mother, he reports). The panang curry and chicken satay were my favourites, though the tom yum soup was also divine. Food comes quick and bubbling straight from the stove with no frills or baubles. Truly it feels like homecooked meal.

Afterwards, Mr Pim sat and chatted with us, seranaded us with Bob Dylan songs, and taught us how to sing. It is clear that music is Mr Pim's true passion (there are many instruments hung up on the walls) and he really knows the science behind music. It may have been helped by the fact I was with a family who had visited before, but he really was easy going, felt like he had invited us into his home, and just wanted to share his life. An extraordinary talented happy individual.

Pim's is not a classical restaurant, and if you are seeking a formal dining experience, this is not for you. If you want great food solely, his takeaway is undoubtedly good as well, I am sure. But if you can be open minded, accept that you aren't getting tip-top serving standards, restaurant decor or even restuarant-grade cleanliness, but are there for a fun time, to enjoy authentic Thai cooking and Thai personality in someone's home, Pim's is extrodinary. Truly an unforgettable evening - the excellent food was just a bonus.

P.S: it's BYOB, so go nuts!

Thank you, Mr Pim. You are a wonderful...

Pim cooks really tasty Thai food. The menu does change, and you have to order ahead of time via text.

We had satay chicken to start, the satay sauce was insanely good and the chicken well cooked and juicy. Dim Sum was tasty but paled in comparison to the satay sauce.

Mains we had massamam curry, rich and deeply flavoured well it partnered well with jasmine rice.

Also had tamarind duck which was absolutely stunning, juicy fatty deboned duck with a sweet sticky tamarind sauce. Had the coconut rice alongside this which was incredibly tasty itself.

It's bring your own drinks, so you save a bomb if you fancy some wine with the meal.

Pim loves getting the guitar out and signing for you after too!

Highly recommend pims.

Edit 2023: Pim has smashed it out the park again. This time I had Chicken Chilli Basil and it was absolutely stunning. Unbelievably good flavours. The Satay starter was again divine. Pim even did karaoke...