Mortar and Pestle Thai Restaurant — Restaurant in London

Extremely disappointed with the behaviour of the staff.

I had visited Mortar and Pestle with my friend around 6 pm, with the restaurant being fairly empty. We weren’t in the mood to order food and hence decided to order two drinks.

We were quickly served our drinks, after which one staff member suddenly requested us to order food as this is a “restaurant”. Apparently, I was not welcome here unless I ordered some food. I was surprised as this wasn’t communicated to me while I was giving my order (where I clearly mentioned that I just wanted two drinks).

I decided to bring this to the notice of the lady who took my order and highlighted how I had never faced such an issue during my previous visits. She then started justifying her counterpart’s behaviour by stating that all my previous visits had a food order.

Frustrated and embarrassed in front of my friend (who was visiting M&P for the first time), I told the lady that I would leave after we finish our drinks. To make matters worse, the other staff member AGAIN followed up regarding our food order, after which we quickly finished our drinks and left.

A question to the management: Why did you have to behave this way with 2 folks who were peacefully having a drink for a short time in an EMPTY restaurant? We were neither blocking tables nor behaving in an untoward manner. This is despite me stating that I am a repeat customer.

It is very evident that M&P’s reputation for good service is tied to how much a person orders. I have never been subjected to such mean behaviour in ANY restaurant in London.

I will certainly not return and hope that other people learn from my experience.

PS: Provided one extra star for the excellent Chang beer that they always...

Mortar and Pestle is a culinary journey to the heart of Thailand, nestled right in the heart of the city. From the moment you step through the door, you're transported to a vibrant world of flavors, colors, and aromas. The pad Thai is a standout, with perfectly cooked noodles and a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that dance on your palate. The soup is another winner, with its spicy broth and fragrant herbs warming you from the inside out. But it's not just about the mains here. The appetizers are equally impressive, with crispy spring rolls, tender satay skewers setting the stage for the feast to come. But what sets this Restaurant apart is Napa, our gracious host. Her knowledge and passion for Thai cuisine are evident in every recommendation and explanation, elevating our dining experience to new heights. This Restaurant is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary adventure that will transport you to the bustling streets of Bangkok with every bite. If you're looking for authentic Thai cuisine in a vibrant atmosphere,...

Popped in here for dinner this evening with my hubby. The space is very cute and clean inside.

I ordered the Tom Yum Prawn Noodle Soup, and hubby ordered the Massaman Curry with Prawn, which actually came with chicken instead. We ordered a separate bowl of coconut rice as that does not come with the curry. The noodle soup was okay; the flavor was not as intense as it should be and actually tasted slightly watered down. However, the soul did come with a good amount of shrimp. Hubby enjoyed his curry. He knew the order was incorrect when it came out but was too hungry to wait for the new prawn curry. The curry was very tasty.

For dessert, we ordered the banana fritters because they were sold out of the mango and sticky rice. Hands down, the dessert was my favorite. The outside was nice and crispy while the inside was nice and soft. The ice cream added a very nice cold to hot contrast.

If we were in the area, we would definitely visit this place again. However, we probably won't be actively going here just to...