Sen Yai — Restaurant in London

Someone suggested the translation of Sen Yai has something to do with noodles, but perhaps it should be 'little gem'. This Thai kitchen has astutely opened just in time for 2017 Wimbledon Championship tennis. It's an enormously welcome addition to the thriving eating out (and 'take home') opportunities available in Southfields, on Replingham Road, in particular. Colourful flags draw attention to the tables outside that, on the night of my first visit, was full of young, well-dressed diners, clearly here for the tennis. As I, and several others, waited to collect our Saturday night meals, the beautifully-presented, freshly-cooked dishes smelled wonderful as they emerged swiftly from the care of the all-female troupe of chefs, to be served to customers by Sen Yai's energetic and engaging owner/maître d'. He mentioned he had restaurants in Balham and Brixton too, the which entrepreneurship is usually a very good sign. He also paid tribute to the modest, but enduring take-away business of the previous oriental owners that had lasted for some thirty years before their retirement and had given now given this Thai street food kitchen the chance to continue serving the Southfields community. Sen Yai's harmonious interior, with the counter to its 'on view' kitchen adorned with appealing jars of dry ingredients, is congenially welcoming. The most important thing, though, is the food cooked there. It is absolutely delicious and Southfields residents, and visitors alike, should flock to support and sustain this new venture at the quieter, but no less distinguished, end of Replingham Road with its two other very popular eateries. Don't be put off by the possibility of heat in Thai cuisine that many appreciate. If you don't like it, the chefs are happy to leave out the chilli flakes in those dishes on the ample menu that contain it. July 2018 UPDATE Sen Yai has thrived over the last year, from it's well-timed speculative opening during Qualification/Practice Week before the 2017 Wimbledon Tennis Championships to today, Ladies Semi-Finals day this year. We have have had takeaways once or twice during every one of the last twelve months when, almost every time we pop in, we see and hear the orders coming in steadily, particularly as their online order deliveries are now promptly serviced by Über, Just Eat and deliveroo. On each occasion too, there are enthusiastic diners 'eating in' using Sen Yai as a cosy, warm, filling, harbinger from either the cold and dark of the winter months or (as tonight) at tables arranged (à la terrasse) on the pavement outside in the warm and romantic glow of the setting summer sun. Some talk of tennis, and a Championships that never fails to entertain and surprise, the discoveries made, the future prospects and to whom the trophies will go this time. Others are clearly having a modest celebration (even if it's just the end of a very hard day's work), a girl's catch up or a discreet date. Importantly, the service is swift, all the dishes going out look mouth-watering, are ample (neither sparse, nor over-generous) and are clearly much enjoyed. Though quality should survive, Southfields people, and the Grid in particular, should continue their support for Sen Yai in a very, very crowded and competitive market so as to secure its presence for...

Food is pretty good - when you can get it. What really annoys me is that most times I try to order on Deliveroo, they just let your order hang there for ages - and then cancel! One time I chose to drive down and order in person - and I mentioned this, and they said oh sorry we are just so busy. I get that a restaurant can be overly popular. But have the decency to react quickly to online orders, even if to cancel. Or better - don't activate yourself on Deliveroo when it's busy! This has happened about 3 times, one time it resulted in me being unable to order in other restaurants as all the decent ones shut while I waited. Tonight, same story, and Deliveroo support said they can't get through and thought the place was already closed (ordered 9.50pm, closing time on Google is 11pm today). That's it, I've...

Annoyingly I have very mixed feelings about this restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious - very authentic and tasty. The service was great, and the staff were very friendly and chatty.

However, there were a few things that I can’t get over. Firstly, we found a hair in our food. We discreetly told the waitress who apologised but didn’t replace the food or remove it from the bill - put simply, I don’t think she cared!

Secondly, we could see in plain view the rice being reheated in the microwave. As someone who has suffered food poisoning from reheated rice this was so concerning to see.

Overall I’m disappointed. We found the restaurant through a great review on TikTok and I genuinely can’t fault the taste of the food. But I can’t compromise on health...