Gaab Kao — Restaurant in Tonbridge and Malling

Avoid if vegetarian. Good service considering we were a large group. The food is really good, HOWEVER some apparent veggie options on the menu are not vegetarian which I have only realised after reading another review which states the other reviewer double checked what was veggie/ vegan and none of the mains are veggie let alone vegan as they contain fish or shrimp paste! Including the veggie spring rolls which I am sure were labelled vegetarian. I told the waitress when we ordered that myself and my partner are vegetarian and she said nothing about the food not being veggie which I think is completely out of order. Had I realised at the time I would not have ordered the curry or the spring rolls. We asked for tempura vegetables which was not on the menu but they did it anyway (hopefully that actually was veggie). No vegan options on the menu at all. They need more detail on their menu such as allergens and whether something is actually veggie or vegan as they offer vegetable options with the currys but it's not clear to the customer the curry sauce is NOT vegetarian. I mean they must realise that most people asking for a curry with vegetables is going to be a vegetarian! It does say on the menu to ask them if you have allergies (not if you are vegan/ veggie). It would be fairer and more respectful to customers to see that information up front and much less misleading. If they could do a sauce or main without the shrimp paste I would go back but otherwise I will not be returning as it is not a vegetarian or vegan friendly place and they basically intentionally mislead you as another reviewer has complained about the same thing and they have done nothing about it. With regards to the response below I am still not happy I told the waitress we were vegetarians, I didn't realise that I needed to give her a speech on exactly what that means and what 'type' of vegetarian we are! Vegetarians do not eat fish if you eat fish you are not a vegetarian - that is a fact! Pescatarian is the term for people who eat fish but not other meat. Your menu is poorly labelled why don't you just make it clear on the menu - is that really so hard to do? You have had two lots of feedback about this but are still insisting that vegetarians need to have a discussion with you about their diet and exactly what they will or won't eat instead of clearly being able to read what your food contains on your menu like 99% of other restaurants so they can make an informed choice. And the spring rolls were advertised as vegetarian when they are not so that is lying. I'm so unhappy with the response below I wouldn't trust this place if you are veggie or...

We were very much looking forward to eating here. We booked a table for two on the previous evening. On arrival (on time) we were greeted immediately and was about to be shown to a table. I realised I should have put my wet umbrella in the porch, so went to do that and the waiter was shouting "sir" at me across the restaurant. Anyone would think I was about to be hit by a bus and he was trying to stop me. As with most restaurants, tables for two are put in the worst possible place. Here is no exception. The first table meant one person has their head next to the waiter's workspace and a pile of menus and the other is playing love seats with a complete stranger. I gently asked if we could go to another table. The waiter's response was akin to him being asked to donate a kidney. He was not happy. We were given the second table immediately the other side of the bar. Despite being next to another workspace, it was an improvement but not particularly relaxing. We spent the next ten minutes watching the staff tend to other diners, empty tables and one was standing there by the bar/workspace. No one wanted to know if we wanted a drink. After being shouted at, given an 'afterthought squeeze them in table' being complained at because I requested to move to an empty yet ready table, despite booking, we were made to feel like a hindrance. So we left and went to Havet over the road where, despite no booking and they were full, they couldn't do enough for us. Excellent food and wine, we paid our £100 bill, gave a £10 tip and left very happy. They made up for Gaab Kao's rude and inattentive manner, tenfold.

Re The Response. Ask yourself this. Why would I exaggerate and why would I take time to put this review up? I'll tell you, my review is accurate. Instead of investigating further, you insult me. Similar responses have been given to the others that have not given a good review. Clearly a business that cannot accept criticism. I would advise against calling customers liars and I would further advise having a look at your own shoddy attitude...

Avoid . I would like to comment to your reply to Barbara dated 26th November 2022 and our experience of our visit . Your Rudeness to replying to Barbara shows everything we experienced last night which everyone will read . Completely unprofessional attitude with incorrect Facts . Firstly you could see it was a special occasion by the balloons and decorations that myself and other friend brought in 15 minutes before the rest of the party turned up ( 3 others ) . We asked if one extra could join the end of the table as it was his mothers b day ( he is a teenager not infant )and there was space and as your website states your table is secured for a 2 hour slot to be told they could and wouldn't comply with this as they were to busy . We only needed a chair not as you state in your reply a new table . We were spoken to and treated so disrespectfully and told only 4 of us could stay as that is what we had booked or to leave .UNDER no circumstances did we Throw our Toys out our Pram ( Your words ) OR Threaten any staff as one of the ladies in the party is friends with the waitress / kitchen assistant who was telling us we cant accommodate one extra ( the child ) you also call us Liars what kind of successful professional manager uses language like this to paying customers ? Bad management and workmanship and incompetencey.Thank goodness the Italian restaurant nearby accommodated us with open arms and courtesy even tough they were extremely busy , otherwise our planned celebration would of been ruined by your un helpfulness lack of compassion and unprofessional attitude . All this because we asked for an extra chair and spending more money . Never will we return or recommend the restaurant in a million years so very...