Out and About
Kuti's Royal Pier Thai
DINNER was cooked by a man glorying
in the memorable name Lion-King
White-Lotus.
So there can be no doubting the
authenticity of the fare on offer at
Southampton's newest oriental eatery,
Kuti's Royal Thai Pier.
Decked out from head to foot in the
curry chain's trademark purple, the former
Royal Pier is unmistakably a Kuti
venue, something that has given the
former pier gateway a new lease of
life.
And what a welcome development
this is for a city where precious little of
its extensive waterfront is open to visitors.
Upstairs, past the extravagant glassbubble
chandelier is perhaps the best
view of Southampton's industrial dockscape
anywhere.
With the ferries on the left, the cruise
ship giants pulling up just to the right
and the even bigger container ships
steaming past in front, it's a fantastic
spot just to stop for a drink and watch
the marine world go by, something
management are keen to encourage
locals to take advantage of.
If you choose to stay for a bite as
well, you'll find something every bit as
impressive on your palate.
We started with a mixed plate of
starters that boasted familiar favourites
- such as a selection of superior
spring rolls, barbecued chicken, chicken
satay, prawn toast and delicate
mini Thai fish cakes. It was gone in a
second with a chatty table for four
abruptly silenced by its arrival apart
from assorted crunching, chewing and
slurping noises.
Next up was pla neung manow,
which for those a little rusty on their
Thai, was steamed sea bass with garlic
and coriander in chilli lemon sauce.
Delicate yet still packed with flavour,
this king of fish was served whole and
artfully arranged so it sat up and
looked you squarely in the eye, challenging
you not to enjoy every mouthful.
Every bit its equal was pla yang bai
tong, another sea bass, only this time
wrapped in banana leaves and served
in a spicy sauce - exquisite, with white
tender, moist flesh just falling off the
bone.
Stir fried roasted duck, with fresh
ginger and spring onions in soy sauce
and bean paste (ped phad king)
together with Thai noodles with chicken,
bean sprouts, chopped leeks and
sweet turnips (pad Thai) completed a
table groaning under the weight of
exotic delicacies.
It was all washed down with lots of
lovely Thai Singha beer.
To finish was bowls of banana slices
in coconut milk and egg custard with
oh-so-sticky sweet rice that was so
good that we actually ordered seconds.
The Royal Thai Pier is a triumph and
underlines that when it comes to curry,
Kuti has a name to reckon with, just
like Mr Lion-King.
■ Kuti's Royal Thai Pier, The Royal
Pier, Gate House, Town Quay,
Southampton. Tel: 023 8033 9211.
1:17pm Thursday 21st August 2008
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