Great food and dodgy parking in Poets' Corner

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Review of  Thai Handwell, Hanwell

 

Review by Chris, November 2006

We can recommend the new Thai place in Hanwell with the slightly confusing name of Thai Handwell. There is a logo using a pair of hands cupping the name but the T shirts worn by the lovely staff are without the D! Both spellings are used on the excellent menu.

We have both travelled extensively in Thailand and can vouch for the food being authentic – there are spicy dishes and if you like it hot ask for it Thai style. There are many mild, tasty dishes too. The usual suspects include spicy fish cakes, deep fried prawns in batter, Tom Yum Goong (hot prawn soup), Jungle Curry and an excellent house speciality of Yum Thai Handwell – a salad with crispy soft shell crabs, chilli and cashews. There is also an extensive vegetarian menu – the Kang Massamun was excellent, a mild curry with coconut milk, onion and ground peanuts. (This is normally served with meat).

The other advantage that keeps the cost down is that it is a BYO so the alcohol bill is kept low – you just have to plan ahead a little. The lady who runs the place is a real personality. A word of warning - they don't take credit cards.

We hope that it survives even though its location is not great as there is little parking available. For those of us in Poets Corner it is a short walk so that is not a problem. Another place that deserves to do well.

 

January 27, 2006