There are times I will admit, where I wonder why I'm doing it. It's such a strange thing to do - restaurant blogging. My main motivation really, if I'm completely honest is pure greed. For the want of going to a good restaurant, for a good feed.
Afterwards it's usually enjoyable to put a post like this together, it's a creative process, taking and manipulating the photos and also trying to put my brain in use to write it all out as best as I can. I'm no writer, few bloggers are, but I've always tried to be as honest and balanced as I can.
Occasionally, you realise a happy after effect can be, that if you have enough people reading your website, you can inspire them to visit somewhere that you've really enjoyed. This has happened with Siam Smiles. As I said in my previous post I was initally inspired in turn to visit after seeing Hungry Hoss and Franco, owner of Solita tweet about it.
I can't claim to have any great knowledge about authentic thai food, but I've been back a few times to Siam Smiles and I've really enjoyed it each time. For me it's like discovering something new as opposed to the thai green and red curries that we're accustomed to. I love the light and fragrant spicy food of course, (especially the noodle dishes), I love the prices but I also like sitting in a thai supermarket as strange as that sounds. It's unique and fun because of that.
This has then helped to 'hype' it up in some way I guess. (This seems to irritate some people too). I would argue that bloggers don't have that much influence in Manchester individually. The national press however do. (As Stosie at the Parkers Arms will tell you after the Jay Rayner review).
It seems Marina o'Loughlin, food writer at The Guardian has recently been to Siam Smiles. I get the impression that she really liked it as I guessed she might. So my advice is go now now, before the review, because it's going to get a lot busier after it.
Our Sunday lunch was as follows.
Khao Moo Krob. Crispy belly pork. (£5.95).
Fish Balls. (£6.95). We weren't so keen on these, they have a strange rubbery texture. An acquired taste I think.
My friend's dish. I think it was the Kuay Tiew Yen Ta Fo. Flat noodles, sliced fish tofu and fish ball with Morning glory and coriander. (£5.50).
*See my previous review here.
*Paid in full each and every time.
*The new menu, click to enlarge.

The food here looks fab. Yet another review that makes me wish I could live in several places at once!
ReplyDeleteI`m just home from my 18th trip to Thailand and can assure anyone reading this that the food looks as authentic as you`re going to get in Thailand. I`ve not seen this in any UK Thai restaurant so far. Top marks guys....Must try it out.
ReplyDeleteThis one looks so good, again miss this here in N Spain so much.
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