MotorBar
Giggling Squid, Sevenoaks, Kent
Giggling Squid “When we were
  asked to visit the
  latest ‘Giggling
  Squid’ — a Thai
  restaurant in
  Sevenoaks —
  I thought ‘Here we
  go, another Thai
  restaurant with
  pages and pages
  of dishes to try but
  just the same as
  all the others’...”

DON'T MISUNDERSTAND me; I love the fresh and vibrant flavours of Thai food but all too often it can prove to be unmemorable and if you are not familiar with the cuisine a bit of a trial-and-error experience to get the balances right. However, it's a totally different thing if you're eating with someone who is a regular customer.

What a surprise, and what a delight, to find on a Monday lunchtime the restaurant humming with couples, small children, parents, grandparents and people just taking their lunchtime work break.
“There is something
for everyone
from those of us who
are not too keen on
‘hot and spicy’
but want something
mellow — just the right
tastes to introduce
children to the perhaps
unfamiliar flavours,
textures and colours —
to those who want a
vibrant, zingy taste
sensation...”
This is a small, growing restaurant chain with a very clever format and fresh décor made up from flotsam and jetsam from the seaside, but well presented to create a sharp, modern style. Take my word for it, it really works and with such helpful staff to guide you through the menus, it's truly great fun.

There is nothing intimidating about this place and their lunchtime menus are not only amazingly good value but easy to choose from. They have six of what they call tasting 'tapas sets' such as 'Hungry Squid' or 'Wealthy Squid' which comprise of four complementary dishes, all freshly cooked to order for you to try.

There is something for everyone from those of us who are not too keen on 'hot and spicy' but want something mellow — just the right tastes to introduce children to the perhaps unfamiliar flavours, textures and colours — to those who want a vibrant, zingy taste sensation.

To finish my lunch I was keen to try one of the restaurant's exciting ice creams or sorbets, made by a tiny shop in Brighton — 'Black Sesame' for example, but unfortunately they were finished so we tried the caramelised mango cake and the chocolate feuillantine. This proved to be no hardship as both were equally delicious.

Obviously, the evening menu is more expensive but if the lunchtime food is anything to go by it will be worth the price. But if you are looking for authentic Thai you might be a little disappointed that their version of 'hot 'n' spicy' is the British equivalent! Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch — paired with a delicious bottle of Australian Gewurztraminer wine.

Would we visit any of the ten branches again? Like a shot we would! — Bonnie Stevens

Giggling Squid
3c Dorset Street
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 1LL

Landline: 01732 465898
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