A 5 star rating, you ask with an eyebrow arched? Indeed, I’d give it 10 if I could. I’m hard to please and this restaurant met all my requirements including selection, taste, price, service and cleanliness.

Soho Thai was a-buzz when most other restaurants were blowing out candles on Tuesday night. We were seated quickly and our orders taken. My friend and I opted for the sharer starter (£10) and the phad thai for mains (£7ea). Both were absolutely scrumptious. Service was attentive and I have no reservations about recommending this to everyone - well done Soho Thai!

When I walk into a Thai restaurant, the first thing I ask them is whether they have any Thai iced tea because I am totally addicted to it and it is surprisingly hard to find in London. Made of tea and flowers and tons of sugar, and best with milk, it's a staple beverage in Thailand but is not available in most Thai restaurants because supposedly English people find it too sweet. Sometimes they will have some made up in the kitchen for the staff and they will kindly agree to let me have some. Soho Thai is the only place I've found which always has it.

I'll stop going on about the tea now. They do also serve food and it is quite excellent. They make the best tom kha soup in London, I have conducted a Goldilocks-type survey- too sweet, too coconutty, too gingery, not spicy enough- at Soho Thai they have got it exactly right, all the flavours are spot-on. The penang curry here is notable. Prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is buzzy and lively, the decor is kind of inoffensive, nothing special to look at. The chairs are really uncomfortable. (The menu used to contain some rather hilarious errors: salad was apparently served with "spit dressing" and another dish contained "braised aborigines". Sadly, they have since printed up a new one.)

Lunchtimes are quiet but at night it does get rather packed and noisy, so it's a place to go with mates before drinks, or a date that you don't have much to say to. Everyone you bring here will like it very much and think of you whenever they come back.