Busaba, London, UK

We went for dinner to the busy and noisy Old Street branch of Busaba. We had a bad experience one year ago because of bad greasy food and a rude waitress, but after hearing enthusiastic reviews from friends, we decided to give it another try.

We ordered two dishes to share, a grilled duck in tamarind sauce and tofu with spinach, altogether with two portions of rice.

Vita coco water with crushed raspberry and ginger tea

Our two dishes were decent, event if the duck was to sweet to my taste and the yellow beans too crunchy. However we did not recognize in our food the freshness and lightness we enjoy so much in Thai cuisine. 

Char-grilled duck in tamarind sauce with chinese broccoli

Tofu and spinach with shallot, chili and yellow beans

If this time our food was slightly better, the experience was not more pleasant and the service was very poor, again. In addition to the plain rude waitress who did not bother looking the client in the eyes while taking the order, and literally threw the dishes on the table, it was such a pain to seat at that big square table and have no choice but listen to the conversation of complete strangers, while trying to find balance on the bench, that the guy seating next to me was moving every two minutes. I will definitely not go back to Busaba, even if I am paid to.

Cost: £35 for 2 mains, 2 rices and drinks