If you are looking for a chic restaurant for a date-night, celebratory drinks with friends or a birthday dinner, look no further than Thai-inspired restaurant Siamais in the bustling Brindley Place. The name partly takes inspiration from Siam, the former name of Thailand, and also from the idea that Siamese twins represent duality: the website boasts that it is ‘the ideal place for a “dual” night out’. The bar is separate from the tables, making it possible to come in purely for cocktails, or sit down and enjoy a whole meal as my group did – ‘two nights out, under one roof’.

As we entered, I took note of the Thai-inspired décor – decorative red lanterns and elegant woven light fixtures hung from the ceiling, and the low lighting was immediately soothing. As it was a Tuesday, the restaurant wasn’t busy – a few couples and groups sat, drinking wine and talking quietly.

We were immediately guided to our table by friendly waiting staff, and given time to decide on our drinks. It is important to note here that Siamais does not currently have a happy hour, so it is not exactly student-budget friendly. I ordered a £9.50 Cosmopolitan, and was promised that ‘vodka, Cointreau and cranberry juice [would] make up this short and sharp cocktail’. It was indeed sharp – however, any tartness was balanced by the fragrance of the decorative orange peel left in the glass. It played with my senses in a way – whilst the peel did not directly affect the taste of the cocktail, it was right underneath my nose as I sipped, and the smell beautifully complimented the sweet citrus flavour of the Cointreau. The sour cranberry juice and sugary Cointreau therefore blended harmoniously with the vodka to form a delicious drink.             

@Ashley Kabue

My calamari starter was crispy and flaky on the outside, and the meat was soft without being rubbery. The lime juice added a zesty kick, but it would have benefitted from a little salt. Their attention to detail was stellar though, as the chefs garnished all our plates with spring onions and decorative sprigs. Whilst this starter was pleasant enough, I thought that for £9.95 it was slightly underwhelming – the portion size was small, and it looked more appealing than it tasted.

I ordered a seafood dish, stir-fried prawns in yellow karee, which was £17.50, and replaced the rice with noodles for an additional £1.50. The noodles were thick, and when mixed with the rich, creamy sauce were hearty and filling. The prawns were seasoned well with ginger and the yellow turmeric sauce, and were crunchy and fresh. The chilli was light enough to gently warm the mouth without being truly spicy. I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size – they were extremely generous with not only the noodles and sauce, but the prawns. I had enough food to carry home and have for lunch the next day, and it tasted just as good when re-heated.

@Ashley Kabue

The waiting staff provided excellent service throughout the night – they came over to take our orders at appropriate time intervals, and were all friendly and courteous. Additionally, I noted that they replaced used knives and forks quickly and efficiently between our starters and mains – keen detail that sets them a step above the rest.

Overall, the restaurant is ideal for celebratory cocktails or birthday dinners, as the décor is elegant and chic, and the food is presented with care. Whilst the price point is certainly high compared to other food spots in the city centre, the dining experience is worth it for a special occasion.

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