Residents' Association Forum

Morning all,

So, I was invited as a guest to dine at Ba Siam last night (puts fire retardent suit on!  ;)  )

I'm quite critical but I have to say, the food was superb, close to faultless, prices werent silly, service was great.

It's a fairly sparce decor but fairly tastefully done.

They need to do some serious marketing and by someone who knows what they are doing though, the Swan was rammed, so was the Rose but we were one of 3 tables.. related to the planning? Not sure.

I've been fairly vocal in the whole planning saga/debate and I still don't agree with the way they have gone about that side of things, the planners and residents will ultimately be the judges of that though, the outside area is nice, they have made the best of the space. The steel construction doesnt look as dramatic from there. I'm wondering if just painting it or cladding it in wood would lessen its look from outside.

Any questions or abuse, hit me!

No abuse from here, craig.

We're all entitled to our different opinions and reactions to these things and if you want to eat there then that is your right.

Have to say though, the fact that the structure looks better from the inside isn't really relevant.
I'm sure lots of people have plans denied that would have made attractive additions to their home for them. It's how it affects other people that the planners are there for.

I knew you would be the first to crack!!!
;D

Funnily enough - last night I fancied some Thai food and I got take away from the Red Lion (which I also recommend highly btw - it won't be quite the same proposition as Ba Siam but worth knowing its there as I did not until only recently). Cycled past Ba Siam and it looked very nice.

Personally - because I am aware of the planning issues (i.e. effectively they do not have planning permission to have built what they have, at least not yet) - I can't see myself going there until they are resolved.

This is a personal stance and in no way a judgement on people who do choose to go.

I still stand by my statement in that I do want them to do well.
Slightly hypocritical though that may sound - and a statement that was read the wrong way so I am wary of making it again without quanitifying my personal position.

I would like the issues resolved as soon as possible so I can sample their food! My thoughts are they will need to change/remove the steel structure at a minimum in some way but lets see. (I am no expert on planning/conservation issues).


The way I look at it I've waited long enough for it to be open I will just consider it not quite officially open until the planning has been sorted!

I didnt crack, I did always say I'd go there!

TDRes, I know, wasnt excusing it, I think it looks cack from the outside

We knew you would!

I'll wait and see how the planning saga goes.  It seems quite  likely to me that retrospective permission for that awful structure in the Conservation Area will be refused for several very good reasons.  We will then see whether the owners remove it.  Given their apparent recalcitrance over the matter so far, one rather doubts that that will go smoothly.

However, if it does, and they abide by any decision fairly, then I will be among their greatest supporters at the trough.

its a hell of a structure thats for sure, very heavy duty. Removing it wouldnt detract from the outdoor area much at all either, the lanterns could by supported by some other means.

Some might suspect that they went ahead and described it as a "pergola" thinking that they could slip it through without planning permission as a 'garden structure', then later, with that huge and strong framework, enclose it and roof it in thereby creating a boxy, cheap building for extra year-round dining space circumventing the planning process.  At least, that's what one hears around the village.

Of course, were they instead to commission a rather nice, proper building in keeping with a Conservation Area that contains listed buildings adjacent and is close to the Church, which would not need to be expensive to construct but would look rather better than a storage warehouse in Hounslow, then an extra dining area would be most welcome....

yup that may be the case. I think a wooden structure would be more aesthetically pleasing hence thinking, clad it.

Craig you mention you were invited as a guest .......a guest of who? the owner?? .....are they buying your favour with spring rolls perhaps bearing in mind your influence on this forum.

hahaha, nope, I cant be bought, well, i can, but not for spring rolls :D

A guest of a friend.

The Michael Winner of Thames Ditton  ;):P

hahaha, i think thtas Fortescue-Smythe!

So Ba Siam.......I know there are some problems which I don't want to go into (as I don't know enough about perhaps?) ....however how was the menu? Much the same as Siam Food Gallery on Esher High Street?

Is it getting any busier?

Thanks!

http://www.basiam.com/

worst website ive used in a while (and I told them that)

wait til the stupid thing in middle appears and click on "opening now"
click "what we do at the top" , whole menu there.

food was v good. 10% off for takeaway.

nice staff. etc etc.

No point commenting anymore on the planning thing, i've said what i think, letting the planners do what they deem best now.

Thanks for that! I did a google search but didn't find it.

If you're looking for an alternative - the Red Lion has a Thai restaurant that does tasty take away too!!!!

I had no idea it existed until some friends in East Molesy told us about it.

I googled to find their facebook page (but I can't check it at work)
www.facebook.com/sweetpeathaikitchen

Thanks

I've actually booked a table at Siam Food Gallery in Esher. I liked it last time I went and thought the venue was lovely but thought it was a little pricey. Thames Ditton is closer to me so might be better.

Really fancy a Thai!

Might try the Red Lion some day

Umm ahhhh - as a place to sit - I don't think its quite in the same league as Siam food Gallery (the red lion that is for dinner)!

Whilst I'd happily have a pint or three in there OR order take away - the 'dining area' is a little cold (literally and figuratively) and err pretty empty!

Ahh... but you don't have to eat in the 'dining area'.  Last time I ate there, it was in the main pub area, next to an open fire, whilst drinking a very fine pint of 'Black Pearl' (a Cornish real ale). 

Splendid!

have you thought of a career in marketing? ;)

Who says I don't already have a career in marketing?  :P














Actually, I don't!

Siam Food Gallery in Esher is good, also complies with planning laws!  Feel good all the way through.

I'll have to remember the Lion - I didn't know you could get Black Pearl there.

When I'm down to weight, that is.

Ha, I meant juninho, you posted I between :D

Who says I don't already have a career in marketing?    :P














_{Actually, I don't!}

hahaha ;)

Well - lets judge how sucessful I would be based on how many people I can round up for the next pub crawl/walk!!!

So far the turn out has been ok but aiming for more next time around!

I really shouldn't attend the next one - strict weight-loss programme.

I've lost one of the mainstays already...

:(

What about a glass of wine or two - in two pubs?

The commercial magazine About Thames Ditton is promoting the Ba Siam, but for some reason fails to mention the monstrous erection without planning permission in the Conservation Area!  So much for commerce versus community >:(

No surprise really.

Isabella demonstrating why she'll never have a career in marketing :D

I guess it's hard to reconcile a career in marketing with a conscience!

my comment was based on the above jokey posts about not working in marketing.

In days of diplomacy in Africa my Zimbabwean African acquaintances, who had an ear for a marketable phrase, used to describe me as "a travelling salesman of imperialism"

I rather liked it  :)

OK, I admit it.  I ate there too last night.  Having got a baby sitter for the night due to needing to use up points in our baby sitting circle, my other half and I quite fancied a Thai meal.  We were planning to go to the Red Lion, but found that they had some loud football match going on, so Ba Siam it was.

And:  to be honest, we were quite disappointed with the place.  First of all, the atmosphere was sterile, with some cheesy piped music at too low a volume to be listened to, but too high a volume to be ignored.  There was no doubt about the quality of the food, but then at the prices they charge (£45 for two of us, and we didn't even have wine), I wouldn't expect anything less.  What I would also expect however would be decent service, which was sadly lacking.  Despite there being 3 members of staff on duty, none of them seemed to want to ever pop over to our table, or at least be in 'eye reach'.  Our waitress just seemed to spend the whole time gossiping with some people she clearly knew on another table.  We weren't asked if we wanted any coffees or deserts (if they even do any), and when it came to the bill, I am not exaggerating when I say that it took 15 minutes to arrive after we asked for it (which in itself was quite a challenge), and a further 20 minutes for the waitress to come over with the card reader.

All in all, a most disagreeable experience.  Quite apart from their planning breach, we won't be going back there any time soon. 

thats rubbish, no excuse for poor service. I'll get takeaway instead of dining in!

Thank you.  It's good to get an objective account rather than some gushing review in exchange for a free dinner!

I knew you'd crack too!!

;D

The OH was suggesting it a couple of weeks ago. It was meant to be a late bday treat so I was struggling to say no (I did say I wouldn't be able to post on this forum if I did go there but that didn't work as an argument either as she seemed to think that might be a good thing!!)

In the end I convinced her to do a movie and dinner so went to the Thai in Hampton Court (bridge road) as we know we can be in and out there in a shortish time (whereas Ba Siam is an unknown).

Reading your review - glad we did !

Re Thai resteraunt on bridge road -> food there is a bit hit or miss (and it won't be in the same league in terms of quality) - but one thing is the service has been excellent and they are super friendly in there!

I sincerely hope that's not directed at me Isabella

Of course not, why should it be?  You haven't written a review have you?  Especially in return for a free dinner?  I was thinking of those things you see in the press where you never see a critical word about a place and you strongly suspect that a free dinner is behind it.  I like this forum because you get honest opinions whether they are good or bad, and I trust residents more than journalists.

A range of opinion is good.

I have to say that over the past few years I have had several approaches from local restaurants offering a free dinner for two if I will write a review, mostly for the mag.  They have never said in advance that it must be a good review, I am bound to state.  It's just good PR, and they obviously will try extra hard to make sure the reviewer's experience is a good one on the night.

I've always turned them down (with a deep sigh) and suggested local commercial alternatives instead.  As a good trencherman it breaks my heart though (especially the French Kitchen).

Ref earlier threads on other restaurants e.g. the chippie, it is clear that different customers have different experiences on different days and with different dishes.  Restaurants go through good and bad patches (The Rose went through a terrible patch in the early 1990s and at that time the Swan was poor too - now both are good) and need constant monitoring!

Next time you get one of these - tell them I'd happily take them up on it!!!

;D

Did you think about the Ferry?

The Ferry probably has the best food in Thames Ditton and possibly further afield too.

Isabella, my experience above was as it happened. I've been
a couple of times and once yes, was with the editor of About Thames Ditton,
but the food was fantastic so anything that has been reported was true. For
the record and ref your earlier post,  the advertising in the magazine was a
deal done long before the current owners came on board and before "the
structure" so it was contractually bound to be printed.

I can't comment on the service, it was good when I went but there is no
excuse for the service poor Rhodrich experienced, none at all. Esp as was
first night out, I know how precious those are! I'll make sure they are
aware of it.

As Keith said, restaurants do approach for editorial and as he rightly said,
there is never any inference that the review must be good. That said, they
do go to a lot of effort and to be honest, that's good,  nobody wants to
catch them out, 'About Thames Ditton' wants to support our local eateries
(as does Thames Ditton today). It's in all our interests that these places
prosper. Any review must of course reflect the truth and whether they are an
advertiser or not, the truth is printed.

Yes but she specifically wanted Thai food !

It worked out well enough though to go to the Bridge road place - would've been a shame to have to rush through a more upmarket place.

I like that place on bridge road, feels fairly authentic in there too

I did actually pass the French Kitchen along to ATD.

On 'that structure' I think it's clear - thanks to endless discussion here - that the food aspect (welcome) is a separate issue from the structure (unwelcome).  Some residents, among whom I am one, have individually decided not to eat at Ba Siam until they have complied with the planning procedure and decision.  That is because one has reached the conclusion that they did wilfully put themselves outside the process and showed recalcitrance in being forced by threat of legal action to submit to it.  Also because of the appalling precedent there would be if a structure like that was approved retrospectively.  Precedents count in future planning applications and can never be rolled back.  I care more about the conservation area than about the food.

But I do look forward to trying it when the matter is resolved.

Post deleted at request of member who has left forum - Admin

what are they?

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=pandan+pancakes

;)


_{(sorry couldn't resist!)}

that google site is wonderful, I'll use it again! ;)

Post deleted at request of member who has left forum - Admin

Love it!  Pocketed.

Well we gave it a go this evening.  Food OK, but too expensive.  Service truly appalling.  We sat down at 8.15, didn't get our starters till 9.45.  Main course arrived in dribs and drabs with side dishes missing.  Staff disinterested or just badly trained.  The manager said there had been a problem in the kitchen, however we had already been forewarned by others that the service was bad.  The only nice thing about it is the courtyard which they built without planning permission!  Have to say that is quite tasteful, even if it doesn't look so from the road.  However, if they don't buck their ideas up they won't be there in a years time, that's for sure.

I think they are aware of the service issues and working on them. No excuse for that at all.

I waited a while for a take away last night but it was very good when it came.

Surprised by your comment about it being too expensive though,  I thought it was pretty spot on given the quality of the food.

Well I think it is trying to be something it isn't.  Compare it to The Rose.  The Rose is always rammed on a Friday night, it has two sittings.  You walk in, they are friendly and the service is prompt.  You sit down to a comfy table with a white table cloth and napkins, with a hot towel afterwards.

At the BS, there are no table cloths and paper napkins.  Some of the staff are friendly, but some were downright aloof with very blinkered sightlines when you were trying to get their attention. They were also not knowledgeable enough about Thai food to give you proper advice about choosing your meal.  The food is slow coming out of the kitchen and the portion sizes for the starters are pretty small.  The plates are square and over garnished with food you have paid for but can't eat.  Whilst I enjoyed my meal, the sirloin steak ordered by two of our party was tough and fatty.  If they want the locals to keep coming back, they should get the product right, get the food out on time, get the service right. 

I think I thought it was expensive because we had extra drinks whilst waiting for the food.  If everything else had been right, the size of the bill wouldn't have actually been an issue. Maybe we should bypass the service and just go for the takeaway in future.

All fair points and yes, the drinks bill would soon add up if you were waiting but that's different to it being over priced.

Did you bring these things up with them and if so how did they react?

Please don't get me wrong with my comments whereby it might seem like I am defending them. I had an extremely frank but I think positive conversation with one of the owners very recently where I left no doubt about what my opinion is about how he should address 'the structure' and how I feel he needs to redress what has happened. He was very receptive and charming and assured me that he was taking all this very seriously. I was left with no reason to doubt him.

As above, I'm not defending them, I just think they deserve a fair hearing as a new business in our small and lovely village in very difficult economic circumstances, and not one where they are judged on a building and planning decision they made which unequivocally was flawed.

The service issues must be resolved, that should be simple with a good manager and any issues with the food should be immediately addressed with the management also, for the rest,  personally, I'm trying to give them a fair go.

Ref the Rose, fantastic, I agree.

Yes, the Rose is excellent.

Ba Siam have had a very fair hearing.  I also found them charming when I spoke in November - but their assurances counted for nothing.   They have been welcomed in this forum, but posted only once.  They have been written to by the CAAC and the RA, but failed even to answer.  We would all be delighted if they got on with removing 'the structure' to keep our village lovely, and I hope they act on your advice on that, Craig. 

Yup, all valid points you raise. I can't comment on why they wouldnt reply to those letters which to me seems short sighted.

To clarify, by fair hearing I meant from now on. What's done is done and I hope and trust they will do the right thing.

The smart thing to do would be to

a.  remove the structure now
b.  seek ideas for the garden/courtyard area from villagers: there are loads of top quality designers and garden designers in Thames Ditton who I am sure would offer ideas gratis.
c.  discuss with the EBC planning staff what could legally be done without permission, or which of the ideas could be pursued with a good chance of permission being granted
d.  get the CAAC onside for the best idea.

This would create a warm and constructive engagement; whereas some grudging and partial climbdown, or an appeal against the decision,  would be likely to prolong ill feeling .

If they really want, in the longer term, to have an enclosure there for extra covers then some nice design would be likely to  meet with support.

Craig, I would love a restaurant to work there.  The Crown deserves a good business, but it needs to be spot on in order to get repeat business.  We did speak to them on Friday and they said they had problems in the kitchen, (obvious really) but offered no other explanation.  By the way a friend of mine went recently with about 9 others.  They also said they waited for ages for the food.  At the end of the meal when they complained, they were given two bottles of opened wine, but no reduction on the bill.  They refused the wine as they had finished their meal.  They had to insist on a bill reduction and eventually they got it. 

It is a shame that The Crown is a problem business, the Real China never seems busy either.

As far as the structure is concerned, I have no objection to the inside of it.  It just doesn't look very nice from the street. 

fairplay, I agree with everything you say above.

Whats the latest on Ba Siam?

I still have not been but do want to go at some point?

Are the planning permission issues resolved? The pergolas are still out there?

I ate there and karma rewarded me with the squits :-[

Has it shut down now?  Food was really good there...

Yup, gone

As members are aware Ba Siam is now shut. It is looking worse than ever outside with a broken sign, dusty and dirty on the building itself. Flies litter the window ledges inside and the garden looks a complete mess! Horrible orange mesh and just the one huge gate removed but just dumped there.
The upstairs flat is now being rented on an individual basis to numerous people yet it does not have a HMO (House of multiple Occupancy) license. If others feel like I do then can you please join me in writing to our local councillors and the Elmbridge Council to make a complaint and hopefully they will action these points.

it doesnt look great does it, what a shame.

It now looks much worse than when they had the metal monstrosity in place!! How ironic!!!

agreed, someone will take it sooner or later though.

There seems to be some internal remodelling going on with a new partition wall by the bar and the fireplaces blocked over. Does anyone know what the plans for it's future are?

have pm'd you

I'd be interested to know too.....

Thanks