In the Press
Where do chefs go on a night off?
Phansit has established his Kitchen in what I have always though is the best shop front in Bideford. It is on the corner of the High Street and Grenville Street that runs up to the pannier market. It has enormous windows that are visible all the way up the Hight Street and when you're sitting at one of Phansit's tables you can watch everything that goes on in the street as well as on a short stretch of river. Perhaps more important, the food is very good.
I have always been suspicious of sweet and sour dishes; too often an excuse to put vile jam on ice savoury food, I feel. So I welcomed the idea of the sour soup that was a special on the day we went. The sourness came from limes. There was some heat provided by pretty little red chillies (which I was warned not to eat). There were herbs - lemon grass, ginger and some leaves too Thai for me to recognise. And there were oyster muschrooms and pieces of salmon. The result was delicious and to me, not an experienced consumer of Thai food, unusual.
My wife had the ka-nom-jiip (dumplings) from the regular menu. She could have had spring rools, or tempura or fish cakes or chicken satay. All of these sound pretty ordinary but if they are as delicatley flavoured and carefully cooked as ther chopped chicken and prawn dumplings they are not standard at all.
Phansit cooked in Thailand and then for 10 years in London before setting up down here. He makes a point of using local products. There ae Luscombe and Westlake soft drinks (you bring your own alcohol) and the meat comes from farms around-about. Actually I think Phansit could make more of this. It seems a pity to use salmon when there's sea bass being landed a mile or two away and when we have so many lovely crabs shouldn't we always be offered crab cakes?
Main courses come in three forms. First there are stir-fries. For example 'pat king' has fresh ginger, pepper, onion, mushroom, black fungus (is that local black fungus? I could sell him a lot of horrible, Devon black fungus) carrot and oyster sauce with a choice of chicken, pork or prawn.
Or you can have curries. I had Panaeng curry which is coconut based, mild and full of subtle flavours from Thai herbs. It was truly delicious when combined with their egg fried rice.
Then there are noodels. Hers were rice noodles with bean sprouts and roasted peanuts among other ingredients. Pat Thai they were called and were just as good as my curry.
The man at the next table to us turned out to be a chef on his night off. No better recommendation? Our meal for two cost £40 to which you would have to add the cost of your wine and corkage if you were not content with jasmine tea.
- North Devon Journal, 5th Feb 2009
'This unpretentious new cafe-restaurant serves Thai food that is as authentic as anything you'd get from a street diner on Koh Samui - which is where the owner-chef is from. The food is excellent and dishes such as beef with roasted chilli, Thai basil and lemongrass with coconut rice are packed with flavour. There are lotsof fish and tofu dishes for non-meat earters and Phansit is keen to support local food, listing his local suppliers in the menu' - food-mag.co.uk
Customer testimonials
'Well worth the several visits we have made. The food is a delight. Freshly cooked and the wait you need to make is rewarded. It gives the taste buds bursts of delicious flavours, none of which overpowers. Bideford needed a really good eating venue, and is truly blessed to have Phansit's Kitchen. We have it at the top of our list for taking discerning dining friends when they come to visit.'
- Pat 9th December 2008
'I feel this is the best restaurant in the area. I enjoy eating out and Phansit's is my top choice as the food is authentic, freshly prepared in front of your eyes and the ingredients are locally sourced. We eat there as often as possible and often choose from the specials board, which regularly changes. I have recommended Phansit’s to both friends and colleagues who have all been impressed. If you like fresh food with flavour, this is the place to go.'
- Jenkins 3rd December 2008
'The food was absolutely amazing. It was the best Thai food I have ever tasted, and the service was great too; thoroughly recommend.'
Nicolala 27th November 2008
'It was the best Thai food I've eaten since Thailand, and better than many there too! Phansits classic Thai dishes are totally authentic and packed with flavour, and their fusion food uses the best of local ingredients - try the pheasant jungle curry made with local game and elderberries'
-Stef 3rd November 2008
'Phansit's Kitchen is one of the best places to eat in North Devon. Excellent food and friendly staff, booking essential.'
- Sara 26th October 2008
'The members of staff are friendly and informed. The kitchen sparkles and the surroundings are pleasant and relaxing. Above all they have the most gorgeous and scrumptious food. We discovered Phansits Kitchen purely by chance last night, and have been spreading the word ever since. We can't wait to go back again.'
- Di 23rd October 2008