When it comes to the cold winter months, nothing beats a hot, aromatic curry when it's absolutely freezing outside. As we experience the very worst of the weather, it's perfect timing that Rosa's Thai restaurant has opened its doors on King Street.
The new restaurant combines classic Thai dishes with street-smart side snacks and of course, the hugely popular bubble tea. The team has given the former Loch Fyne restaurant, which closed during Covid, a completely new lease of life with red and white tiles that make the space feel warm and inviting.
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Rosa's has grown from humble beginnings as a street stall in Brick Lane, London, bringing the east to the East End. Nottingham is the latest in an expansion plan which will see new cafes open across the UK in the new year. Despite the size of the business, Founder and Thai Chef Saiphin Moore is still very involved especially when it comes to the food.
The name 'Rosa' came from the very first site that Saiphin opened which was in Hanbury Street in London. It was an institution for the locals so out of respect, and a lack of money for a new sign, the name was kept.
Simon Sanderson, Operations Manager, has been with the business for four years. He highlights that a lot of the produce the chefs use is authentically Thai and that there is often the chance to meet Saiphin herself in the cafes.
"Rosas Thai Cafe has been going for about eleven years after it was started by a Thai lady called Saiphin Moore who started with a market stall before growing the business. She is still a big part of the business even today and takes passion in the food we serve. When we have VIP nights, she comes along so people can meet her," he said.
"A lot of the products that we have come from Thailand using her contacts like rice, tamarind and coconut milk. I've just been to Thailand with Saiphin for nine days so she is still a big part of the business."
The menu combines classic dishes such as pad Thai and Panang curry along with modern twists and a few mouthwatering surprises. This includes the new addition of a fragrant red duck pineapple curry which features slow-cooked duck breast smothered in Rosa's signature curry sauce along with basil, pineapple and fresh chillies.
For spicy food fans looking for a strong winter warmer, or anyone who likes a challenge, there is a hot green curry which is one of their best sellers. Although the restaurant only opened on Tuesday, December 6, there are already clear favourites among Nottingham diners.
"The new red duck curry on the menu has been really popular and we have a lot of vegan options too. Our menus are really directed towards vegetarians and vegans, then we have our traditional dishes such as Pad Thai or spicy green curry," Simon explained.
"We have a great selection of starters including spring rolls, marinated pork skewers, chicken satay then we have just introduced a lot of larb patties which have chicken and rice which are really popular too. We have desserts like the mango sticky rice which in Thailand is really popular and the chocolate brownies are going well too."
When it comes to drinks, there are plenty of Thai beers on offer including an in-house IPA which is described as a Thai-inspired craft pale ale blended with lemongrass and lime. For those who aren't drinking, there are plenty of soft drinks and the ever-popular bubble tea. The passionfruit, strawberry and jasmine bubble tea is an incredibly refreshing choice that will be popular in the summer months.
One of Simon's personal highlights with the brand has been his recent journey to Thailand with Saipin. He found it inspiring to see the beginnings of the business.
"Personally going to Thailand with Saiphin to see where it all started working with their family and how the business grew from, that was quite inspiring. Rosa's story makes you really want to stay with the brand and it's like working with a family in that respect which I like," he said.
Although Rosa's Thai has only just opened its doors, there are many plans in place that will be introduced over the coming weeks and months. The cafe intends to make the most of having the Theatre Royal and Nottingham Trent University on the doorstep.
"We want to introduce a pre-theatre menu after Christmas and we do different specials throughout the year too. At the moment, we have a really nice special of deep-fried pork belly but we change the dishes three or four times a year," Simon said.
"In the new year, we will introduce new vegetarian and vegan dishes for Veganuary. We want to accommodate students as well so we will have a student discount too. We open our delivery option next week so we can deliver to locals over the Christmas period."
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