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There are few greater privileges in life than enjoying a freshly cooked meal while sitting outside during the dog days of summer.
So, when you’re presented with the opportunity to chow down some spicy Thai food in the heart of St Peter Port at The Terrace Garden Café then it’s hard to say no.
You only have half the year to enjoy the food, drinks and views from this establishment, and often you’ll be left fighting for even a modest spot on the nicest of evenings.
The Terrace café’s seasonal opening times means the chefs often rotate, with the menu being refreshed to boot also. This can provide a fresh dose of thrill each year but can also be disconcerting for those who find comfort in continuity.
With that in mind I took a prime seat at the outside corner table, admired the harbour views, and got down to examining the options.
A new menu means only one thing: Massive FOMO.
Everything on the menu looked amazing and every decision felt like a gamble, with the odds stacked against me and major food envy seeming like the inevitable conclusion.
Sushi? Red duck curry? Or the Kaho Gai Zaab (fried chicken and chilli sauce)? In the end I plucked up some courage and dived headfirst into the Kaho Gai Zaab, with a side of deep-fried squid for good measure.
Ten anxiety-inducing minutes later, full of self-doubt and nervous plate watching, the food arrived, and the pressure immediately melted away.
The squid was top notch. Fried to perfection and paired with a hot sweet chilli sauce that offered just the right amount of heat. And the main event? Delicious. Fried chicken is difficult to get wrong, and when drizzled in an unknowable, sweet, red, tangy sauce, it is perfection.
Another dish came from the specials board. My dinner guest enjoyed dry noodles with crispy pork and a spicy, oily vinaigrette. Sounds simple and arguably plain. Fortunately, it was anything but – packing a real punch without the need for a bowl of boiling hot, albeit delicious, broth on a hot day.
Having previously lived in Thailand, another guest often disappointed by local dishes that don’t quite replicate the authentic flavours and spiciness of the cuisine found those concerns shattered and was pleasantly surprised by the deliciously fiery duck red curry. The duck was cooked well, while the sauce packed just the right amount of heat, making for a delicious plate.
The rich red colours of the vegetable massaman curry with the sticky white rice looked suitably appealing. Creamy, 'coconutty', and delicious. Opting for added tofu ensured it was filling enough for the rest of the day.If she'd been alone, this guest would have licked the bowl clean for sure.
There was very little to criticise here.
The Terrace Garden Café menu may provide some unpredictability from year to year, but one thing is reliable and that is the satisfaction which appears to reign supreme.
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