Dinner / ££ / 9/10

Family – Despite being in the centre of town Rosa’s is set up well for children with a kids menu and toilets with baby changing on the same floor as the tables. There is room for pushchair by a couple of tables but probably not a whole NCT class.

We needed a pre theatre restaurant option on a Sunday and Rosa’s Thai won, I had not been before but had recently lost a bit of love for thai restaurants in Nottingham (primarily, and a little unfairly due to the compromised quality after online ordering and home delivery).

We arrived early evening and it was reassuringly busy – I was immediately reminded of the restaurant it used to be (Loch Fyne) as very little has changed in the layout and feeling of the restaurant but it has been updated with the ‘story of the chain’ through photos and nic naks. The menu had a wide range of choices but not too many so as to draw out making a choice (I am looking at you Zaap). We decided on starter and main course as we had an hour and thought (optimistically) we would have time. It is such a shame to miss starters when having a Thai meal though – they are the best bit. My companion had Pandan Chicken Parcels and I ordered Sweetcorn Fritters after falling in love with those served at Kushi Ya (review coming as soon as I can get a reservation). I should have known better – these fritters were dense and the sweetcorn was sparse, they were too oily and a bit disappointing. My companions Chicken parcels were much tastier and had complex flavours that really sang (as soon as we realised we weren’t meant to eat the Pandan leaves, there really should be a note on the menu to guide ignorant diners like me).

After the starters we had 30 minutes until our show started and I began to become a little concerned we were going to be late. At this point any sane person would let the server know they had to be out in thirty minutes but as it was a shift change and I am British I opted for the alternative. Let my stress and anxiety rise to the occasion, continually glance at the kitchen door and eat at the pace of a Labrador in a Toby Carvery.

The main courses arrived (hooray) – a Massaman Beef Curry and a Chicken Pad Thai (ordered to truly compare to other Thai restaurants, a common theme). I have to applaud them for making a Pad Thai look attractive, this is not easy. The Pad Thai was sweet with tamarind, simple and really tasty, full of the kind of chicken that you remember from your childhood, dry and tender and not packed full of water. The noodles were light and the vegetables added freshness and weren’t overcooked. There was a noticeable lack of tofu which only made me like it more. It was one of the best Pad Thai’s I have had in Nottingham, but the star of the show was the curry.

My companion advised it was the best Massaman he had tried outside of Bangkok, I reached for the fork he passed me to make my own decision and he was 100% correct. A curry that has earned the description ‘fragrant’ the flavours layered on top of each other came through, one after the other with each mouthful. Packed with cashew nuts and tender beef (albeit in chunks as is traditional, over my preference of shredded) the potato and sticky rice thickened the curry making it a satisfying meal. I looked on jealously as he ate it all. By this point we knew we’d have to run to the theatre, we downed our drinks and quickly paid the bill. Next time I visit I won’t be quite so unrealistic about the time it takes to eat 2 courses and will skip the starters. This was much more than I expected from a ‘chain’ restaurant, what Rosa’s under delivers in starters and decor it generously makes up for with it’s main courses. And at the end of the day isn’t that the most important thing?