Foodie Focus: Giggling Squid

Though the new (ish) Cheltenham branch of Giggling Squid is part of a 29-strong chain, it was an opening that I’d anticipated for rather a while. There’s no shortage of decent Thai restaurants already in Cheltenham, each with their dazzling pros and natural cons, but Giggling Squid had received raving reviews from the off - it was sure not to disappoint.

The location on Montpellier Street, (the former home of Strada), couldn’t be more ideal. A handful of tables sit outside on the bustling pavement when it’s sunny, and the interior is something to boast about too. Well-lit and beautifully furnished, the dining room is clean cut and has enough little quirks to be interesting to look at - without being tacky. There are neutral furnishings throughout with splashes of colour provided from a selection of flower prints on the walls and ceilings. The tables themselves are set simply with only a placemat, which plays as a nice host to the many, many colours of the food.

Let’s talk about that food! The menu is eclectic, easy to navigate and truly does have something for everyone. What’s more, and often rare with chain restaurants, the prices are fair and definitely reflected in the quality of food received.

I started, somewhat begrudgingly, with a portion of prawn crackers recommended by the keen waiter. Though the obvious choice and always the same in other Asian restaurants, these were surprisingly unique. Lightly spiced and perfectly crispy, the extremely generous portion was accompanied by a sweet chilli sauce. Extremely moreish, they really are something different - who would have thought I could say so much about the humble prawn cracker?

I thought it almost criminal not to order some variation of squid given the name of the restaurant, so I chose the classic salt and pepper squid as a starter. Again, a generous portion arrived, seasoned well, topped with spring onion and paired with a sweet chilli dipping sauce. When it came to the mains, there was no shortage of great options, but the ‘Giggling Squid Favourite’ really was a nice touch in the menus, and led me to order the recommended Chilli and Basil Gra Pao with prawns, and a side of jasmine rice.

When it comes to drinks, there was a reasonable selection and a decent wine list, and even a handful of Thai cocktails thrown in - a really nice touch. The beers are fitting to the Asian vibe, with Singha, Chang and Lucky Buddha on offer amongst others, and the staff were keen to recommend options to us as well.

The front of house team, despite having only been working at the restaurant for mere months, were extremely knowledgeable about both the food and drink available. Their friendly offers of help in choosing a dish were genuine and definitely (as found at other restaurants), not patronising - they really couldn’t do enough.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a chain restaurant - you’re less likely to get a poor meal in one, however, you’re also less likely to get a memorable one. The word ‘mediocre’ springs to mind when I think about it. But with Giggling Squid, you really wouldn’t know that it is part of such a large chain. From the detail in the decor, to the interaction of the staff, to the exceptional food served up, I really struggle to see where you can go wrong with Giggling Squid - it’s a lovely addition to Cheltenham’s already buzzing Thai scene.

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This article was brought to you by Cheltenham Champion, Mara West.