Thai: Isarn

Isarn
119 Upper Street
N1 1QP
Tel: 020 7424 5153

Date of Last Visit: Sunday, June 15

The Victim: Me

The Damage: £9

The Background: If you haven't noticed, I have no problems dining alone. So it was that I found myself wandering up Upper Street the other Sunday and stopping in front of Isarn just as my stomach was starting to talk. I've been intrigued by Isarn for quite some time, but for some reason or another, I've never stopped in. Isarn is owned by Alan Yau's sister, Alan of Hakkasan and Yauatcha, his sister of I don't know where.

The Entrance: I kinda dig Isarn's decor. I alternatively hate and love the chairs, which are covered with some sort of mottled cow. The service is prompt enough and sweet enough.

The Food:They've got a lunch special, so I stick with that--a green chicken curry with some sort of fish cakes and a slice of fruit. The fish cakes are rubbery and awful, frankly. The green curry is nice, but there's just not enough of it. (Although for the price--£5.90--perhaps there was just enough of it.) The slice of watermelon is a nice touch.

What I liked most was my lychee tea, not a bargain at £2.50 but very prettily presented, unique and interesting. 

The Verdict: I prefer the food at the Thai place up the street. But I do like the feel of Isarn.