We have a lot to get excited about… because the UK’s largest Thai restaurant group, Giggling Squid, has chosen Wimbledon Village for its first ever London opening.
Known for its “staggeringly good Thai food,” Giggling Squid has been looking to open a branch here for a long time. Co-founder, Pranee Laurillard said, “It’s quite exciting for us. We have always liked the area and looked around there a lot. It’s close to London but it has its own right to be a town. It has a local feel and is very charming.”
With restaurants around the UK in towns such as Bath, Hove, Guildford and Norwich, they’ve come a long way since their early days as a humble Thai tapas kitchen in the basement of a fisherman’s cottage. But though they started small, their idea had power: to cook simple, rustic, fresh food that people can eat like they do in Thailand – lots of dishes shared amongst everyone.
It’s this authenticity along with their charismatic charm that helped them establish themselves with a strong reputation for quality. Everything they do, they do with passion, making sure that they only serve food that’s up to scratch. Pranee and her husband and business partner, Andy, enjoy the dishes at home and even test out their children’s menu on their own three kids.
In fact, the restaurant itself is named after their youngest son, Henry, nicknamed “Giggling Squid” for his wriggly, giggly nature: “The kids are proud of the name because they have a part.”
Along with tapas, the menu offers bigger dishes of the more traditional curries and stir frys. And there really is something for everyone: from chicken, beef and duck, to seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options, there’s a whole range to enjoy. And don’t forget dessert! We’ve got our eyes on the black sesame flavour ice cream and caramelised mango cake…
The new Wimbledon opening will be located on the old Cafe Rouge site, opposite Carluccio’s, and will be open from lunch to dinner from this summer – and it couldn’t come soon enough! We’re keeping a lookout for the launch night which will be held later next month after building work is complete.
