“AD” – Why is this here?

Nestled in the charming village of Bourn, the former Willow Tree pub has been completely reimagined and has emerged as Bamboo Sky, a stunning new Thai and Pan-Asian restaurant.

Having heard that the place had been entirely redone, I was keen to see the transformation for myself, as I had visited previously and was completely charmed by its cosy, picturesque interior.

The new interior has a more elegant and stylish ambience than before, with an atmosphere that feels both modern and enchanting at the same time. The same management team is in place and they have added a new team of talented Thai chefs who are creating what is described as an ‘authentic and exciting menu’.

Beyond the main dining area, the outdoor space is still a highlight, with a magical, fairytale-like charm continuing to captivate visitors. The venue’s popular private dining domes and teepee still provide unique and intimate settings, perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying a meal in a unique atmosphere.

Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the warm and friendly welcome I received. It was no surprise to learn that many of the staff, including two of the sisters who greeted me have worked here for many years. This long-standing team implies a high staff morale which is clearly a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to creating a happy work environment and a memorable experience for visitors from start to finish – very impressive in an industry known for its high turnover.

For drinks, I noticed a couple of tempting options on the beer taps. I found a popular Japanese beer called Asahi, which is well known for its light and crisp taste, and a great match for Thai food. I was also pleased to see a local craft beer that I simply had to try from Linton-based brewery, Wylde Skye, called Blonde East Coast (5.5%).

The Menu

The menu at Bamboo Sky has a lot to be excited about, featuring all the Thai classics you would expect, including curries, noodles, and rice dishes, as well as a list of half a dozen daily specials. For those visiting during the daytime, a special ‘Yum Cha’ experience with dim sum and tea is available and a kids’ menu is also on offer for little ones under 12.

Going that “extra mile” for Gluten Free

The restaurant places a strong emphasis on catering for dietary requirements. They go the “extra mile” for gluten-free diners, adapting many dishes to be gluten-free where possible, including their tempura and even offering a fully gluten-free dessert menu.

Prawn Crackers

I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the prawn crackers. They were a far cry away from those light airy ones you find in the cheaper Thai restaurants and actually felt like proper crackers. They were very thick and had a more earthy colour that was followed by a more robust flavour. I really enjoyed crunching into them and the sweet chili sauce was JUST about enough to serve the large portion.

Even the most simple things at Bamboo Sky are a work of art. I asked for tap water and it was presented in an incredibly attractive glass flask, proving that their attention to detail extends to every part of the dining experience (see above).

Mixed Platter

The Sharing Starter Selection was a great way to begin our meal, offering a bit of everything on one plate. This is an ideal starter to kick off the social element of dining, as it encourages everyone to share and chat, helping to bring the whole table together. It creates a positive and lively atmosphere while providing a fantastic opportunity to discuss the various dishes as you enjoy them.

The Sharing Starter Selection arrived with chicken satay sticks, tempura prawns, pork ribs, and vegetable spring rolls. The pork ribs were a revelation and came in a beautiful red colour with a slightly spiced, sweet glaze, that gave way to incredibly soft and meaty pork. They were an absolute joy to sink my teeth into, though there were a few more bits of gristle than I would have liked. The chicken satay was equally impressive, sliding off the skewer with minimal effort. I’ll never know how they managed to make it so tender and soft while it was still firm enough to hold on. Delicious!

However, a surprising standout was the vegetable spring roll. These were incredibly thick and crispy and absolutely packed with filling. The tempura prawns, while crunchy, were perhaps a little dry. Their only crime, however, was being unable to stand out when surrounded by such high-quality companions.

Duck Pancakes

The quarter duck pancakes were beautifully presented on a lovely green ceramic plate, accompanied by strips of cucumber, spring onions, and hoisin sauce. This classic dish is often associated with a Chinese restaurant and highlights the menu’s pan-Asian versatility while still staying true to an authentic Asian theme.

For a moment, I worried the pancakes would be too thin to hold the generous portions of duck that had been served. Luckily, every single one held strong, allowing me to wrap them up absolutely loaded with filling. The duck was incredibly soft and juicy with little shreds of crispy skin that made each bite pop. The hoisin sauce was thick and rich with a punchy flavour that worked perfectly with the delicate, aromatic flavours of the spring onions and cucumber. This dish was a thing of absolute beauty, not just visually but also in its taste.

Main Course

Pad Kea Pow stir fry

For our main courses, we were presented with a selection of dishes to sample.

The Pad Kea Pow stir-fry is a dish I wouldn’t normally order but I was immediately struck by the quality of the juicy chunks of thick-cut chicken, which looked lovely swimming in their black bean sauce. The accompanying red and green vegetables not only added a feisty crunch but also a variety of vibrant colours and flavours. There was so much going on in this dish that I found myself repeatedly going back for just one more taste.

Panang Chicken Curry

The Panang chicken curry was absolutely beautiful. As a type of red Thai curry, it is served with coconut milk, creating a thick, creamy texture with a slightly sweet and zesty taste, no doubt credited to the kaffir lime. This worked beautifully with the coconut rice, which provided an ideal base to soak up the lovely red sauce, while adding its own subtle sweetness. In fact, the sauce was so nice that my guest told me that she would happily eat it without any chicken or vegetables with only a dollop of rice – High praise, indeed!

Bamboodles (with prawns)

The charmingly named Bamboodles is a vibrant dish made with delicate glass noodles, pak choi, spring onions, carrots, peppers, and mushrooms, creating a wide variety of flavours and enough colour to rival a carnival.

The glass noodles are incredibly thin and light, allowing them to act as a blank canvas for the other ingredients. This allowed the big, meaty prawns to stand out, proud, while dazzling me with their juicy succulence, all while being a surprisingly healthy meal due to the low calorie nature of the glass noodles.

Thai honey sizzling red pork

The undisputed star of the evening was the sizzling red pork belly. It was brought out kicking and screaming, sizzling loudly on a hot plate demanding attention. Each slice was covered in a sweet honey glaze that invigorated the dish was sweetness. The pork was tender and juicy. To truly appreciate this dish, watch our video here.

Dessert

Not only was the sizzling pork putting on a bit of a show for us this evening but so were the desserts, with the Chocolate Bombe. Presented as a dark, rich sphere garnished with powdered pistachio, it theatrically melted in front of my very eyes with a warm, gooey river of salted caramel, revealing the deliciously gooey pile of sugary excess.

The Passion Fruit Ice-cream & Sorbet offered a more humble and less theatrical experience than the Chocolate Bombe, but it provided a wonderfully refreshing and creamy end to our meal. The vanilla ice-cream, in particular, was exceptionally well executed and, at just £2.50 a scoop, it proved to be surprisingly good value.

Tea & Coffee

Bamboo Sky offers a variety of exciting drink options, from botanical teas, coffees, and a wide selection of cocktails and mocktails. For a fun and light-hearted treat, you can try one of their bubble teas, lovingly named ‘Bamboba’.

I helped myself to a jasmine tea, which was beautifully presented in a glass teapot. This allowed me to see the gradual colouring of the tea before pouring, which was a nice touch.

Bamboo Sky takes great pride in its coffee, sourcing it from the independent, Saffron Walden-based roastery, Wood Street Coffee. Using ethically sourced Brazilian beans, produced in small batches, this ensures a robust flavour that even a guy like me can appreciate.

Conclusion

Overall, Bamboo Sky offers a truly memorable dining experience; from the impressive starters, like the chunky spring rolls and chicken satay, to the impressive main courses, such as the sizzling pork belly.  Each dish is a testament to the new kitchen’s skill and with the restaurant successfully merging classic Thai flavours with pan-Asian influences, it proves a versatile menu that is both authentic and exciting.

The attention to detail, from the colourful presentation of the Pad Kea Pow stir-fry to the theatrical flair of the Chocolate Bombe, makes dining here a show in itself. Every element, right down to the surprisingly good value of the desserts and the range of unique drinks, contributes to a fun and engaging atmosphere that will give you a reason to visit again and again. Bamboo Sky is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality meal that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds.

Thanks for reading