By Annemarie Field
“YOU know when something's so good you never want it to end?”, said my husband in between mouthfuls. “Yes darling,” I said, thinking he was referring to the fact he was spending an evening with his nearest and dearest.
“Well, if you're thinking of bringing me anywhere for my 40th, here would be great,” he said as he devoured the last of his five spice spare ribs.
“Here” is the Thai House in Eastbourne's Grove Road and it's not my scintillating company he is talking about but the food.
The restaurant has built a fantastic reputation since it opened its doors early in 2010 ¬ backed up by the fact it was packed on the Wednesday night we went along to see if the reality would match up to the reputation.
We were welcomed by owner Monchsar Braemar, known as Mon, who has been in Eastbourne with her husband Mark for more than ten years, since moving to the UK from her native northern Thailand.
The restaurant comfortably seats up to 46 diners and sources local produce where it can before it is freshly cooked by husband and wife chefs Chuan Chom and Phongsiri Jaifong, who have worked in some of Thailand's top hotels and restaurants.
The menu boasts a vast range of unique and wonderfully flavoured dishes from the traditional Thai curry to special dishes which change every month. Complimentary prawn crackers and nuts with a sweet chilli dipping sauce and were brought to the table while we perused the menu and ordered drinks.
Our starter, the Chef's Platter (£6.25) was a collection of delicious finger foods ¬ spring rolls, Thai fish cakes, chicken teriyaki, five spice spare ribs, and French Delight, bread with marinated shrimps.
My husband, a real carnivore chose the chef's special (£16.50) as his main course, Kae Ker Prao, a rack of lamb marinated in Thai House spices topped with stir fried onions, chilli and garlic and served with Thai sticky rice. The meat fell off the bone and had enough of a kick to satisfy.
There was an endless choice of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes but on Mon's recommendation I chose the Goong Chom Doung, fried king prawns topped with a peanut sauce and accompanied with stir fried cashew nuts and spring onions (£13.95).
I wasn't disappointed and the delicious Pad Thai (£6.75) I chose to go with it was the best I have ever tasted.
Very unlike me, I didn't have enough room for deserts but there is plenty of choice from traditional home made Thai desserts such as Kluay Tod, banana fritters and coconut caramel syrup with vanilla ice cream at £3.95, to English institutions like apple pie and treacle tart at £4.50. Once again my husband chose the special which in August was seasonal fresh mango with coconut ice cream and declared it delicious.
The restaurant is popular in the evenings but also offer a very reasonable lunch menu which is a starter and a main course for £9.95 which includes a glass of wine or a choice of tea or coffee. My husband's 40th may be two years away but we're certainly not going to be leaving it that long before we visit again!
The Thai House,
55 Grove Road,
Eastbourne,
Tel. 01323 646155