Thai Legend, Pershore

FINDING a restaurant busy on what in most cases would be regarded as a slow day is an indication that you have probably picked a winner. So we were delighted when we turned usp at the Thai Legend on a Wednesday evening to find it doing a roaring trade.

To be fair, we had dined there twice before and gone away happy, so hardly expected to be disappointed. We were not.

Thai Legend is a popular restaurant to which patrons return time after time.

An attractive interior features traditional Thai artefacts and traditional dishes are produced using the finest ingredients, with herbs and spices flown in from Thailand.

The friendly and attentive staff, all dressed in traditional costume, demonstrate why their country is known affectionately as the Land of Smiles. The restaurant is an oriental oasis in the hubbub of everyday life, with meals enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

The extensive menu, with meals also available on a takeaway basis, caters for vegetarians as well as lovers of meat and fish dishes.

Diners can choose from starter dishes including prawns, squid, chicken, beef, pork and vegetables cooked in a variety of ways and using a variety of herbs and spices.

Main courses follow a similar pattern and if you have difficulty making a choice there is an alternative. Thai Legend has four set menus to include starters, main courses and desserts and offered to a minimum of two people. Banquet A is £17.50 per person, Banquet B (hot and spicy) £19.95, the special set dinner £18.50 and the Seafood Banquet £21.50.

The only meat my wife eats is fish, so we opted for the seafood menu and were not disappointed.

Prawn crackers and a dip were followed by a selection of authentic Thai starters.

Next came a quartet of dishes – mixed seafood in green curry paste with coconut milk, Thai aubergines and herbs, fillet of fish deep-fried and coated with sweetand- sour sauce, king prawns stir fried with fresh mushrooms; and stir-fried mixed vegetables.

A trolley brought on a very tasty selection of desserts. My wife chose oranges soaked in Grand Marnier while I had a delicious chocolate Crunchie cake with cream.

There was an extensive list of wines from throughout the world and we opted for two glasses of a light white Thai vintage. Fragrant green tea rounded off the meal and the bill for a thoroughly enjoyable evening came to £50.50.

HOW IT RATED

Food: 5
Service: 4
Value for money: 4
Ambience: 5