THE words hidden and gem are too often used in the same sentence.

But I’m so taken by this heavenly little hideaway in the New Forest that I was quite tempted not to tell you anything about it at all.

I first discovered Zen Garden when I was lucky enough to be on a pampering treat at SenSpa at Careys Manor Hotel, by far the most amazing spa I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

One of the many reasons it stands out is that, at lunchtime, you can retire in your dressing gown and slippers to yet another slice of paradise for a superb Thai lunch in a tranquil setting.

But to my utter delight, I found out the restaurant is also open to the public for lunch and dinner.

Clientele are mainly guests at the hotel or spa. So for your regular diner, it requires a little effort, but is worth every second seeking it out.

A friend and I had taken the train to Brockenhurst for a summer’s evening walk around the village, just 13 minutes on a picturesque train ride from Southampton Central.

After a five mile hike in the open forest surrounding Brockenhurst, we were ready for our dinner and took a stroll around the back of Careys Manor Hotel to seek out Zen Garden, a wooden panelled bright space adorned with Thai antiques.

We were seated just next to open patio doors leading out onto a lovely Eastern inspired patio and garden, the perfect place to enjoy supper on a delightful evening.

Within minutes, we were tucking into a shared starter of a selection of the restaurant’s most popular starters and a bottle of crisp rose wine.

Every mouthful of the freshly prepared Ruam Mid, containing Spring Rolls, Prawn Toast, Chicken Satay and Papaya Salad, was an absolute delight.

To follow, I opted for King Prawn Pad Thai Noodles stir fried with eggs, bean sprouts, spring onion, cashew nuts and tamarind sauce. They were every bit as good as I remember them being in Thailand and took me back to the beach restaurants of Krabi where I first discovered my love of Thai food.

My companion also declared her Keang Keiw Wan Kai – Chicken Green Curry with coconut milk, aubergine, bell peppers, courgettes and lime leaves – a complete triumph and too good to leave, which wiped out any chance of dessert.

A two-course dinner for two, with wine, came to less than £65.

We left feeling relaxed and completely satisfied, but not too horribly full that we couldn’t continue our stroll to the nearest pub for a nightcap.

Zen Garden Thai Restaurant at SenSpa, Careys Manor Hotel, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RH.

Call 01590 623551
Email them at zengarden@senspa.co.uk or visit their website at thezengarden.co.uk