A MEAL at the Suan Thai promised to be an interesting experience.

Firstly because the last time I ate there was several years ago when it was called the Lana Thai and was under a different management.

And secondly because my dining companion had not long returned from Thailand and was therefore well placed to give the food the test of authenticity.

Well, on both accounts the Suan Thai scored pretty highly.

I was glad to see that the restaurant's current owners had given the interior a makeover.

The generally dark impression of the restaurant as it was before has been replaced with a brighter, more airy feel, thanks to the wooden floor, white walls and wooden tables and chairs.

The pretty, petite Thai waitresses are still dressed in their traditional gold-embroidered outfits, and they're just as welcoming as I remembered.

According to the menu, five to six dishes with rice should be suitable for four people, so my friend and I chose Thai green chicken curry, fried rice noodles with egg, prawns, beansprouts and ground peanuts, plus stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice.

We washed it all down with a glass of the house white and some mineral water, and our drinks also came with a portion of moreish prawn crackers.

My friend confirmed that everything tasted very authentic, and we both agreed the coconutty chicken curry was the best of the lot.

There were many other delicious sounding dishes I'd like to try on the menu, like deep-fried battered green vegetables, sweet and sour prawns with cashew nuts, and crispy wontons. Our bill came to a very reasonable £22.10.

Reservations: 01794 511115.