WITH glowing recommendations on Trip Advisor calling Suan Thai one of the most authentic cuisines in the area, I had to try it for myself.

Although ratings on the travel site must always be taken with a pinch of salt, these reviews were spot on.

The casing for this delicious restaurant is at best plain, situated on the upper floor of a brick nondescript building in Tee Court, Bell Street, Romsey, but step inside and the tables are well spaced and the large room lovingly decorated.

It was not a very busy Wednesday evening, but the two members of staff were very attentive – dressed in traditional Thai skirts – and greeted customers like old friends.

And as I began perusing the extensive menu, I was very impressed with the reasonable prices of the dishes.

I started with the spring rolls. Soon arrived a generous portion of these crispy and delicious morsels, with a very tasty dip of sweet chilli sauce.

It proved to be a very good start but just a taster of greater things to come.

The gai yang – chicken marinated in garlic and pepper sauce – was served on a bed of shredded lettuce and carrot.

Although I was warned that the chicken was on the bone, the amount of very tender meat was more than enough and the delicious sauce went with the dish perfectly.

My dining companion’s gaeng keaw gai – green Thai curry – was a very big hit and complemented wonderfully with sticky coconut rice.

However, the size of the curry soon defeated us, but the waitress was very happy to bag it up for us to enjoy for lunch.

I was pleasantly surprised at the bill of £34, which included a glass of wine and pint of cider, proving that this Thai treat certainly had it all – delicious food at a value for money price.

JENNIFER RIVETT