Anong Thai

There's a whiff of Thai life at High Wycombe characterised by the infectious enthusiasm to share good food. Anong Thai is more that just a culinary tour of Thailand or the generic western slant to Thai food; it's all about some rigorous cooking and a blend of exotic herbs such as galangal, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaf, holy basil and of course chillies!

The décor is all monochrome and minimalist and the light hued furnishings set the mood for a relaxed dining experience.

The menu is clearly laid out and those who'd like to start on a spicy note could try the hot and sour soup with mixed seafood, chilli, lime leaves and lemon grass, while spring onions, coriander and minced prawns wrapped in a roll of sugarcane, encrusted with breadcrumbs and deep fried may please more delicate palates.

Chef's specials feature the weeping tiger, marinated strips of steak char-grilled and served with a spicy homemade dipping sauce, and pad pong gare kung, king prawns stir-fried with a yellow curry powder and a hint of springs onions and egg.

No Eastern meal would be complete without their curry, so feast on a delectable range of these wonderful dishes such as roast duck cooked in a red curry paste with coconut milk, pineapple and tomatoes and the Thai green curry with fresh basil, bamboo shoots, aubergines and coconut milk. Seafood buffs could choose between a fillet of sea bass dipped in light batter, deep fried and served with a sweet relish, or squid, prawns and scallops stir-fried with aromatic herbs and spices.

A bowl of noodles tossed with bean sprouts, peanuts, chicken, prawns, vegetables or bean curd, or the lightly spiced rice noodles prepared the Singaporean way may prove to be a welcome break from the customary jasmine or coconut rice.

The sight of a chef with a sizzling wok in hand, tossing it deftly may leave you mesmerized and more so if you taste some of the stir fried dishes at Anong Thai where chicken, beef, prawns or squid are first seared before chilli, fine beans, onions and holy basil and sauces are introduced to spruce up the flavour.

Apple, banana or pineapple fritters feature in the short dessert menu and the drinks list has been specially chosen for its compatibility with Thai food and highlights Singha beer from Thailand. They also offer a free home delivery service in the High Wycombe area. The full menu, and much more, can be viewed on their Website.