It is well worth seeking out this extremely reasonably priced Thai restaurant on the first floor above a pub, The Robert Browning, in Maida Vale. The open dining area is traditionally decorated, strangely though, not in Thai style as it could not look more ostentatiously English if it tried.

Fans of the place are surprised at how little it costs for a party of people and that, if you drink the beer instead of wine, it amazingly always seems to come at little more than fifteen to twenty pounds a head. Some are less than enamoured of it, feeling that the Thai food has become rather anglicised and overrated, but they seem to be in the minority; though the odd strange description does serve to reinforce their view, like 'Pinky in Blanket' for deep fried prawns in rice pastry, but that is just the owner's sense of humour showing through.

Most find that the quality tends to be surprisingly reliable, and that the majority of the dishes are actually remarkably authentic. Though it is off the beaten track, you should find that Ben's Thai is definitely a reason to undertake an urban safari to North London, especially for those on a budget.