Thai Pot - Bedfordbury

Newly refurbished in 2004, Thai Pot has now been successfully operating for over twenty years in the competitive environment of Covent Garden, this says something about both their quality and value for money.

It is one of those places where it is difficult to give an exact cost for a meal, as it can vary so widely; we have allowed £23 in the evening, this is presuming that you have a full meal with wine, but it could easily be less with most of their main courses only between six to seven pounds, outstandingly reasonable for London, and at Lunch you could take their Bronze Pot of chicken satay, green beef curry or chicken with cashewnut, steamed rice, coffee or tea for only £12.

"Thai food has been influenced by the cuisine of China and India but has evolved a distinctive style, which is continually being refreshed by new ideas. For example, Thai curries are not strictly speaking curries in the Indian sense. Their major ingredients are fresh herbs rather than dried spices. They are also lighter, relying on coconut derivatives rather than dairy products.

As a typical meal you will taste a wide range of herbs - basil, balsam, sweet balsam, lime, sweet lime, kaffir lime, coriander, shallots, garlic, mint, spring onions, lemon grass, tamarind, ginger, aromatic ginger, Siamese ginger and of course a variety of fresh chillis. The reliance on fresh herbs rather than spices is one of the reasons Thai food 'sits' lightly and is well accompanied by a variety of white and red wines.

Thai's normally order rice accompanied by a number of dishes which are served at the same time. The concept of sequential courses is not part of Thai cuisine - we like to taste a bit of one dish and then another, mixing the flavours. The menu is selected to achieve a balance between texture, taste and different meats and seafood."

Booking is strongly recommended, as they can get very busy. I am delighted to be able to say they proudly declare that Thai Pot is a monosodium glutamate free restaurant, so if you end up thirsty at the end of the evening it will only be because of the number of chillies that you have eaten or drinks that you have consumed!