Thai Orchard

Thai restaurants are increasingly sharing space on local high streets with the Chinese and Indian establishments that have been a part of the London dining scene for many years now, and this is of course a good thing.

Thai Orchard in Forest Hill is one such example, and a very good one at that. It does thriving business in a mixed neighbourhood of working-class poverty and an increasingly young middle-class presence. It’s not cheap for the area, but then the quality of the food and ingredients are well worth the prices here.

A mixed platter for two as a starter will cost £6.95 per person, and comes with a tasty selection of staple nibbles such as chicken satay, prawn rolls and a host of other Thai favourites. Main courses include a wonderful Phed Makam, which is a marinated duck breast in Thai herbs and a tamarind sauce. The curries are well executed, nicely presented and they’re not stingy on the portions. Rice is served generously, and they do a fantastic Pad Thai.

Service is warm and friendly, and you can order take-away too if you’re that way inclined. The restaurant itself is moderately busy most days of the week, and it has a relaxing atmosphere that accompanies the exotic food very well. They don’t do anything remarkably different here, it’s just good Thai food done well, and you can’t ask for much more than that. A popular local favourite and one that is sure to last.

Thai Orchard, 3 Davids Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3EP. Tel. 020 8291 3901. Web: www.thaiorchard.com.