Sanuk - High Ongar
9:14am Wednesday 27th February 2008
SANUK, in High Ongar, looks like it should be an old English pub or an English tea rooms rather than a Thai restaurant. Inside, the carpet looks threadbare and needs replacing but the red decor is warm and welcoming on a cold February evening.
We were welcomed and shown to our table and were seated on two garden chairs, which the waiter apologised for and said that because they were so busy they had squeezed us in.
The atmosphere was warm, cosy and very friendly and the staff were attentive and very helpful. The restaurant gradually started to fill up with couples and tables of larger parties.
As we viewed the menu we were offered some Thai crackers and a selection of four dips to help our selection along.
These were great and made the usual prawn cracker a real treat.
We chose the special platter for two to start which contained chicken satay; Thai fish cakes; small chicken spring rolls; tempura squid; and minced pork dim sum. These again were fantastic, they were light and tasted so fresh.
The Special Platter (For Two) cost £12 and after this and the crackers I was full. We then chose Gung Keowan, King prawns in green curry £7.90 and Weeping Tiger Beef sirloin steak marinated in special Thai herbs, charcoal grilled and served with Thai sauce, £8.50 and Pad Thai a Special Thai style noodles, bean sprouts, spring onions, egg and ground peanuts.
The curry was fresh and full of King prawns and the beef was so tasty it melted in your mouth and the noodles were as good as anything you might find on the market stalls in Bangkok.
For dessert we shared a traditional Thai pancake with coconut. This was disappointing and tasted like it had been frozen.
I had a couple of glasses of Valpolicella, which was very reasonably priced.
The restaurant is relaxed and fun and has a huge menu including a children's platter for £6.25 and it would be a great place to go as a couple or with a group of friends.
Sanuk means warmth, enjoyment, fun, the good things in life and I would agree that this restaurant lives up to its name.
Sanuk
Thai Dining Room and Oriental Café Bar,
38 The Street,
High Ongar,
Essex
CM5 9ND