Do you still have larb?
That's the sort of question often asked by hungry diners at the fantastic Pailin Restaurant in Station Street, Lewes.
Larb, a blend of minced beef/pork with shallots, spring onion, coriander, lemon grass and galangal has been a favourite among customers for a long time.
Owner Pichit Rhatdanaglang and his team have run the MSG-free restaurant for more than 20 years, earning a formidable reputation in East Sussex.
Visitors trapse-in from as far afield as London, hoping that dishes such as roast duck will still be on the menu. And of course it always is, because Mr Rhatdanaglang knows his clients, and the menu has changed little in the past two decades due to demand.
That's not to say the chef doesn't whip up new dishes from time-to-time. And 'fresh' is the emphasis for all the produce at the Pailin including meat sourced from the Lewes area.
On the day we visit, we try the 'Sripailin' a mixed variety of starters for two people (£15).
A decorative plate of crispy treats arrives, lorded over by two flavoursome chicken satay sticks with dipping sauces.
For the main course I opt for beef gaeng paneng with rice( £5.85). The paneng oozes a subtle heat on my tongue and boasts a medium thick coconut sauce with a hint of citrus herbs. The beef slices are soft in texture and delightfully easy to nibble.
My dining partner chooses 'Fed Yang Pailin' roast duck with dark soy sauce, pickled ginger and cucumber (£7.05).
The dish arrives with the slices of tender duck arranged around the plate. Each duck morsel has a lovely roasted edge and the dark Thai flavourings, as well as the little pot of dark soy, pickled ginger and cucumber makes us feel rather naughty.
Mr Rhatdanaglang insists we try a dessert of fresh mango chunky sticks with sticky rice and
coconut milk sprinkled with sesame seeds (£5.50). We protest only a little, sharing the plate.
The nutty sesame seeds give an alluring lilt to the creamy and sweet combo of the mango and coconut.
Glyndebourne Opera stars and staff often frequent the Pailin and celebrities such as newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. The restaurant caters for different needs a noodle bar for those in a rush, an à la carte menu and lots of chef's specials for intrepid explorers to explore the joys of Thai cuisine. read more