Thai up your taste buds

The perfect way to end a stroll on the Heath is a drink and a Thai meal at the refurbished White Horse

BEAUTIFULLY refurbished, this old pub bears all the marks of its majestic past having been restored with its original features.
Whilst keeping the traditional drinking areas it features an elegant dining room with beautiful windows. With the sun coming through the blue stained glass, one gets the feeling of being in a brightly lit church.
The outdoor seats 24 and with its large umbrellas is ideal for those who like al fresco dining. I do and so it was the perfect venue for me to have Sunday lunch.
They serve Thai food which reminds me what my friend the late Larry Adler told me when we went to the opening of the Blue Elephant: “Will they allow me in without a tie?”
I had no problem as I was alone wanting to catch up with the Sunday newspapers only to notice that I had none. And neither did they but they immediately offered to go and get me one. That is service.
The menu is extensive and the dishes have great names: goong pao, kaeng lao, pad siyew with mouth watering description of the dishes. Useful information is also given such as three stars chef’s recommendation.
On arrival I was offered some delicious brown prawn crackers and the spritzer at £3.25 was well made with Pinot Grigio. I was offered a glass of chilled water without asking and the charming waitress from Poland was attentive. I can recommend the tempura vegetables and the chicken satay that come with delicious crunchy peanut and sweet chilli sauces.
The vegetables were crisp and included broccoli, mange tout, green and red peppers.
The pad grapow, wok-fried king prawns with onions, peppers, fresh chillies and fresh sweet basil, (£7.25) was very good but I wrongly ordered it with coconut rice (£2.50).
For me it was too sweet and I found the answer later when I saw sticky coconut rice as a desert accompanied by fresh mango (£4.95).
The vegetarian options were pad Thai flat rice noodles with vegetables, egg, bean sprouts, spring onions, carrots and peanuts.
There was also kaeng kiew wan, Thai green curry and pad king – wok-fried vegetables in a light and dark soy sauce, all at £5.95.
As to the wines there is a varied selection from Chile, Veramonte Chardonnay at £3.40 for a 175ml glass. From the USA there is a Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc and there is French Chanson Bourgogne Chardonnay £15 per bottle and the Pinot Noire at £15.75.
I noticed they had a blackboard advertising a special lunch menu available from Monday to Friday that included a mixed starter or main course platter at £5.50 and selected starters at £3.50.
When the bill arrived they had closed it having included a 10 per cent service charge which I topped in cash to 15 per cent.
Good news for residents and Royal Free Hospital visitors. What better way to treat yourself than taking a good drink and lunch if you are visiting the hospital or after a walk on Hampstead Heath?

The White Horse

154 Fleet Road
NW3 2QX
020 7485 2112
Lunch 12pm-3pm
Dinner 6pm-10pm