Ma Ma Thai, Lichfield

Can this trendy city restaurant convert a self-confessed fan of Chinese food? It would appear so. . .

For years, friends have been encouraging me to try Thai food, writes Harry Gottschalk. If I was on death row and I was offered my 'final meal' it would have to be a Chinese.

Give me lemon chicken or sweet and sour chicken any day over most things. That's the point though: These are the only two dishes I ever have. Call me boring, but I know what I like.

After hearing several positive comments about Ma Ma Thai, in Lichfield, it was about time to get adventurous and try some food from a different country.

It did not take long for this 'new' cuisine to impress me.

While my partner and I waited for our starter we were brought spicy prawn crackers - a firm favourite snack of mine brought to life with a bit of zing.

First up came the mixed starter for two. Six separate items and all equally delicious. We had: Po Pia Tord - vegetable spring rolls; Gung Hom Pha - deep fried marinated tiger prawns in filo pastry; Tord Mun Pla - deep fried fish cakes; Kna Nom Pang Na Moo; deep friend mince pork and prawns on toast; Gai Satay - grilled chicken in Thai spices; and Som Tam - spicy carrot and onion salad.

Could the main dishes live up to the exciting and scrumptious array of starters? They could and they did. My girlfriend had Guay Tiew Pud Thai Moo, or stir fried rice noodles, with pork and bean sprouts in tamarind sauce, topped with crushed peanuts.

For me it was the Gaeng Pa-Naeng - described on the menu as 'the most Thai favourite'. How could I resist?

It was essentially a smooth red chicken curry, in coconut cream, with chillies and kaffir lime leaves. So that was that, I was converted.

The food was nothing short of exceptional, but there is more to Ma Ma Thai than the interesting and wide range of dishes. Customers are greeted by a smiley Thai waitress who sits you at a comfy, romantically-lit table. It takes about two minutes for your senses to settle down as your eyes are bombarded by the bright gold and purple decor.

The ambience music can only be described as a cross between the score to an Akira Kurosawa movie and the annoying jingle on a 1980's computer game menu screen, however, somehow it works.

It was a quiet Monday night visit, so being a nosey journalist, I got talking to the couple sitting near our table and asked them if they were Ma Ma Thai regulars.

Funnily enough, the man was from London visiting his Lichfield girlfriend, but he had visited twice before.

Apparently, there are several Thai restaurants in the Big Smoke, but none compare to Ma Ma Thai. If that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is.

Our waitress offered us desserts, but it was a bitterly cold night and the menu choices were a bit limited to sorbets and ice cream so instead we opted for some hot drinks. My partner had a good old English cup of tea, but I was feeling daring and decided to try the Jasmine tea.

The tea originates from China, but it felt Thai as it was served in a turquoise green kettle shaped like an elephant with the water coming out of his spout. It didn't taste of much, but for £1.20 it wasn't much of a risk.

The bill came to £53, which is slightly on the pricey side but I don't mind paying over the odds when my belly feels satisfied.

So the visit has taught me to be more adventurous with my food. I'll certainly be going back. The only problem now is, will I be brave enough to risk trying other dishes when I already appear to have found my favourites? Probably not, I think it will have to be another Gaeng Pa-Naeng.

ADDRESS

Ma Ma Thai: 17 Bird Street, Lichfield WS13 6PW

Telephone: 01543 411 911