Wine and Dine
Your reporter monthly guide to eating out

THAI E-SARN
By Gareth Hughes

The atmosphere at Thai- E-sarn is fantastic. The decor was wonderful and a sense of enjoyment from the customers gives the restaurant in West Didsbury a warm and cosy feel. Instantly greeted by a face of a young, attractive woman, I asked her if she knew where Wendy, the manager was and that she was expecting me. She then looked at me smugly and said "Sorry I don't work here." She then carried out her route from the toilet to her table where she continued dining.

"Oh dear, ever so sorry," I replied.

The smiling face of Wendy followed and she soon had us sitting down with two bottles of Singha Thai Beer.

After leaving us to ponder over the menu a while, Wendy returned to take out order. For starters, I had Gra-Dook Moo, deep fried marinated spare ribs with garlic. There were absolutely delicious. The best I have tasted. My associate had Esarn sausages, Grilled Eastern style and served with garlic and lemon grass. Different, but very nice.

With our appetites wetted and our glasses empty, Wendy was soon at our table again, clearing away our dishes and fetching another two bottles of Singha Beer.

Wendy recommended the excellent Ho Mok Talay, mixed seafood consisting of scallops, tiger king prawns, mussels and squid, all wrapped together in a curry coconut cream past with sweet basil.

I decided that wanted to try my favourite Thai dish, Green Tiger Prawn Curry, and in all the Thai restaurants I have visited, I have known none that have had tiger prawns as big as Thai E-sarn's. The dish also came with scallops to add a little more interest to the meal.

Wendy has two restaurants that offer the same excellent services. There is a 15 per cent discount on Take-away orders for over 10 pound and a ten per cent student discount for dining in.