I’VE never been to Thailand but friends have tried to persuade me to go citing amazing scenery, people and food.

With that in mind, myself and my partner headed off to Thai Sakon in Huddersfield town centre.

Situated just off the ring road and close to Domino’s Pizza it’s hardly an inspiring location.

But descending down the stairs into the glass-walled restaurant raised our hopes.

The dark wood tables and distinctly-Thai but thoroughly modern fittings gleam and the whole place was spotless.

Greeted, we were ushered to take a seat on a leather couch and peruse the menus - both drinks and food.

After plumping for the cheapest bottle of white (£11.30) we then dived into the food menus.

If you’re not familiar with Thai food then you should know it often has a bit of a kick - but rather than raw power, the heat is enveloped by other flavours.

More like body blows than a knock-out punch!

Thai Sakon’s menu says the basic seasonings are basil, lemon grass, garlic, coriander, cumin, coconut milk and lime, with a variety of other spices, including chilli.

Starters include spring rolls, marinated chicken, tempura chicken, prawns and other simple dishes all jazzed up with Thai flavourings.

We ended up ordering the Mixed Starter (£6.25 per person) which included grilled strips of chicken with a satay sauce, spring rolls, a version of prawn toast, fish cakes, chicken strips and prawns in light Tempura batter.

The beautifully presented dish arrived at the table moments after finishing cooking and tasted fresh and clean.

Served with a trio of dipping sauces, all the flavours were there and the quality of the starter was beyond question.

Juicy chicken, thick and flavoursome prawns and deliciously delicate vegetables.

Plate cleaned, we waited for our main course, which was ordered a la carte.

My partner, who is a big seafood fan, agonised over prawn or fish dishes, in the end picking Geng Som Gung, or a spicy and sour prawn curry with white cabbage. I went for the pork Jungle Curry, containing herbs, vegetables,

bamboo shoots, chilli and hot basil

leaves (£9.25 and £8.25 respectively). We added jasmine rice (£2.20 each) and a side of broccoli (£4.20) and crackers (£2).

My curry (which wasn’t thick and more like a soup) burst with flavour and really rolled around the mouth. Not too hot at the start, by the end of the meal I had tingling lips - a sure sign of a hot one.

My partner’s meal, which was marked on the menu with one chilli, rather than the three mine earned, was almost as hot but again the heat was part of the whole make-up of the dish, which boasted the huge prawns again.

The broccoli side helped add some crunch and we cleared our plates.

The food at Thai Sakon is fresh and flavoursome, but as you can see from the prices it isn’t cheap.

If you want to try a taste of Thailand I’d recommend a visit, but if the prices deters you, the restaurant does set meal deals starting at £15.50 per person including starters, mains, rice and coffee afterwards.

They also do an early bird (order before 7pm) of two courses without wine for around £10 or with wine for just under £14, which offers good value.

Rather jetting off on holiday, start your voyage of discovery with a trip closer to home.

Thai Sakon

5 St John’s RoadHuddersfield

Rating

Venue Thai Sakon

Tel 01484 450159

Website www.thaisakon.co.uk

Opening hours Monday-Friday 5.30pm-11pm, Saturday 6pm-11pm, Sunday 6pm-10pm

Children Yes

Disabled access details

The bill £53.20 for two including drinks

Would you go back?Yes, but watch the pennies.

To see the other nine Trip Advisor top ten restaurants in Huddersfield click here.