The White Lion, 40 Linkfield Street, Redhill RH1 6BY Tel: 01737 764045
IT'S been three years since I visited this ancient pub – popular for its cask ales, good food and strong sense of community.
All these attributes were much in evidence on the Friday night we went along. Piped hits from the 60s gradually lost domination as the laughter and chat from the steady flow of punters took over.
It certainly was buzzing and a tribute to the customer care that Jon and Sharon Connolly have put into giving people what they want from their local. This includes the integral Bai Pho Thai restaurant, now well established and a thriving part of the pub's daily business.
The historic building (the oldest pub in Redhill) is on two levels with the dedicated dining area upstairs. We sat at a gallery table which looked down on the main bar and the happy throng of Friday nighters.
Although we were the first to sit in the small restaurant, it wasn't long before all tables were full.
While head chef Kat bustled away in the kitchen, her assistant Kai was busily taking orders and helping us make our minds up. There was so much to choose from!
We were shortly presented with our mixed starters. These included crispy sesame prawn toasts, fantastically fresh and crispy vegetable tempura and chicken satay, the latter marinated and served with a rich and satisfying peanut sauce. My favourite from this prettily presented selection was however, the sweet corn cakes, deep fried and served with a sweet chilli sauce. Simple food but bursting with flavour and texture.
My friend's main course choice of red curry chicken was deemed delicious as was Kai's recommended Massaman curry. This was a chilli-hot welcome addition to the main meal, consisting of a rich-tasting curry including potatoes, onion peanuts and a touch of coconut milk. This was voted a big hit with my pal who enjoyed the dishes eaten with egg-fried rice.
A colourful and appetising picture on a plate was my special dish of crispy seabass, decorated with pineapple, tomato, cucumber, mixed peppers and spring onion in a Thai sweet and sour sauce. This was crunchy and flavoursome – spicy, yet mellow. It ate well and contrasted with the softness of the recommended Pad Thai stir-fried rice noodles with egg and bean sprouts and special sauce. This is a very large portion and would easily serve two. I couldn't resist trying a little of the green vegetable curry sauce as well, its fragrant coconut liquor easily mopped up by the plentiful Pad Thai.
There are so many dishes to try, it goes without saying that we will be back before long to eat in or takeaway and delve into more of this favourite cuisine. We noted that there's a special lunch menu in the restaurant when a starter and main course is just £6.95p.
We also noted that for those who prefer it, there's traditional English pub grub including fish and chips and prawn cocktail.
Needless to say, it's best to get there early, particularly towards the weekend. It was no surprise to see people waiting for a table by the time we left – a further testament to the consistent good qualities of Bai Pho.
Patsy Payne
Rating:
Cuisine: Thai
Price for two without drinks: £46.70
Vegetarian choice: Good
Parking: Own car park or on street
