Blue Orchid provides perfect blend

Nov 5 2008 By Suzy Talbot

Blue Orchid, Sycamore Road, Amersham 01494 432245

I've always enjoyed the way a Thai meal sits nicely between an Indian and a Chinese, pleasing lovers of both.

I prefer Chinese, my partner likes Indian so Thai can be our compromise - he gets his curry, I get my sweet meaty dishes.

The Blue Orchid in Amersham-on-the-Hill is the perfect place to go for a relaxing Thai meal. The restaurant is ornate with large plants but spacious so the diner does not feel overwhelmed by the intricate design.

The tables are well laid, with heavy, ornamental cutlery that feels good in the hand and crisp, thick linen napkins.
There is a wide range of menus on offer, from set feasts to lunch time menus, Sunday buffet or free range from the main menu.

My dining partner and I opted to sample the wide choice on the main menu, with the full intention of a three course meal.
We decided to share a mixed platter, the perfect way of sampling a broad taste of the menu. It came with meaty fish cakes, tangy chicken wings, spring rolls  and large grilled prawns.

Very filling as a starter, which gave me the clue that perhaps I was not going to see a dessert that day.
I ordered a fruity duck curry for mains, the first time I have gone for a dish like this in a Thai restaurant. I fully admitted to being a chilli wimp and anything that makes my eyes water is a dish too far. I'm also dubious about things like duck and fish in a curry, but I am a lychee and pineapple lover and the combination proved too hard to resist.

Again, the portion was huge, with large chunks of duck and fruit swimming in a rich yellow sauce. While I still think I would have preferred a chicken or beef curry, the duck worked  well. It was quite hot but in a freshing and tangy type of way. While my eyes watered, my mouth did not go numb. The waiters must have seen my slight discomfort because a lovely glass of iced water was given out without me asking, testament to the very attentive service.

My partner ordered crispy chicken with a special sauce - something I might have normally gone for - and I maintain mine was the better meal. I think he did as well, because he kept stealing my sauce to cover his chicken with. Our only criticism of the whole meal was that his dish was a bit dry.

Our side orders were a portion of special noodles and rice, but we did not need both, the noodles were stacked with meat and a meal in itself.
Frankly, dessert was never an option after all that food, but then I find it very rarely is in Oriental restaurants. I was satisfyingly full, pleased that I had tried something different and smug that I hadn't had meal envy.

What we ate.

Mixed starter - £13.95
Special chicken - £9.95
Duck curry - £8.95
Noodles - £7.50
Rice - £1.20
Lager - £3.50
Small glass of house white - £3.50

Total: £48.55