The Walmer Castle is a great place to have a pint in traditional English surroundings before heading upstairs for an evening of fine Thai dining.

The Venue
Tucked away from the mainstream eateries of Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove, this Notting Hill restaurant disguises itself as a mere local. Attracting an after-work crowd, the pub downstairs is so popular in its own right that it would be easy to miss the unassuming yet heaving restaurant above. Push your way to the back and climb the stairs to reveal a huge seating area with deep purple and sumptuous brown decor, together with some obligatory but stylish dragon wallpaper.

The Atmosphere
This place is clearly busy every day and to deal with it the service runs like clockwork; things operate so smoothly that you may well be forgiven for failing to notice when your drinks are refilled and empty dishes whisked away. The surroundings feel expensive, the chairs are exceptionally comfortable and the staff are unfailingly smiley. This is a great place for a relaxed and drawn out meal.

The Food
If you’re a stickler for lemongrass, coconut milk, coriander and satay (in short - all things Thai), then your best bet would be to order one of the feast menus. Not only are they ideal for big parties and general ordering ease, every part of these menus has been thoughtfully crafted and expertly considered by the chef. Usually opting for a set menu is like volunteering for an evening of overindulgence, but light dishes in realistic sized portions mean that dinners can satiate their appetite without getting a belly ache. For just under £23.00 you’ll receive four starters and five mains.

Whilst the prawn and fish dishes are tasty but unexceptional, the Pad Thai alone deserves to be awarded five stars. The noodles are loaded with crunchy carrots, tender pieces of seasoned chicken breast and sprinklings of chopped coriander that burst in your mouth. The Thai green curry is also exceptional, the blend of creamy coconut milk and the kick of lemongrass is unbeatable. For dessert, the Lotee Sai Mapraw, Pandan flavoured pancakes filled with coconut and palm sugar with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup is certainly worth sampling. The fresh desiccated coconut sweetened with natural sugar is rolled into a pancake is simply delicious. The pancake may look like its had a green highlighter added to its batter, but if you can stop worrying about the colour it’s a tasty way for the sweet- toothed to end their meal.

The Drink
According to the menu, a full bodied wine is a good accompaniment to spicy food. Like the food which it aims to accompany, the wine menu is innovative and considered; for every fixed menu there is a suggested wine, along with a short explanation of why. Follow their recommendations and you will not be disappointed. If you’re still craving a Thai finale, the brave can complete their feast with a Thai coffee; one that contains a dose of Mekong whiskey.

The Last Word
If you’re searching for good food to feed a crowd, or just feeling peckish after a pint downstairs, Walmer Castle won’t let you down.

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