Lan Sang Thai Restaurant, Nerja, Spain (Lunchtime menu)

I've been wanting to visit Lan Sang, Thai/Lao Restaurant for sometime now so, as it was my birthday on Saturday, what better excuse?

The last two years I've not been able to celebrate my birthday due to illness so this year I was determined to go somewhere new.  Normally on our birthdays we tend to go out with a crowd of friends.  In fact, most of the time when we go out we are in a group, so for my birthday this year we decided it would be a nice for Barry and I to go alone.

Apart from the fact the weather was not particularly nice, it was a perfect day.  Fran (my adopted spanish mum) popped over in the morning with a present.  We then got ready and left home for the short trip down the mountain road to the N340 motorway and along 1 junction to Nerja.

Have you ever visited, or indeed live, in Nerja? (Read about it here) If not, I urge you go, it's a wonderful place. If I could afford a villa close by, I'd move there!

Onto lunch......

For lunch, the Full Menu, is not offered, but the lunch menu certainly gives enough options.  One (main course) is 11 euors, 2 courses 15 euros, or 3 courses 18 euros.  The desserts are all options available on the full menu....

When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly young spanish waiter.  A little surprising, but good to see the owner is employing locals too.  We were the first diners to arrive and decided to sit at one of the tables placed by the full height glazed doors at the front.  The menu was handed to us quickly and we were asked if we'd like some drinks.  Barry ordered a thai beer and I ordered a glass of white wine (should have ordered cava really, but too late!).  There are very attractive fold up wine lists placed on all tables.......

To start Barry ordered the Tom Kha Goong, Spicy prawn soup with galangal and coconut milk....

Barry orders this famous soup whenever we visit a thai restaurant.  We both commented on how attractivly presented it was.  He said the prawns were cooked to perfection and the best Tom Kha Goong he's ever tasted.  Upon tasting myself I had to agree it was superb!

I ordered the popular alternative Tom Yam Kai, Traditional Thai hot and sour soup with chicken and mushrooms.

A soup I often order too.  It was delicious although I felt the chicken was a little overcooked!  As for taste, I have to admit Barry's Tom Kha Goong was far superior.  Note to self for next visit.

Onto the second courses.  The menu states all dishes are served with jasmine rice.  After much discussion we decided to order two different dishes to share.  2 options of noodles, as additional side dishes, are also offered; but knowing we never manage to eat it all, we decided against noodles.

Barry ordered Neua Gaeng Panaeng, A thick red beef curry sauce topped with coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves....

The sauce was amazing, although not as thick as the menu description.  Unfortunately, the beef was a little dry and slightly tough, but overall delicious.

I opted for the Kai Gatiem Pick Thai, Stir-fried chicken with garlic and pepper....

I was expecting this dish to have very little, if any sauce, and to be quite a dry dish.  I was surprised to find a lot of sauce with it, but pleasing flavours regardless.  Disappointingly lacking in the flavour or garlic and pepper though!  The chicken however, was cooked to perfection, unlike my soup.

Before arriving, I had made up my mind to leave room for the coconut ice cream.  Unfortunately I could not manage it.  In fact, we did manage to finish our main courses and cheakily asked for a doggie bag which was happily provided.

The decor is very pleasing and I'm glad to say the leather chairs are very comfortable too.  Something many restaurants do not consider enough.

The staff are very attentive and the chef visited our table at one point to ask if the food was satisfactory.  Nice touch.  The food was not rushed, nor did we wait to be served too long for each course.

Overall, it's definitely the best thai meal we've had for many years and will be visiting again.  Next time I'd like to sample the full menu and so will be booking for an evening meal.  Probably with friends too, so we can all sample and share dishes.  Anyone like to join us?

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