Neil Littman enjoys a tasty Thai meal at The Meeting Bar and Restaurant

The interior at The Meeting boasts an authentic Thai decor

The population of Enfield is around 330,000 people, so considering there are almost 2,000 Thai restaurants in the UK – including a large number of these in London – it’s surprising the borough only has three places exclusively serving this popular cuisine.

Of the three in Enfield, one is the (well-regarded) Val’s Thai pop-up at The Hop Poles, and another is a takeaway in Ponders End. But a welcome surprise for me was The Meeting Bar and Restaurant in Southbury Road, near Cineworld Cinema, which I visited one evening. Formerly operating as The Southbury, a hotel and pub serving Thai food, the venue changed its name to The Meeting in 2013 to focus on its food offering. Today the interior boasts an authentic Thai décor with dark wood and features images from temples, set off by screens and animal statues.

It was very busy the evening I visited – if, on a Tuesday, you are asked if you’ve booked, then you know it’s a popular place! I was seated at the only free table, next to a dividing wall from the main dining area, and realised it might be a better experience to turn up with a few friends next time.

I ordered a starter of pla muek yang, which is chargrilled squid with a spicy chilli dipping sauce, and a Singha beer. The starter was decorated with a carrot sculpted in the shape of a butterfly, which was a surreal touch. The dipping sauce was one of the hottest I have ever tasted, which was followed by an immediate order of tap water. I could still taste the heat during the main course. Perhaps it would be sensible to add another couple of chilli symbols on the menu to warn other diners!

The menu is extensive and covers traditional ground, with green and red curries and the thicker-style massaman curries with potato and roasted peanut sauces. They serve a wide range of regional dishes, including fried rice with crabmeat, deep fried fish balls, laksa style soups, as well as a lot of seafood options and vegetarian and vegan dishes. However, the menu says that there are no gluten-free options.

I opted for a main dish of stir-fried duck with peppers and onion, in a rich tamarind sauce. Fortunately it had no chilli symbols next to it on the menu, and was accompanied by a side order of coconut rice.

From the lively atmosphere I think it would be a good place for groups to share dishes and my only regret was not being able to try more dishes, as I was dining on my own, but what I ate was very good and I will be sure to make a return visit soon.

Starters are priced from £7.95, main dishes from £10.95. Set meals start at £25 per person (for a minimum of two people). They also serve a Thai hot pot menu from £15.95 per person and £7.95 for children “under 120cm” (here’s hoping a tape measure is provided!).

The Meeting Bar and Restaurant can be found at 253 Southbury Road, Enfield EN1 1RG and is open from Monday to Friday, 12-3pm and 6pm-11pm, on Saturdays 12pm-11pm, and on Sundays 12pm-10pm. To book:
Call 020 8363 6856
Visit themeetingenfield.com

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