This new modern up-market Thai restaurant is an absolute delight.

Its great central location, fresh ambience and excellent food and service make it a must go to place be it for some tapas style plates or a more substantial meal.

Benja means ‘five colours’ and the décor is certainly refreshingly bright although somewhat minimalist with contrasting dark walls.  The restaurant is spread over three floors with a bar and seating in the basement, the main restaurant on the ground floor, which is fairly small but cosy and then there is more room upstairs, so initial appearances can be deceptive.

The Set Menus offer great value starting at £10 per person for the Khao San Road Set of Papaya Salas, Fish Lollipops, a choice of Green Curry Chicken Fried Rice or Prawn Pad Thai or Spicy Basil Beef Sirloin on Rice.  The Silom Road Set at £12 consists of Grilled Chicken Salad, a choice of Beef Noodle Soup or Spicy Seafood on Egg Noodle or Prawn Coconut Fried Rice.  And finally Sukhum Road Set, which is for 2 people to share at £14.95 per person and includes The Great Bangkok Salad, Prawns on Lemongrass Stalks, Tom Yam Koong.  Then Steamed Seabass with Lime and Chilli, Stir-fried Chicken with Cashew nuts, Lamb Curry, Wok-fried Kai Lan Oyster Sauce and Steamed Rice.

The à la carte menu offers a wider range of starters and main dishes.  We shared the Hand Roll Avocado-Prawns and Grilled Squid, both were delicious.  We then went for the Steamed Seabass Fillets steamed to perfection and very healthy and Roasted Duck Breast.  They also have some nice curry offerings and fresh homemade noodles.  If you prefer milder dishes like me, the helpful and friendly staff will guide you so you make the right choice.  Starters are around £5 and main dishes £10.

As well as some tempting Signature Cocktails all at £6.50 the wine list offers some interesting wines from Thailand as well as the more traditional French regions, South Africa , Spain and Italy starting from a reasonable £3 per glass or £14.50 per bottle.  We enjoyed a delightfully light and crisp white 2010 Monsoon Valley Colombard from Thailand (£18.50).

Benja is closed on Sundays but open from 12noon to 10:30pm Monday - Saturday.