REVIEW: Rai d’Or deserves awards for authenticity and quality

I suspect that if I was to ask any of our local residents, ‘where would you find a pub that is 732 years old’, they are unlikely to name the Rai d’Or.

Now that is not to suggest that it has been a pub for that length of time. Far from it, it earned its name translated as The Golden Ray, from being a House of ill-repute in the 13th century.

The evidence of this being found in its massive roof timbers.

So, there would be a lot of scratching of heads in trying to think of a pub of more than 600 years old but over 700 years, surely not. The Rai d’ Or proudly claims that title.

Not only has it won some significant awards in its time, principally for its beer, but for the last 23 years it has steadily built up a fine reputation for the excellence of its Thai dishes.

Thanks to its kitchen team, who have been preparing authentic Thai dishes at the Rai for a combined period of 83 years.

Rai d'Or, Brown Street, Salisbury (Image: Newsquest)

One of the most critical decisions that derives from a successful restaurant is that over the years, the menu, wines and other drinks are changed to meet the evolving tastes of one’s customers.

But what about the interior of the restaurant? The concern is that the atmosphere and the whole ambiance of the restaurant is contained in its fabric.

The Rai’s interior does not appear to have changed since the owner Simon opened it 23 years ago. It is comfortable, in modern terms, ‘Shabby chic.’

The 16th century Ox Row Inn has just carried out a very careful refurbishment that has ensured that it still is a lovely old Inn retaining its ambiance. Now there is a challenge!

We had a really lovely meal on our visit and Di and I were fortunate that Simon joined us, so we suggested that he chose what we had to eat. He naturally laid down a few ground rules.

One was that Thai people tend to share their dishes - he’s married to one, so he should know.

Great fun, food placed in the centre of the table and we all ‘dig in’. The other that few dishes take more than 10minutes to cook.

For Starters

[Priced between £5.45 to £11.95]

We ordered Peking Duck. With pancakes, cucumber, spring onion and hoi-sin sauce.

Peking Duck, with pancakes, cucumber, spring onion and hoi-sin sauce, and the Mixed Starters, Spring roll. Chicken Satay, Prawn Roll, Crispy Wonton, Thai Fish Cake and Thai Prawn Crackers (Image: Newsquest)

Plus, Mixed Starters £7.25, per person. Spring roll. Chicken Satay, Prawn Roll, Crispy Wonton and Thai Fish Cake. And of course, Thai Prawn Crackers, freshly cooked with Thai spices (£2.15.  [Scored 9]

Main Course

Prices from £9.35 to £12.95.

We chose from the Stir Fried Dishes from a selection of 10.

The Cashew Nuts, Stir Fried Chicken with cashews, garlic, ginger, pineapple, red and green onion and spring onions.

The Cashew Nuts, Stir Fried Chicken with cashews, garlic, ginger, pineapple, red and green onion and spring onions (Image: Newsquest)

From the Chefs Specials a choice of  eight we had Thick Fish Curry Deep fried fish in batter cooked in a Panang curry sauce with lime leaves, basil and fresh chilli.  [Scored 9]

Customers may also select from an exciting choice from three Set Menus; Four Vegetarian Menus, two Noodle Dishes and five Rice based dishes.

Thick Fish Curry Deep fried fish in batter cooked in a Panang curry sauce with lime leaves, basil and fresh chilli. (Image: Newsquest)

This is the restaurant where variety is the spice of life!

Desserts

Select from the daily menu priced mostly at £4.50 each with an assortment to suit all tastes, we chose Lemon and Lime Posset with homemade shortbread.

Lemon and Lime Posset with homemade shortbread. (Image: Newsquest)

I also tried a delicious Banana Roll with ice cream and custard.

Banana Roll with ice cream and custard (Image: Newsquest)

[Scored 9.5]

Wines and Beers

The heritage of this as a Pub is reflected in the range of Beers available and the fact that it is visited just for that purpose and hence its collection of beer awards.

Its wine list is limited but attractive, the price per bottle starting at £19.50 to £26.50 for a bottle of sparkling.

Nine white, four reds, one rose, two sparkling.

Wines by the glass from £5.75. Make no doubt about it, the Rai d’Or also deserves to win awards for the authenticity and quality of its food and menu. We gave  it an overall score of 9.5. the highest score ever, as yet awarded. Well done to the Thai Team at the Rai d’Or.

The Rai d’Or is a great place to eat but only opens from 5Pm Tuesdays to Saturdays. Food served from 5:30pm Takeaways up to 7:30pm