Nahm-Jim & the L'Orient Lounge

This family-run Thai and Japanese restaurant in St Andrews has a fanatical local fan base, who were no doubt pleased to see their local darling reach the final of Gordon Ramsay's Best Restaurant TV show in 2010. Taking its name from the hot, sour and salty paste of chilli, coriander, garlic, galangal and lime juice used in Thai dishes, Nahm-Jim is a smart venue with whitewashed stone walls, wooden floors and tasteful artefacts to give a nod to its culinary roots. The kitchen deals in authentic Thai cooking using fresh herbs and spices flown in weekly from the markets of Bangkok, as well as hugely popular Japanese bento boxes, sushi and sashimi. Squid kari - crispy squid with lime and fresh chilli - gets the palate's attention, or you could try the signature Thai-style haggis. Moving on, chilli Thai basil pork and rice with oyster sauce is a well-balanced dish, or turning Japanese, you could go for miso lamb cutlets with spicy papaya salad.