Crazy Wendy serves up Elvis and Shirley It is the romance of holiday in the heart of Knutsford. The stunning Mae Gaew restaurant in King Street evokes the feeling that you are at the centre of something special....

and you certainly are.

Mae Gaew is unlike any other restaurant in Knutsford, perhaps unlike any in Cheshire.

Serving the authentic rustic cuisine of the Esarn area of north east Thailand, it really does seem to transport you to a distant and exotic place. The food and ambience alone would be enough to complete this lovely and intoxicating ambience. But here there is something else!

It is often said that the very best restaurants are an extension of the character of the owner.

This is certainly the case here. Thai food lovers of Didsbury (The Thai-E-Sarn on Burton Road) and Fallowfield (Thai Banana) are already well acquainted with the livewire owner affectionately known as Crazy Wendy.

During the 14 months that Mae Gaew has been open on Knutsford, her reputation has attracted many loyal customers, not just from the immediate vicinity, but across the county from Warrington, Congleton, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Chester.

They are willing to travel because they know they are going to (literally) taste something truly unique. At 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, owner Wendy transforms into her Crazy Wendy persona, and from there becomes Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and, at times, Rod Stewart.

None of this detracts from the true joy of Mae Gaew.

The distinctive and everhealthy Thai food.

"All the food is completely fresh...ALL of it,"

said restaurant manager Kovit Nakornjarupong.

"It is lovely old fashioned Thai Cuisine and very distinctive," said Wendy.

"We have a number of specialties," said Kovit.

"Grilled seafood in a spicy Thai sauce, red curry and prawn curry.

"Also the spicy coconut soup is very popular.

People understand that it is