On the weekend, we were walking through Victoria Street in Darlinghurst and decided to stop somewhere and get dinner. There are many restaurants and cafes to choose from on this street but our eyes caught the sign "Best Thai".

"Best Thai" is a pretty big call to make...it could have been called "Good Thai" or "Really Nice Thai", but at some point, the manager/owner clearly decided that "Best Thai" was the most appropriate and deserved name. We decided to eat there. We figured that surely a restaurant that claimed to be the best Thai (and I've tasted pretty good Thai before) with no caveats, must have incredibly good (the best in fact) food.

Liars.

The place itself looked fairly old and slightly unkempt - but that itself didn't bother me as many great eating places have battered and crusty looking decor. We ordered our mains and entrées and were quite prepared to try the meal of a lifetime.

The problem first began with our entrées. My Tom Yum Goong soup arrived quite quickly, NOT followed by Demis' mixed plate entrée. I ate my soup alone and got about halfway through before I had to stop. There was just too much flavour...too much lime, too many herbs and too much fish sauce, and although the first taste was OK - after a few mouthfuls it felt as though I were drinking ingredients rather than a meal.

The moment I gave up on my soup, Demis' entrée came. This time it was my turn to watch him eat and although he said it was pretty good (apart from the fish cake being bland - possibly because all the fish taste had fallen into my soup but I can't be sure of that - and the curry puff being too puffy with not enough curry)...I was beginning to doubt the alleged 'bestness' of the restaurant.

Our mains were soon brought to us (well my main came about 5 minutes later but that was a vast improvement on the entrées so I was impressed). I began eating my Kra Prao chicken and was quickly let down. It just wasn't that amazing. Feeling a bit saddened by my overall eating experience I forced myself to think positively and enjoy myself...afterall the meal wasn't amazing but it was still good.

I proceeded to eat my meal with enthusiasm and optimism...until I came across a strange looking vegetable. It was small, long and slightly furry, and while I munched on a piece of chicken, I tried to recall what vegetable it belonged to. Until I realised that it did not belong to any vegetable. In fact, it didn't even belong on my plate...the mysterious article was a dead caterpillar.

Like anyone who finds a dead animal in their food (other than the one they have ordered) I very quickly put my fork down and refused to eat anymore. My mind began racing over what I had already eaten and the possibility that other dead animals - possibly worse ones - could have also been hiding amongst the chicken and vegetables. With great panic I called for the waitress and explained my distress.

About 5 minutes later the manager arrived at our table and witnessed my caterpillar. When asked if I wanted a replacement meal I kindly but firmly replied;

"No thank you. We would like to pay for our entrŽes and leave".

The manager responded (loudly so that all other diners turned to see what was happening);

"Well I can take your main off the bill but you need to pay for the other main".

I couldn't help but laugh (laugh with bitterness while giving him the famous Catherine Navarro look). I told him we wouldn't be paying for the mains because we didn't eat them due to there being a dead insect inside one of them and that frankly it was nice of us to even offer to pay for entrŽes.

As we left the restaurant (not paying for either main), I noticed that the remaining diners who had just ordered their meals (and overheard the whole ordeal), did not look too excited.

With all the regulations we have in place, I find it unacceptable that a bug can still find its way into a meal. Moreover I am shocked that when an instance arises where this does happen - the manager chooses to make a public scene of it (rather than quietly deal with it), fails to apologise, and still expects the customer to pay for what is totally unhygienic and unsatisfactory.

Best Thai is not the best Thai. They haven't just over-exaggerated they have lied - and sacrificed an innocent caterpillar in the process! Word of advice to all readers...should you find yourself dining in a place that exclaims itself to be something quite extraordinary...question what it is they're covering up, and look carefully through your vegetables - a good restaurant should never need to advertise itself so irrationally.