In contrast to last year's birthday bash, complete with a $400 tent, food for days, inflatables, games, etc., March 31st. seemed to creep up like a thief in the night. I'm not sure if I subconsciously blocked it out in my quest to avoid the unavoidable angst I feel each year about growing older, but as we know-time waits for no one-not even ME. Therefore, this year when I was asked about my plans approximately 10 days before my birthday, I declared that I'd like to keep is simple. Breakfast (maybe), an hour long Swedish massage, lunch, more relaxing and dinner-somewhere nice. Too bad things seldom go the way they're planned. For many, that's what makes life interesting. For me, it's a persistent thorn in my side. So days before my Wonderful Weekend Day of Wonders, turned into a nightmare. I stressed about why no one seemed to be interested in MY day. All I asked for was a cake and two days prior, I was informed that it hadn't been ordered. BUMMER! Nevertheless, Saturday (3/31) arrived and it went a little something like this.
I decided to skip my breakfast plans and move right along to my spa appointment. Since this blog is about food, I'll spare you the details and leave it at, The massage was wonderful and when I arrived at the front counter, I was told that my services had been paid in full. Thanks again, Mona :-) SWEET!
On to lunch at La Thai. I first visited La Thai in October of last year and really loved the atmosphere. The food wasn't bad either ;-) Fast forward to a week before my birthday when a few close friends raved about their experience at La Thai. I couldn't resist trying it again. We started off with a dish called Mama's Stuffed Chicken. It's a large chicken wing stuffed with ground pork, glass noodles and spices. This dish was highly recommended by the ladies a week prior, but left a lot to be desired. And let me be clear, when I say "A lot to be desired", I mean a lot of something other than their Mama's Stuffed Chicken (pun intended). I didn't bother snapping a picture, partly because the dish didn't look especially appetizing. Secondly, because I knew I'd be sure to caution anyone who informed me of their intention to visit, to steer clear of the dish completely.
The server was friendly enough and the service was quick. On to the second course...Crispy Oysters topped with lump crabmeat, mixed veggies and sweet chili soy glaze, jasmine rice on the side, along with a vegetable spring roll. Now for the kicker...the value was excellent. The food, not so much. The sauce on the bottom of the plate didn't go well with the crispy oysters and actually made the underside soggy. I'm a huge fan of crab meat, jumbo lump especially, but even it was flavorless. The vegetable spring roll reminded me of one of Pagoda's finest, direct from your favorite grocery store's frozen food department and I could have imagined the rice working much better to complement the dish if served on a separate plate. Thai cuisine is all about lightly prepared dishes with strong savory components. This dish had all of the right appearances of a traditional thai dish (even considering the crowded plate), but the sauce was too heavy and the construction of the dish a bit too convoluted .
Crispy Oysters
My date, who was clearly underwhelmed by the entire experience, ordered the Thai Jumbo Shrimp...a safe enough option with a better overall flavor, but still nothing to brag about. He started immediately which prevented me from snapping a good picture, but the two dishes strangely enough, very closely resembled one another.
After about an hour, we were both ready to press on with the day. I inquired about their dessert menu and was sold on the "Last slice of key lime pie". Typing this I realize that I'm a sucker for crazy one-liner's like that. The server immediately went to the back and pulled out a box of keylime pie from the refrigerator. For all I know, it was Sara Lee. Needless to say, another disappointing course.
All in all, La Thai is a refreshing, pleasant place to visit and their presentations are phenomenal. Unfortunately, the food fails to match the atmosphere. Will I return? Probably so. Only next time, with lower expectations.
No comments:
Post a Comment