News-Journal Staff Writer Heather Scofield and her husband recently visited Thai by Thai in Palm Coast:
Where did you hear about this restaurant?
One of the things I love about working at a newspaper is being around people who don't think the world is fueled by people 3 feet tall with chocolate-covered faces and fingers. Without my co-workers, I might not know that any restaurant could exist without picky-eater staples like chicken fingers and fries. But thanks to a trendy friend in a nearby cubicle, I now know there's an awesome Thai restaurant not too far from my home.
What was it like?
The place was quiet, low key and full of culture -- with paintings of Thai-labeled peppers and spices adorning the walls. There were fewer than 20 tables in the small strip mall restaurant, about half of which were filled during our visit. And while the dining area was small, the restaurant had no shortage in staff for this Saturday night dinner service. It meant our glasses were always filled with soda and each of the three courses we ordered arrived hot and ready just as we were finishing the last.
So, how was the food?
Though my husband and I would typically share just a dinner plate at a place like this, we were celebrating on this night and went all out with an appetizer, two dinners and a dessert. The fried spring rolls were a great way to start off the night. The appetizer was what I'd call nothing less than yummy with its crisp cabbage, celery and mushrooms rolled together and deep fried, ready to dip in the deliciously sweet sauce served on the side. (We couldn't help but get in a final finger-lick sauce test before our waitress carried the plate away and replaced it with the first of our dinner entrees.)
For the main course, we ordered a plate of pad Krapaow<cm cq> and tried what they called the "Thai National Dish," pad Thai. We were allowed to choose between four levels of spiciness. We ordered the dishes "three peppers" -- or the spiciest they offer. The pad Krapaow was amazing. Given the choice of beef, chicken or pork, we went with the beef and were not disappointed. The meat was perfectly cooked and tender, as were the peppers, all of which was soaked in a deliciously spicy sauce and served with jasmine rice molded into the shape of two hearts.
And the pad Thai (with chicken, this time) was equally good. Though it had a unique flavor hiding behind the spice that this Midwestern girl couldn't identify if she tried. For dessert, we shared an order of Thai custard.Decidedly, it had to be one of the more unique desserts we've ever tried. Molded into a square, the custard had a wonderful rich flavor, but not so rich we couldn't clean the plate. Slices of cooked pumpkin gave the custard square interesting visual appeal, and the dessert was a great way to neutralize the spicy dinner plates we had just wolfed down.
Even the soda was high quality at this place. No poorly mixed fountain sodas are available here. They cracked open cans of soda right at the table and poured it over ice.
How much did your wallet hurt after all that?
I was in awe when the bill for our three-course Thai food extravaganza arrived with only a $30 price tag. (And yes, everything we ordered was on it!) Add to that the $7 tip I left for the great service and awesome eating experience, my wallet has been dented worse by nights out at greasy fast food joints.
Thai By Thai
WHERE: 124 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Palm Coast (in the Palm Harbor Shopping Center at the corner of Palm Coast Parkway NE and Old Kings Road)
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
MISC.: Major credit cards accepted. To-go orders available
PHONE: 386-446-0009
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