A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with this
food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might order that
won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.

Pat wrote on Tue, 7 Mar 2006 12:05:23 -0500:

PiA> A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are
PiA> familiar with this food and would appreciate any
PiA> suggestions of something we might order that won't be too
PiA> strange for a couple of newcomers.

I believe that in Thailand portions tend to be small and two
dishes a person and perhaps an appetizer would be appropriate
but portions in the US can be too large for that. As a first
experience, you two might share an appetizer like satai chicken
and two (or three) dishes to eat family style. I also understand
that a curry is normally one choice in such family meals in
Thailand. You might also want to have the delicious and
classically Thai, Pad Thai (noodles). Lemon grass soup is
another good starter and Buddhist vegetables are a good part of
the main meal. They will usually supply rice without asking but
you will need some.

There isn't much in Thai food that I dislike but should choose
dishes from different sections of the menu and watch out for the
common hotness indicators. IMHO, the heat symbols are a bit
alarmist but not everyone would agree. If you become
enthusiastic, one delicious dish is deep-fried whole flounder.

James Silverton.

"James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.net> wrote:
> Pat wrote on Tue, 7 Mar 2006 12:05:23 -0500:
>
> PiA> A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are
> PiA> familiar with this food and would appreciate any
> PiA> suggestions of something we might order that won't be too
> PiA> strange for a couple of newcomers.
>
> I believe that in Thailand portions tend to be small and two
> dishes a person and perhaps an appetizer would be appropriate
> but portions in the US can be too large for that. As a first
> experience, you two might share an appetizer like satai chicken
> and two (or three) dishes to eat family style. I also understand
> that a curry is normally one choice in such family meals in
> Thailand. You might also want to have the delicious and
> classically Thai, Pad Thai (noodles). Lemon grass soup is
> another good starter and Buddhist vegetables are a good part of
> the main meal. They will usually supply rice without asking but
> you will need some.
>
> There isn't much in Thai food that I dislike but should choose
> dishes from different sections of the menu and watch out for the
> common hotness indicators. IMHO, the heat symbols are a bit
> alarmist but not everyone would agree. If you become
> enthusiastic, one delicious dish is deep-fried whole flounder.
>
I am married to a Thai lady, so I eat a lot of Thai food. My experience has
been that there are two kinds of Thai restaurants in America. "Real Thai"
and "American Thai". My recommendation: avoid "American Thai"! If you've
found a place that has Thai customers and where the waitstaff has trouble
with English, you're in the right place! Do you like spicey food? Most (but
not all) Thai food is spicey by American standards. As James has suggested,
Thai food is traditionally a family affair. Tell them you've never had Thai
food and whether you like spicey food or not. Ask them if they have a
Sampler Meal. For a mild menu for 6 to 8 people, it might be Won Ton Soup,
Stuffed Chicken Wings, Sweet & Sour Pork, Beef with Oyster Sauce, Cashew
Chicken, Deep-fried Vegetables and a Green Salad (all with rice, of
course). Believe me, if you are humble in your approach, you will be more
than satisfied with the results.

You know what to do to e-mail me.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled War on Terror Veterans and
their families:
http://saluteheroes.org/ & http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote in message
news
> A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with this
> food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might order that
> won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
>
>

Ask the staff. Tell them your chilli tolerance and ask them to pick a range
of dishes that the chef is proud of that would be suitable for Thai virgins.
If the chef isn't proud of anything or the staff have no idea don't eat
there.

David

David Hare-Scott wrote:
> Ask the staff. Tell them your chilli tolerance and ask them to pick a range
> of dishes that the chef is proud of that would be suitable for Thai virgins.
> If the chef isn't proud of anything or the staff have no idea don't eat
> there.

Agreed.
As most Thai food is cooked to order, if you are afraid of chillies you can
actually specify "mai prik" meaning "no chillies" with your order.

Thai food in Thailand is very different to restaurants outside Thailand. The
virst time I visited Thailand I stayed with an ex-pat who didn't have
cooking facilities at his home. Therefore we ate out in small local Thai
places the whole month.

Many of the restaurants were the "point and hope" variety with ready-made
vats of curry and other dishes, served up on a bed of rice. "Hope" meaning
hope it's not too fiery to eat...

I actually lost about 14 pounds in that month - a lot of the food really was
literally too hot to eat. I used to love curries and fiery food before, but
it burned me out.

The second time I visited my friend had married a Thai lady who did the
cooking, and toned down a lot of it specially for me. I gained 14 pounds
that time!

Traditionally, if two or three people were sitting down to a thai meal at
home, each person would be presented with a large bowl of rice - the main
part of the meal in Thai tradition, everything else being merely
"flavouring". To signify that, if you are eating with a Thai family or
friends, good Thai table manners indicates you take a small mouthful of your
rice *before* serving yourself with anything else, because you understand
the rice is the main part.

There would be four dishes of other kinds on the table - perhaps a curry, a
soup, a vegetable dish and a "novelty", probably something like fried eggs
or steamed shellfish. Each diner takes a small amount of one of these dishes
to put on the rice, eats that, then helps themselves to more.

Unfortunately most Thai restaurants subscribe to the western idea of "one
dish per person", so unless you specify you want to dine Thai style you will
be limited to one dish plus rice - probably too generous a portion (and too
pricey) to order more unless you are in a large party of diners.

"Starters" in Thai restaurants often comprise the foods one would get on
roadside stalls in Thailand - great snacks and also great fun to eat there.
I have never tried it yet but I wonder one day, I might go to a Thai
restaurant and order *just* snacks and beer, just as one might in a bar in
Thailand.

Noodle dishes are a popular lunchtime meal, and the only food eaten with
chopsticks in Thailand since the King introduced forks and spoons in the
1940's! Knives are never seen on a thai dinner table, and unnecessary
anyway. Use your spoon in your right hand to eat - use the fork in your
left but only to load the spoon - putting your fork in your mouth is as
frowned upon as putting you knife in your mouth at western dinner tables!

Sorry have rambled on a bit - enjoy your first Thai meal and don't forget to
say "Aroy!" if it's delicious!

EastneyEnder wrote on Wed, 08 Mar 2006 12:18:24 G

>>>>>>>..Considerable clipping of previous good advice<<<<<<<<<

E> David Hare-Scott wrote:
??>> Ask the staff. Tell them your chilli tolerance and ask
??>> them to pick a range of dishes that the chef is proud of
??>> that would be suitable for Thai virgins. If the chef isn't
??>> proud of anything or the staff have no idea don't
??>> eat there.



E> There would be four dishes of other kinds on the table -
E> perhaps a curry, a soup, a vegetable dish and a "novelty",
E> probably something like fried eggs or steamed shellfish.
E> Noodle dishes are a popular lunchtime meal, and the only
E> food eaten with chopsticks in Thailand since the King
E> introduced forks and spoons in the 1940's! Knives are never
E> seen on a thai dinner table, and unnecessary anyway. Use
E> your spoon in your right hand to eat - use the fork in your
E> left but only to load the spoon - putting your fork in your
E> mouth is as frowned upon as putting you knife in your mouth
E> at western dinner tables!

I am *not* an expert on Thai food, I just like it a lot and I
think all the previous advice, not just that I am quoting,
should be very useful. As mentioned, you would be well to ask
about hotness, especially since the most authentic places where
"the waiters have trouble with English" may not indicate how
spicy things are.

I was also interested in the comment about the usual utensils
being spoon and fork. I had always been told this was the case
but it is surprising how many Westerners ask for chopsticks
whatever they are eating and I have gotten into several friendly
arguments about it. Some places, including Duangrat's, maybe
the best Thai restaurant in my area, have given up while the
rather fusion Tara Thai chain still seems to make people ask.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland.

Pat in Atlanta wrote:

> A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with this
> food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might order that
> won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
>
>

Chicken satay is a nice appetizer that it not very hot, usually.

Pad Thai (which I like best with shrimp) is usually not too spicy as
served, and you can add more red pepper if you want it.

Actually, now that I think of it, just ask the staff -they will probaly
take account of your spice preferences anyway. Just experiment. Thai
food is extremely popular now, with a huge number of new thai
restaurants opening all the time across the country. I doubt that you
could order anything that you really would not like.

I used to know all the Thai places around here (fairfax, va), but I can
no longer keep up.

Have fun,

ian

Thanks for the recommendations. However, I decided not to try the Thai food
as the cheapest entree on the menu was $13.

"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote in message
news
> A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with this
> food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might order that
> won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
>
>

"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote:
> Thanks for the recommendations. However, I decided not to try the Thai
> food as the cheapest entree on the menu was $13.
>
> "Pat in Atlanta" > wrote in message
> news
> > A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with
> > this food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might
> > order that won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
> >
Wow! That must be a VERY upscale restaurant. Find a small place frequented
by Thais. Appetizers, soups, curries, salads, entrees or rice dishes only
should run you $6 to $12 each, with most being on the lower side. Order one
from each category for the table. Total one per person, or more depending
on your appetite, and share. Two people, one appetizer,one entree. You'll
like Thai food, but be sure to let them know it's your first time, they
might have a family dinner. Also, let them know how hot (spicey) you want
it. If you like it, tell them "Aroy!" (delicious). ENJOY!

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

It's a small restaurant in a strip shopping center. It is certainly not
upscale.

> wrote in message
...
> "Pat in Atlanta" > wrote:
> > Thanks for the recommendations. However, I decided not to try the Thai
> > food as the cheapest entree on the menu was $13.
> >
> > "Pat in Atlanta" > wrote in message
> > news
> > > A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with
> > > this food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might
> > > order that won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
> > >
> Wow! That must be a VERY upscale restaurant. Find a small place frequented
> by Thais. Appetizers, soups, curries, salads, entrees or rice dishes only
> should run you $6 to $12 each, with most being on the lower side. Order
one
> from each category for the table. Total one per person, or more depending
> on your appetite, and share. Two people, one appetizer,one entree. You'll
> like Thai food, but be sure to let them know it's your first time, they
> might have a family dinner. Also, let them know how hot (spicey) you want
> it. If you like it, tell them "Aroy!" (delicious). ENJOY!
>
> --
> Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
>
> Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! !
!

"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote:
> It's a small restaurant in a strip shopping center. It is certainly not
> upscale.
>
> > wrote in message
> > "Pat in Atlanta" > wrote:
> > > Thanks for the recommendations. However, I decided not to try the
> > > Thai food as the cheapest entree on the menu was $13.
> > >
> > Wow! That must be a VERY upscale restaurant.

Well, in my humble experience, their prices are.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!

Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! ! !

Pat in Atlanta wrote:

> It's a small restaurant in a strip shopping center. It is certainly not
> upscale.
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote:
>>
>>>Thanks for the recommendations. However, I decided not to try the Thai
>>>food as the cheapest entree on the menu was $13.
>>>
>>>"Pat in Atlanta" > wrote in message
>>>news >>>
>>>>A Thai restaurant had opened nearby. Neither of us are familiar with
>>>>this food and would appreciate any suggestions of something we might
>>>>order that won't be too strange for a couple of newcomers.
>>>>
>>
>>Wow! That must be a VERY upscale restaurant. Find a small place frequented
>>by Thais. Appetizers, soups, curries, salads, entrees or rice dishes only
>>should run you $6 to $12 each, with most being on the lower side. Order
>
> one
>
>>from each category for the table. Total one per person, or more depending
>>on your appetite, and share. Two people, one appetizer,one entree. You'll
>>like Thai food, but be sure to let them know it's your first time, they
>>might have a family dinner. Also, let them know how hot (spicey) you want
>>it. If you like it, tell them "Aroy!" (delicious). ENJOY!
>>
>>--
>>Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
>>
>>Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not forgotten. Thanks ! !
>
> !
>
>


Try them at lunch time - the portions and the prices are usually smaller
& lower then.

Ian