"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.

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