@Thai Recipe

Sometimes you get busy at work and you need to make plans to go out to lunch. Jim emailed me and asked about the new Thai place on Mission Street. It was a Thai place before, but now had reopened with a new name. Let's check it out!

@Thai Recipe

It's right on the intersection with Mission and Younglove, so be wary driving into or out of the small parking lot. Maybe parking at Safeway and walking across would be better?

It's tiny inside with only a dozen tables. You can see into the kitchen from most seats and I kind of liked that. Made it seem more cozy. The hostess/server showed us a table and gave us menus. All the Thai classics were on there - curry, Phad Thai, Egg Rolls, Satay, Crab Lagoon, soups, salads; even duck  and seafood dishes. We spied the lunch specials - $7.95 for one item with soup or salad or $9.95 for one item, soup/salad and an appetizer. We were hungry, so we got the latter.

Okay, the water glasses were made in 7th grade Home Ec class, but the soup was dynamite. It was Tom Yum, a spicy and sour soup with zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, tomato, green onions and cilantro. We both liked it a lot - full of flavor, not too spicy.

Jim got the Phad Thai with egg rolls. He said it was good, but the noodles were on the mushy side. And the shrimp and chicken was less than abundant. One thing that bugged me was the plastic container for the sauce. I kind of think a sit-down restaurant shouldn't use those, right?

I got the Red Curry with brown rice and Chicken Satay. Again with the plastic cup! Our server didn't ask how hot to make the curry like other places do, so this was sadly without any heat. Not that I want it like lava, but a little kick is welcome. The tofu and veggies were cooked well and the rice was good too. For $2 more, you get like half an appetizer, which I guess is a good deal. Seemed on the small side though.

I am ranking @Thai as the third best Thai place on the Westside, behind Thai Orchid and Sabieng. I seem to remember the Noodle House here before was better. The service was good and the place was clean and cozy, but the food just wasn't doing it for us.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 4
Service: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Value for price: 5
Overall: 5.50

Kao Sook Thai

It's been awhile since I wrote up a restaurant review - sometimes life can get in the way of what you like to do. Some friends of mine have been going through some tough times, so I dedicate this blog entry to them. When the going gets tough, the tough go out for Thai food!

Website

I have been to some good Thai places all over town like Sabieng, Thai Orchid and Sawasdee, so I like to think of myself as an expert. This place in Scotts Valley is small and hidden in a strip mall across from the Kings Village shopping center. Is it worth it to search out?

My dining companion was excited to try it too. You walk in and it's one big room with tables and the kitchen in the back. I liked the decorations they had at the front.

We started with a traditional Thai appetizer, Chicken Satay ($7.25) and what a feast for the eyes! I love those grill marks on the chicken, which was cooked through and still juicy (not dry). The peanut sauce had a nice zing to it and I think I hogged all the cucumber onion salad. It was a great way to start out meal.

Next up, Tom Kha or coconut milk soup ($9.95). There were lots of chicken, mushrooms and onions all floating around the bowls. The soup serving bowl is so cool with its volcano-like tower and the Sterno flame underneath. We wisely put aside the pieces of lemongrass - too tough to eat, but gave a nice flavor.

Our main dish was the Pumpkin Curry ($11.45), which was served in a neat fish-shaped bowl. The blue trim and the orange sauce made for another visual pleasure. There were very generous portions of beef and veggies including the nice chunks of pumpkin. As a curry, I was expecting more of a punch, but I didn't specify any hotness. Still, the flavors were good and not too sweet. My guest said she liked it too.

We also got the Chicken Fried Rice ($5.95) to go with the curry. It too had generous pieces of chicken and chopped veggies. The rice was cooked just right, not too sticky or dry, but the chicken itself was plain. I would have preferred it grilled or better seasoned. Still, it was fresh and not dry at all, but I'll rate it as average.

I need to mention our smiling server who made us feel right at home. It's funny how a smile can make you feel welcome and our waiter certainly did. He was always available and seemed proud to deliver to us all the delicious food.

Kao Sook is truly a good place to eat. I would include it with the other good Thai places I mentioned above.

Scores out of 10:
Food: 8
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Value for price: 7
Overall: 7.50