Restaurant Review: Thai Kitchen in Maryland Hights

Dear Foodies,

A few days ago, one of the men from my church took me out for Thai food. To the Thai Kitchen.

(quick note...)

You may not know this yet, but I am a hot food guy. Not hot as in heat, but hot like spicy. Thai food (or at least what I had) is served hot. As in heated. But it is hot as in taste too. And, it's not spicy hot. It's just HOT!

I. Just. Can't. Figure. It. Out. Period. And it's SO good! I love it!

How can they do that?!?

(OK. Here is my review.)

I had Pad Khi Mao. (Otherwise know as Spicy Noodle.) It was composed of a wide rice noodle, with chicken, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and green beans. Now the coolest thing about this dish was the green beans. They were almost completely uncooked. It added this "crunch" to an otherwise soft dish. Really liked that. Then there were all sorts of spices which I couldn't identify.

Mr. H. (incidentally Mrs. H's husband...) had a Grilled Pepper Chicken. He let me try a little. Pretty tasty. I'll have to get that the next time I go in.

The waiters were friendly. And the service was fast. Very fast. We sat down, and ordered. 5 minutes later we were having lunch. Pretty low traffic, although many other reviewers say that it is really hopping sometimes.

OK. Now I have to do the negatives. Not my favorite part.

There was a TV. I was facing the opposite direction, so I didn't have to look at it. But Mr. H did.

Presentation was pretty good, but didn't quite cut it.

Now my IDEAS!

This is a new feature. I was laying in bed last night thinking about this post, when I had an idea. Why not include in my critique ideas on how the restaurant could improve? So here you go. My ideas, and why.

1. All of the wait staff could wear traditional Thai clothing.

This would make the atmosphere so much cooler. I mean, imagine going out to a totally authentic restaurant. Not just authentic food, but authentic everything! You could do tables on the floor, and sit on little cushions. All of that stuff.

2. Move the kitchen to the center of the room.

This is so powerful. When you move the kitchen to the center of the restaurant, the guest change from customers, to an audience.

3. Get rid of the TV.

Maybe I'm just a luddite, but having a TV in a restaurant just doesn't feel right. (Wow. That almost rhymes...) I would rather have a conversation, or even just focus on the food. (Novel thought for me : )

Alright there you have it. Hope some of you foodies will be able to check out this place sometime.

Benjamin Serven, Foodie