Thai Lotus

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Description:

"Pad Thai -- check. Tom kha gai -- check. Really affordable lunch combos (complete with spring roll and peanut dressing-laced iceberg salad) -- check. At face value, the latest eatery on 500 south has what every other Thai restaurant seems to have, including a peaceful space dotted with handicrafts, a native soundtrack, and friendly servers. After the first forkful, however, it's obvious that there's something different in the slick, glossy noodles and irresistable coconut custard. Depth of flavor exists even in the sweetest of authentic Massaman curries. Redolent of roasted peanuts, tender chunks of beef and potatoes get a new life in what we imagine is the closest thing to Thai beef stew. Even better with it is a sprinkling of fish sauce spiked with sliced fresh chiles, available in the condiment caddy that also carries dried roasted chile powder, sriracha, and sugar.

Check out the chef's specials. A stir-fry of tender greens (like Chinese broccoli) and cruncy bacon chunks over jasmine rice is our favorite. You can alter the heat to your liking. But if it gets too much, consider ending with the dense coconut custard topped with the namesake lotus root and seeds; both candied, and powerfully sweet enough to exterminate any flames."

Adam Finkle :: Salt Lake Magazine

Reservations:

no