Thai Food Jackpot, Salt Lake City

On a recent trip to Salt Lake City, a colleague and I hit the Thai food jackpot at Simply Thai Restaurant (http://simplythaiutah.com/) in the southern suburbs of Salt Lake City. My colleague and I both enjoy Thai food, although he is much more knowledgeable than me. On the basis of Internet reviews, he identified Simply Thai as a good possibility. It turned out to be fantastic.

We both felt that it was the best Thai food we'd ever had in the U.S. It was so good that we returned the next evening. The second experience was every bit as good as the first.

Our initial impression when we walked into the restaurant made us wonder how much Thai influence there was. There was not the slightest hint of Thai ethnicity among the staff we saw.

Our misgivings were soon dismissed when we tasted our first course - two different soups. He had Tom Yum - spicy hot and sour soup with mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, red and green bell peppers, baby corn, lemon grass, and spicy lemon sauce. He asked that they make it extra spicy. He is normally disappointed when he makes that request. This time, he was not. He said that it was the best Tom Yum he had ever had. He ordered it again when we returned the following evening. This soup can be ordered with chicken or tofu. A cup is $3.95, and a bowl, which serves 2-4 people, is $11.95.

I had Tom Kha - creamy coconut soup with sliced chicken breast, galangal (Southeast Asian ginger), mushrooms, onions, cilantro, red and green bell peppers, baby corn, and lime sauce. I asked that prawns be substituted for the chicken. I love Tom Kha. This was by far the best I have ever had. In addition to the wonderful taste of the soup, the prawns were terrific. I ordered it again the following night. The prices for this soup were the same as those of the Tom Yum.

My colleague's entrée the first night was Pad Gra Tiem Pik Thai - stir-fried meat in garlic and black pepper with carrots, onions, and bell peppers for $12.95. He substituted tofu for the meat. He had the highest praise for this dish.

On the first night, I chose Pad Him Ma Parn - stir fried meat with onions, bell peppers, carrots, scallions, celery, and pineapple for $12.95. I chose beef as the meat. It was fantastic.

Both entrées were served with as much rice as we wanted.

The second night, my colleague's entrée was Gang Massaman, a Thai curry with beef or chicken, coconut milk, potatoes, and roasted cashews for $13.95. He substituted tofu for the beef or chicken. He also asked that the dish be made very spicy hot. It was. He is very familiar with this dish and prepares it at home. He considered it among the best he'd ever had.

My entrée was Ghang Khua Sub Parod Thai, a mild Thai pineapple curry with red curry, coconut milk, pineapple, carrots, bell peppers, Thai basil, baby corn, onions, and cashews for $14.95. As you might expect from the other dishes, this one was terrific as well.

The owner, a woman of Thai origin, was very sweet and very solicitous of her customers. She emphasized that she does not use MSG in her cuisine.

When we were effusive in our praise of her food, she offered us both homemade Thai coconut milk ice cream for dessert. My colleague was too full to try it, but I did. It was very nice.

We had different servers each night. Both of them did an excellent job.

Simply Thai is located in a strip mall at 37 West 10600 south, Sandy UT. The lunch and dinner menus are both available on the web site above.

Always Tasty Thai at Bangkok, Sarasota

Last night, my wife, our grandchildren, and I had a Thai dinner at Bangkok restaurant in Sarasota. (http://bangkoksarasota.com/)

The food is always wonderful at Bangkok, and the atmosphere is very nice. Since it is very popular, I recommend reservations.

Everyone except me had one course. I also had soup.

The soup I chose was a cup of Tom Kha: two shrimp simmered in coconut broth with lime, straw mushrooms, mild yellow onions, sweet bell peppers, lemon grass, galanga root, scallions and magrut leaves. It was fantastic as always.

My grandaughter had her usual Bangkok entrée - Pad Thai Tofu: Thin rice noodles stir-fried with firm tofu, egg, fresh crisp bean sprouts, crushed roasted peanuts and green onions. She loved it. It was $10.49.

My grandson had chicken satay with steamded rice and two sauces for $6.49. He enjoyed it.

My wife really enjoyed her shrimp Pad Khing - Stiry fry flavored with sliced fresh ginger root, mild yellow onions and green onions, sweet red and green bell peppers, crisp carrots, and black mushrooms. It was $12.49.

I loved my Untouchable Fried Rice - Steamed Jasmine rice stir-fried with eggs, mild yellow onions and green onions, baby green peas, baby carrots, tomatoes and fresh basil leaves all tossed with a blend of Thai herbs and spices, topped with cool cucumber slices. It was $10.49.

Our wine was one we usually order at Bangkok because it goes well with Thai food - 2009 Neil Ellis South African Sauvignon Blanc for $26.

Address: 4791 Swift Road
Phone: 941-922-0703

A Wonderful Thai Birthday Dinner, Sarasota

Last night, the family celebrated a birthday dinner at Bangkok Restaurant, a terrific Thai restaurant in Sarasota (http://www.bangkoksarasota.com/). Every meal we've had there has been delicious. While there are other nice Thai restaurants in town, none has the atmosphere of Bangkok.

The birthday girl and her mother both had Pad Thai, which they enjoyed very much.

My wife had Pad Khing with beef, a stir fry dish with ginger root, green and yellow onions, red & green bell peppers, carrots, and black mushrooms. She loved this dish and has ordered it at Bangkok before.

Our grandson, not a big eater, had chicken satay.

Our son had a curry dish, which was tasty.

Our daughter emjoyed Tofu Pad Thai.

I had:
- Tom Kha Soup with shrimp for $3.50. The soup had coconut broth with lime, straw mushrooms, yellow onions, sweet bell peppers, lemon grass, galanga root, scallions, and magrut leaves.
- Pad Woon Sen with beef for $10.49. The dish had thin bean thread noodles with egg, yellow onions and green onions, carrots, snow peas, broccoli, celery, bean sprouts, baby corn, and black mushrooms.

Both of my dishes were terrific.

The wine my wife and I shared was a South African Sauvignon Blanc called Sincerely by Neil Ellis for about $27. We had this wine at Bangkok the previous time we dined there. It goes very nicely with Thai food.

Reservations are recommended because this restaurant is very popular.

The restaurant is located at 4791 Swift Rd., Sarasota. Phone 941-922-0703.