I've been encouraged to try this place by multiple friends and family members for the past year or…read moreso. My response was always a quick, "no thanks, I don't care for Thai food." Today, my daughter wanted to go to lunch, and I said to her..."you choose." She didn't want to choose because we're both so picky, but for different reasons. She's more food adventurous. I am not. As we're driving, I see this place, and I know she loves it, and I say .. "hey, what about this Thai place? I am SURE I'll find something to eat. " So we decide to do it, and we wheel into the Thai restaurant.
She orders the Tom Yum Soup with Tofu, and the Papaya Salad, some Thai beef Jerky, and some crab rangoon, along with a Ginger Tea. I order the ginger chicken with Jasmine Rice, and some Butterfly Pea Tea. I was determined to make my daughter proud by trying really hard to give her favorite Thai food a legitimate chance today. So I sampled everything we ordered.
The Tom Yum Soup she ordered?.... People, it was beyond delicious.!!! Fresh, perfectly prepared vegetables, in a delicious, flavorful broth, seasoned on point with hints of lemongrass and other fresh herbs. This soup is divine!
The papaya salad, which I could not envision, is green papaya slivers with carrot, ginger and served on a bed of fresh salad greens and topped with a few roasted peanuts, was arguably the best salad I've ever had in my life. Yep. The best. THE best. I cannot say strongly enough how much you need to TRY this salad. The dressing, is a perfect homemade blend which is light, and perfectly seasoned. This salad surpasses delicious, is refreshing, and truly is a "World Series"grand slam standout, in a world full of "little league" salads! I highly, no I mean, HIGHLY recommend.
The Crab Rangoon was the best I've ever had in my life. The wonton wrapper was very light, served hot, and stuffed with fluffy pillows of crab Rangoon inside. A very light, vinegar based, slightly sweet, sauce was served for dipping. (chef's kiss!). I made a second order it was so good. THE best crab rangoon I have EVER tasted. And I mean EVER. And I'm OLD!
My ginger chicken was delicious. Just delicious. I ate every bite. With the Jasmine rice. And I detest Jasmine rice. But at this restaurant? They've changed my mind. I mean I usually experience an immediate gag reflex when I SMELL Jasmine rice. Not today, folks. Not today. Jasmine yes! Overpowering odor of Jasmine blooms? Nope. Perfect. And delicious with my ginger chicken.
I only tried a bite of the DAUGHTER's Thai Beef Jerky, but it was also on point! The Ginger Tea and the Butterfly Pea Teas were absolutely phenomenal.
It has been EONS since I tried a new place AND loved it so much. The restaurant is very clean, the service is excellent, the food fresh and hot, and is beyond delicious. Food is all homemade, from scratch, not frozen , over processed garbage. I think I figured out why I've never liked Thai food before. The truth is, that I realized today, I had never really eaten any authentically, freshly prepared THAI FOOD.
Go try for yourself. Worth a trip from Jacksonville or Lake City for authentic, fresh, Thai food. And the sweetest people you'll ever meet. oh what I've been missing this past year! Go! And prepare to have your mind blown! Mine certainly was today!