SIAM THAI
Neighbourhood .......... St . Vital Address ...... 587 St Anne ’ s Road Phone .............. 204-254-7765 Entrées .................... $ 15- $ 20
Siam Thai opened long before Thai food became the takeout staple it is today , yet entering its revamped interior , one may be more likely to mistake it for a newcomer to the city ’ s food scene .
The eatery enters an open concept hallway to the end of the room where a friendly greeting initiates seating . An ink-coloured wall blooming with enormous pink lotus flowers and strokes of gold enlivens the entire space with a marvelously modern vibe .
Though the surroundings are new , the authentic , unpretentious food is familiar . Chef Sumruoy Poomrat presides over the kitchen , cooking time-honoured recipes . As someone who learned from a chef of the king of Thailand , Chef Sumruoy clearly values the process . Every dish captures the essence of Thai cuisine , and its famous harmony of spicy , sweet , salty and sour .
An abundance of flavours come out of Southeast Asia – with kaffir lime , coriander and no shortage of fish sauce . Specialties vary from region to region and draw inspiration from neighbouring countries . From southern massaman curry to the north ’ s khao soi . Expect the full gamut of flavors in every dish .
Blending exotic and familiar is one of the secrets to Siam Thai ’ s popularity . The approachable menu adopts the western convention of categorizing menu items , easing introduction ciao ! reviews
for non-Thai patrons . While curries are the go-to for many Thai seeking diners , there are dishes here beyond the staple that shouldn ’ t be missed .
Sublime appetizers whet the palate for a cultural adventure . Golden cups are an exquisite must . Tartlet wonton wrappers filled with minced cucumber , red and green pepper , cilantro , topped with poached shrimp , pop with freshness . Flavours of lime , mint and lemongrass punctuate each bite .
Vibrant herbs and fish sauce laced dressings add exciting depth to an assortment of greens . Venture beyond the pleasing tangle of tangy tart apple and find perky lettuce variations coated with piquancy . The first attention getting bites of Thai grilled prawn salad burst with lingering spice . Sharp shallots , coriander , mint and fiery Thai chiles magically lift lettuce to a new level , lending essential freshness to the sweet shrimp .
Rich coconut milk medleys of veggies and proteins define luxurious curries , which indeed are superb . A hint of spice lingers after salmon in a silky red curry , brimming with green beans , peppers , and zucchini , quenches the appetite . If seeking more heat , without cream opt for country style curry . A hefty bowl of chicken and veggies steeped in chili laced chicken broth soothes with fragrant lemongrass , kaffir leaves and coriander . Straight from Chang Mai , a bowl of Khao soi delights with every noodle slurped from gravy-thick coconut broth .
Even if there is merely a sliver of space left for dessert , novel choices have a way of tempting a sweet finish . Rum fried bananas topped with coconut ice cream make a laasting impression . Even during the dog days of summer , a taste of the tropics is a very good idea
CLAY OVEN
Neighbourhood ... Kenaston Common Address ..... 1600 Kenaston Blvd Phone ............. 204-888-2529 Entrées ..................... $ 19- $ 31
Indian cuisine offers a thrilling food experience reflecting magical combinations of spices used for generations . Yet exotic ingredients and unfamiliar sounding dishes can be just as intimidating as exciting . Dip beyond universally adored chicken tikka masala or butter chicken and discover a new language of southeast Asian cuisine . A little guidance from a helpful server , is all it takes to be rewarded with spicy , sour , sweet flavours at Clay Oven .
Learning the basic spices of this cuisine is a good start . Cumin , cardamom , coriander , turmeric and ginger connect a wide variety of diverse dishes across regions of the country . Many spices sprinkle health benefits with exciting flavours so go ahead and eat with gusto .
The restaurant ’ s three locations in the city each boast stylish digs that elevate the dining experience . Kenaston Common ’ s suburban strip mall locale opens into an espresso-coloured room sparkling from pendant lights above .
The menu touches multiple regions of India , notably recognizing tastes of the Hakka people , reflecting a fusion of Chinese and Indian flavours . Gleaming on a silver plate , garlic prawns are a standout appetizer . Large prawns are breaded and tossed in a sweet and slow burning sauce piqued with chilli .
Traditional Indian dishes are equally impressive . Chewy and
ciao ! / aug / sep / two thousand twenty-three 25