VALENTINE’S DAY DINING CHOICE: THAI CUISINE

In keeping with my self-imposed theme of doing something out of the ordinary for Valentine’s Day I thought something out of this country would be more appropriate than your usual Valentine’s Day fare. Because seriously, nothing sends mixed messages like giving a lady a card that says “I Love You” and shouting, not whispering, your undying devotion to your love, while standing in line at the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Dining out in Utah has become a much more diverse and a gastronomically appealing prospect than it was just a decade ago. Though many who have never visited or know much about the Beehive State might find it hard to believe, Utah has a much more diverse population than our last census numbers reveal. That change in the demographic landscape of the State can be attributed to a number of contributing factors including the influx of corporations in a number of different industries who now call Utah home, the close proximity of its major colleges and universities and of course the large population of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who come from far and wide put down roots here in part because of the church’s headquarters here in Salt Lake City.

As its population becomes more diverse, the variations in cuisine become more disparate. As an avid, rabid fan of all types of Asian fare, I’ve narrowed my field of events in my own Palatal Olympics to region known as Southeast Asia.

I’ve highlighted in a previous post, my insatiable appetite for Vietnamese Pho. But to ensure that my dear Valentine knows that I’ve reserved a special place in my heart for her, I’ve carved out an exceptional spot for her in my heart right next to my disgraceful yearning for Thai food.

Located in the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, Thaifoon serves up American adaptations of Thai cuisine and an amalgamation of Asian cuisine that is suitable for those who are new to Thai recipes. For a true sampling of authentic Thai treats you’ll need to venture farther out of town to a little hole in the wall (actually I think it was once a Taco Bell or a Kentucky Fried Chicken in a previous life) to Mekong Café in Midvale (7725 South State Street). The service varies depending on the hour of the day but generally speaking it is decent. What is above average is the curry, the Pad Thai or the Spicy Pad-Ped. I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve eaten at Mekong but my experience has been nothing short of pleasant.

There are a dozen or so great Thai places throughout the Wasatch Front (from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south) but my new personal favorite is located in Lehi, a town just 27-miles from downtown Salt Lake. Thai House Cuisine is located in “Old Lehi” just off Main Street and 288 West in a quaint old building that may have been someone’s home back when Lehi was first established. There is limited seating and parking, but the interior is comfortable and the food is excellent. I have a very difficult time deciding which curry is my absolute favorite here because everything under that heading on the menu is heavenly. I’m salivating as I think of the Masman, the Pineapple and the Panang curries, but I can almost guarantee that if you’re a lover of curry, the green curry with thinly sliced pieces of beef and an assortment of vegetables keeps me going back for more. Of if prefer a salad you can’t go wrong with the Papaya Salad. And if your thing is noodles, try the Pad Se-Ew. Yummy!

Valentine’s Day is a holiday for lovers, so why not spend it eating something that you will love the moment it touches your tongue? Try it and you’ll agree Thai food in Utah will carve out a niche in your heart too.