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A Visit to Thai Kitchen
A Thai Restaurant With Wine!

Okay...how many times have you wanted wine in an oriental restaurant and been greeted with the options of "Chardonnay or Cabernet"...typically served in tiny, inexpensive, 4" tall wine glasses, filled to the brim and served either at a near freezing temperature or near 80 degrees, because the box had been stored in the kitchen. Many Chinese, Japanese and Thai restaurants pay little attention to the wine (a notable exception being Shanghai Lil and the boring, large national chains). Imagine our surprise when we discovered Thai Kitchen in Fishers, who not only serve authentic and outstanding Thai cuisine, but have a very respectable wine list, and serve their wine not only at proper temperatures, but in proper stemware.

Our first encounter was a "Google" find of the closest Thai restaurant when we were really in the mood for Pad Thai on a Sunday afternoon. Thai Kitchen popped up on Linda's iPhone and we gave it a try. Although they occupy a reasonably typical strip center location, the interior is elegantly finished and they possess a good sized, refined outside seating area, complete with an awning and rolling shade that nicely blocked the late afternoon western sun.

When we passed the wine racks lining the back wall of the restaurant as we walked to the outside seating, I was shocked to see Stag's Leap Cabernet and Peter Lehmann Shiraz in the racks, having already resigned myself to drinking Thai beer. The menu is extensive, comprised of over 72 selections, including 14 appetizers, 8 salads and soups, noodles, fried rice and 35 entrees. We kept it simple....and started with crab Rangoon that featured real crab meat, cream cheese and onions in a crisp wonton wrap...perhaps amongst the best we've ever had (apologies to Shanghai Lil).

We had come for a Pad Thai fix, and while Linda kept to the program, I succumbed to a Thai Cashew Chicken Stir Fry, both of which were excellent....we shared. The Pad Thai was perhaps not as spicy as I usually expect (ordered at medium heat), but they easily remedied that by providing a trio of little pots of spice mixtures that will really allow you to hurt yourself. But, the spice was nicely cooled by the bottle of refreshing King Estates Acrobat Oregon Pinot Gris we were enjoying ($31 on the list, $13 at the store)...not that the price bothered us, since we were drinking nice wine in first rate glasses in a place we didn't expect it. The wine list included 24 selections, from New Zealand Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc at $29 to Stag's Leap Napa Cabernet at $69, with almost half of the list available by the glass, mostly at $7 and $8 dollars.

Our second visit a few weeks later was for dinner, and again, they didn't disappoint. We chose Shrimp Blankets to start, and enjoyed the crispy spring roll wrappers surrounding the tender shrimp, served with a light, clear, sweet sauce filled with red pepper flakes and crushed bits of cashews. A bottle of Peter Lehmann Shiraz, again well served, accompanied our dinner choices. Fighting the urge to order Pad Thai again, Linda chose Laad Narth - flat rice noodles with chicken, mushrooms, broccoli and carrots, and a tasty, rich sauce. However, I think I picked the more interesting dish...a roasted duck curry, made with coconut milk, tomatoes, bamboo shoots, pineapple, red bell pepper and fresh basil leaves. Served with white rice and a liberal application of their mildest spice blend, it was incredibly tasty, and even better the next day for lunch.

The pricing is reasonable with appetizers from $5.95 to $7.99, soups and salads from $7.95 to $11.95 and entrees from $10.95 to $15.95. This is Thai dining with a sophisticated edge and nice wine.

Thai Kitchen

11021 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
(317) 348-2658
http://www.thaikitchenrestaurant.com/

September 5, 2012