Giving Sripaphai another shot...what to order then?
Hope it's something that you've eaten recently. Not something you've eaten way back. I want to see for myself if, the place really makes the grade and not going downhill as some of your replies were implying.
Spice
May 23, 2003 02:44AM
The curries are generally strong, particularly if you like spicy. I have never asked for mild so I don't know how that might affect the balance of flavors. As astoriaboy mentions, southern curry can be exceptionally spicy. He didn't mention the heat level he asked for.
Fried watercress has been excellent 8 out of 9 times. One time there was a problem which leads to what may be one of the weaknesses of Scrpraphai: frying and the oil. I have had dishes where it seemed that the frying oil was past it's prime. At least a couple of times it was late on a Friday or Saturday night, so at the end of a long busy day.
wray
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the volume on my southern curry was turned up all the way, wray...it was some pretty powerful stuff...i like spicy food -- usually, more so than the next guy...but, i find that life provides enough challenges...i don't need my food to be one of them...
one thing i would definitely recomend to spice, as he/she commendably and wisely gives sripraphai another shot, is the kao soy (curried egg noodles)...the poster here on chowhound that turned me on to this dish referred to it as "absurdly delicious" -- how true, how true...such a symphony of flavors and textures -- i can't ever resist ordering it...
there's something you need to keep in mind, though...they don't give it to you very spicy...you need to spice it up, yourself...for takeout, they are always sure to provide a little container of red pepper flakes...
another thing to consider...i've found that the subtleties of the kao soy are lost, a little, when you have it after a very spicy curry dish...but, not to worry...if you've had something powerful and the kao soy seems a little wishy-washy in comparison, don't waste it...pack it up and save it -- the stuff, imo, tastes even better, the next day...
dominick
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The kao soy noodle dish somehow hasn't come to my attention before. Sounds like something I should try the next time I am nearby but not in the mood for Thai spicy.
And full throttle heat, like comes with the southern curry, though I can enjoy it, is not something I would eat everytime.
cheers,
wray
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definitely, wray...i find the kao soy rather delightful...when you order it, you'll have your choice of meat...i always get the chicken...
and, if you order it take-out, be prepared to mix the various components together, yourself...they give you the egg noodles, curry, sour pickles, chili flakes, et al, seperately -- for the sake of optimal enjoyment...
the care that they take at sripraphai, to ensure that their take-out food is the best it can be, particularly impresses me...
dominick
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Yeah, every so often the fried watercress salad will be really mushy, obviously a frying problem.
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fried watercess salad
jungle curry
fried catfish salad
any dish with bbq pork or grilled beef
green curry w/ duck
papaya salad
flat noodles w/ chili basil and ground beef
pork shoulder curry
raw shrimp w/ chilis or naked shrimp
shrimp with fish cury
any of the spicy catfish dishes
sticky and coconut rice
i have been going there for years and the food is the same as ever. its good well flavored authentic thai food. it surely has not gone down hill. Hope it "makes the grade with you."
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Penang curry is very good at Sripraphai, better than I've had anywhere else. So thick and so full of complex flavors. Get an order of sticky rice and an order of coconut rice with it. They're both great.
BBQ beef appetizer is great, as well. Wonderful smoky flavors. I think the papaya salad goes well with it.
For dessert, banana sticky rice.
A lot of posts suggest that the beauty of Sripraphai is that you can explore beyond the standard Thai dishes that you can get at other Thai restaurants. I agree, but the basics I mentioned above are done especially well here. If you want confirmation that this is a place worth exploring, this meal should do it.
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