For date night on Friday, we decided to try a Thai restaurant close to our new digs in Washington state. After reading reviews of various local options, we decided on a budget-friendly, family-owned restaurant, Irene Thai Cuisine, in Woodinville, WA.
The service was friendly and fast, the restaurant ambience cozy. The decor could only be considered delightfully eclectic: a mix of rustic Thai thatching, photos of traditional and modern Thailand, colorful saltwater fish, hanging rain catchers for an indoor waterfall-like feature, sparkling knick-knacks, varnished bamboo wall coverings, and more modern granite countertops.
We decided to order spring rolls, which arrived piping hot, served with the house chili sauce. The rolls were delivered at the same time as one of the main dishes, since we elected to eat family style.
My husband lived for two years in Thailand some time back, so he knows his way around Thai cuisine. He selected Kuay Teaw Kua, a noodle dish with wide noodles, fried egg, vegetables, and oyster sauce. I selected my old stand-by, Massaman Curry... mild, just in case they season it per Thai taste. I was tempted to go medium, but I can always make it hotter.
The curry was pretty good flavor-wise--nutty, sweet, and slightly tangy--but the potatoes were slightly undercooked. I like potatoes to be firm, but melt in your mouth... not quite so crunchy. The potatoes made the curry a bit difficult to eat at the time, but I'm sure it's awesome the second day after it sits in rice overnight and is reheated, cooking the potatoes a bit more. In my experience, curry tastes much better the second day anyway...
The Kuay Teaw Kua, on the other hand, was spectacular! The flavors mixed together well, the dish was cooked just right. We both loved it! That was the shining star, and the reason we will go back. I am especially excited to try the Phad Se-ew, as that's generally a favorite for me, and the kitchen seems to do an especially good job with noodle dishes.
For dessert, we shared an order of black sticky rice, which was absolutely fabulous! Two thumbs way up! We fought over the last bite and wished we'd ordered two. Next time, maybe we will!
-Pineapple
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