Stupid_American

OOPS! I just found out that my wife does toss in a spoonful or 2 of her favorite, "Healthy Boy Brand, Soy Bean Paste, Formula #1"

My wife, Thai, uses "non-of-the-above" in her rad na. If you have it, use it; if you like it, ! Most Thai recipes have personal variations.

Parking is always a challenge in Thaitown. It will be much worse during Songkran. A Metrorail ride to the Hollywood/Western station would be a smart option.

I get the feeling that, here, posters are more interested in learning than "educating". In this case, I'll have to try Howards if I'm in the area. Places that are rated "great" and "terrible" fascinate me. In these cases, I've usually found the bad opinion based on something besides the food. Besides, diners, dives and greasy spoons, my true love!

One thing I've learned from Chowhounds.com is that I apparently have no taste. Of the 20 or so recommendations I've followed up from there, not one has been notable. Granted, I don't bother with the upscale trendy that's been reviewed to death, professionally, and dittoed endlessly over there. But, you'd think they'd score a hit on some real food from time to time!

Gustav promised himself he would retire by the time he was 60. Sunday is his birthday.

For a casual, early dinner (before 6pm), try Point Loma Seafoods, on Scott Street. If you like a good burger, there's a Boll Weevil, on Shelter Island Drive, just off Scott Street.

Thai New Year is April 13, 14 and 15. Wat Thai LA will be expanding their vendors for the celebration. Because the holiday falls midweek, they are going to also celebrate the preceeding weekend, April 10 and 11. There will be all the food offerings and many other Thai vendors. Also, prepeare for the possiblity of getting a little wet! Tossing water is a big part of the festivities in Thailand (but it's 95º there!). Because of the expected visitors, I was told that they will be running a shuttle from the Kaiser lot, corner of Cantara and Woodman. Wat Thai Los Angeles 8225 Cold Water Canyon Ave. North Hollywood

You can park in the residential area, behind the Wat. There's an entrance in the rear. Also, produce vendors are often selling stuff out back, streetside.

Bo's been doing some updating lately; he must have updated that link.

"B" ?

Issan is northern and eastern Thailand. The cuisine has heavy Lao influences. Kai yang (grilled chicken), somtam(papaya salad) and khao neow(sticky rice) is a classic Issan lunch. It also features other grilled meats, sausages and curries. One of the latest crazes is the khao soy metioned in the other post. It's a Chiang Mai thing. While in Bangkok, stop by MBK Center, at the National Stadium Skytrain Stop. They have a huge foodcourt on the 6th floor. It's a "tame" introduction to Thai hawker food. For a great dinner cruise, book #3, Riverside Bangkok's. For under 500 baht ($11), you'll have your fill of great food and a wonderful cruise. It's the only cruise that cooks food to order, on board. Drinks might set you back a little more. On the same webpage is Yok Yor Marina, #12. Here you will find great Thai/Chinese and a fantastic show, featuring traditional dance and martial arts. If you want a place that's nice, but not pretenious, try Anna's Cafe, 118 Soi Saladaeng, Silom. It's a bit of a "fusion" thing. Their desserts are great! Try the coconut ice cream with sweet sticky rice; simple but wonderful! The real beauty of Bangkok dining is that you really don't need to "know" the cuisine. The best food is always the hawker stalls that line the streets everywhere. They always cook what they cook best. Simply follow your nose. Like I said, hit MBK foodcourt first. After you realize that you can survive this type of food, hit the streets and sample the really great stuff. Have a blast!

The Thai-La site has quite a bit of "dated" information, possibly most notable, the Wat Thai LA Website link. The one given will land you on a Viagra pitch. This is the correct URL for the temple itself. The foodcourt is about as "real" as Thai food gets outside of Thailand. If you want an even better experience, plan on a Thai holiday, such as Songkran, Thai New Year, coming up April 13th through 15th (and possibly the weekend before or after?) I will try to find out if they plan to expand the foodcourt over either weekend.

Boll Weevil is actually a sit down place, featuring burgers, beer and pool. It's not in the vane of a Carls or Burger King. Definitely give it a try for lunch.

Although I haven't been to this location, I've read there's Boll Weevil 3815 Mission Ave, near El Camino Real. Boll Weevil is my favorite burger, unique to San Diego. They're a casual, sit down place.

Although I've never percieved it as "ass", the smell of bamboo shoots is a bit off-putting. I often smelled it around the numerous foodcourts in Bangkok. But, until my wife cooked up some spicy chcken with bamboo shoots, I never realized the source.

You might want to tent it.

Ramekins should work fine. The leaf isn't so much used as a wrapper, but a cup (ramekin?) I've even heard of it being prepared in "bulk" and portions spooned out.