Thai one on in Bel Air this weekend, and I don’t mean get drunk. Of all the Asian cuisine eateries in Harford County, sometimes the best value comes in the least expected places. In the sprawling brick and mortar of The Festival Shopping Center, lies the Thai Spice Restaurant. http://www.thaispicebelair.com/ It hasn’t always been Thai at that spot, I think it has been multiple no name joints, with either Asian Fusion or some sort of jumbled up combination of the like. Obviously a very high cost location, it has been difficult finding the right fit for us finicky diners in Bel Air.
So this review kicks off the first of thousands of dining blogs from myself and Wendy on the Flour Sack Studio site. Our goal is to focus on local places with good food, add in a splash of humor, a pinch of knowledge, and a dash of love.
On a crazy Friday night in the even crazier month of September, we decided to kill our limited budget and give Thai Spice another try. When it first re-opened months ago we ate there, and it was as forgettable as a Donald Trump speech. But now, they seemed more confident as if they discovered their identity. Glossy menus, adequate seating, soothing atmosphere, and a buzz of activity awaited us.
Not being too hungry or “hangry” we decided to eat light and keep it simple; 2 soups and a meal, shared between foodies.
Tom Kha for me, and Hoi Ob Lemongrass with Mussels for me, nothing for Wendy. No, just kidding, we shared. The Tom Kha is a delicious coconut milk based elixir. I could have lowered my head above the bowl to breathe in the aromas of Cayenne and Cilantro, went home, and still be happy. Once we started to taste the soup and it’s tender contents, our mouths were just as happy. On a cold day, warm day, or any day, this Thai sensation is a must have. Your mind and you nasal passages will thank you for trying it.
Wendy had the first taste of the Hoi Ob Lemongrass soup, steaming and simple. Lowered into the clear broth were 6 moderately large New Zealand mussels, and if there was to be anything slightly negative to say it would be “make them smaller” We love Mussels, but in a broth that is delicate they needed to be smaller and less work. The taste was great but the cutting into bite size bites was not. Overall, we would get this appetizer again but hopefully smaller mussels over the brawn of larger ones, will win out.
On to the main meal of Red Curry with Chicken. I could have devoured this entire dish myself, but as I glanced across the table at Wendy, I could see in her eyes that if I tried to horde it, she would destroy me. A lesser establishment could easily ruin this staple dish from Bangkok, overcook the chicken, ignore the need for basil, and throw in a handful of not-so-fresh veggies. This was not going to be that experience, no my friends, not this night.
It was a perfectly sized and a perfectly seasoned dish. The sliced thin chicken was tender. The carrots and green peppers were julienned and al dente. I think we actually lost consciousness after the first bite and before we knew it, the ball of white rice and contents of the platter were gone. We could see the bottom of the dish through the trace amount of coconut milk and spice remaining. Luckily, Wendy happened to be in a minor food coma and relaxed, leaning back against the booth. Quickly, I sipped the last drop from the plate, tilting it back into my mouth like a 6 year old and his cereal bowl milk.
I won’t focus too much on the desert of Fried Bananas in Phyllo and honey, with a scoop of Ice Cream on the side. Why, you ask? Not much to say other than they were a perfect end to a rather impressive and inexpensive experience. There are great restaurants around Harford County and they can be found if you stop long enough to find them.
As a home chef my wife and I use what we sell, the Flour Sack towel, we have made all of the above dishes before, and integrated the towel into the preparation. Straining the broth through the towel to remove any impurities and as Wendy calls them, “the undesirables” is a critical step in making these dishes kick ass. The towel replaces the inconsistency and gauziness of Cheesecloth, it is washable and re-usable. Check out the other uses of this age old kitchen towel found on our site, try one and you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks for listening and have fun eating!