I recently returned to this hole in the wall establishment, located on the SE corner or University Drive and Pines BLVD, after a long hiatus. Five of us got together for this culinary experience and we dined family style, moving dishes around the table.
The former owner, Paul Triam, decided to retire and move back to Thailand, selling his restaurant to his friends from neighboring Burma (now Myanmar). The new owners kept most of Paul's menu intact and added some unique Burmese dishes.
One such surprise was the Tea-Leaf Salad, lephet thoke. Taking time to chew and taste each bit of this will help you uncover a complex, rewarding mix of greens, nuts and spices. Keep in mind that due to the nuttiness of the salad it is richer than most and is best used as a shared appetizer.
We tried a variety of wonderful soups with one standout that is a staple of this establishment, the Sunflower Soup. It is made with coconut milk and small bits of chicken. This one is a must try in my book.
Burmese egg noodles are interesting although a bit too close to Italian or Chinese noodle dished to really make a splash. The Thai Masaman Chicken though is brilliant with pieces of avocado really giving the sauce a nice bump on the old taste-meter.
We decided to try the Burmese Chicken & Potato Curry but replaced the chicken with Tofu as one of us is a vegetarian. This turned out a success as each chunk of Tofu was crispy on the outside and creamy inside with a nice, curry flavor.
At this point we were full and even had some left over (my lunch the next day) but had to leave room for dessert. The Crispy Bananas with Home-Made Coconut Ice-Cream is always a hit and a must try at this place.
Conclusions:
-Location is a real hole in the wall, no thrills, quite and simple
-Owner and family provide a nice, friendly service although not all have complete grast of English
-Cost is roughly $20.00 per person based on meal with non-alcoholic beverages, quite the value for the quality of food served
This one is all about the food, no fancy audio system or large flat panels here, just simple folks that are proud of their cuisine and execute it well every time. I suggest coming hungry and trying a soup, appetizer, and a dessert, not just an entree. If you like it hot do not be afraid to ask but beware, you may get what you asked for...
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