Page 56 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

Food

A THAILAND TASTY TREAT

By Gerald Neff

Photos Courtesy of Gerald Neff

My past 50 years of experience in the beginning for requesting either a large
Chinese style food from the Orient - includ- bucket of water or a medium-sized fire
ing Hong Kong, Taiwan, China proper and extinguisher, but you can request no spices
Vietnam- that also exist in Latin America; please. But that's not so much fun.
plus the forever take out and home delivery However, I have settled on one delight-
of both the warm Szechuan and the milder ful little place for my repeated culinary
Cantonese style cuisine that I found in Cali- outings, both with visitors and family, and
fornia, have given me a personal opinion: “I that is the “Sue Thai Om.” Translated means,
love them all! But some a tad bit more.” Sue being the gracious owner, Thai the
While serving in Vietnam, I visited country of origin, and Om that mysterious
the neighboring country of Thailand and blessing sound uttered with respect for
discovered Thai food. I must admit I was centuries in both the near and far East.
not particularly impressed at first with This restaurant is located on the left side
the style, It seemed very spicy, and after of Mission Road and properly marked with
tasting a myriad of stalls, shops and luxury a large sign announcing Sue Thai Om. Our appetizers, all with your choice of either
restaurants in both Bangkok and Chiang little restaurant contains just twelve tables, shrimp, mixed seafood, pork, beef, chicken,
Mai, I was not convinced. several which are round for more diners. or vegan. It's your choice and your taste for
However, in the past 15 years in Inside you will find two distinct ambiances, the order. A wonderful finale is always the
Southern California, I have discovered and one with several large paintings and hand Thai ice cream of typical flavors made right
sampled a host of Thai restaurants and drawings of the Buddha flanked by a beau- on the property. My favorite is Pad Thai
their appropriate dishes. tiful lacquered wooden screen, the other Noodles with shrimp, bean sprouts, green
I am really becoming a fan of Thai food. side is overseen by a large stained-glass onions, ground peanuts, and just a bit of
Thai food is slightly sweet from the peacock, a good luck symbol in the East. fresh mushrooms accompanied with fresh
coconut milk and peanuts and perhaps The place is quite agreeable and sim- ginger. My friends from the Philippines
a bit of sweetener. But what is ferocious ple, but the star of the program is the won- claim their Pad Thai as the most delicious
is the spicy bite of the food, for burning derful food. Served hot; right out of the in the world and it was until Sue’s. You will
the unsuspecting individual eating these exotic aromatic smelling kitchen to your not go away wanting because the portions
delicacies. When the menu arrives, and the table with a major precision that is just are quite ample; containers are available
waiter asks you to choose from 1 to 10 for right between specific dishes. Everything for anything you wish to take home.
spicy strength, pay attention! You are in for is great. The menu comprises a delicious Sue, the owner, is a valiant modern
a hot spicy ride. Five, in my opinion, being array of curries, fried rice and assorted woman, so with little invasion of her per-
sonal life here goes. After a regrettable loss
of finance and her former mate, she was
left out in the cold to start all over again
and in just four short years has recovered
better than ever without male intervention
in her business. Thanks to her strong spirit
and the great help from her friends-fe-
male accomplices- has placed Sue and her
tasty spot on top. Now like the Phoenix
rising from the ashes, our Thai lady is not
only more successful than ever but with a
strong eye for a grand future and is firmly
in charge.
You can visit SUE THAI OM at 1450
Mission Road, in San Marcos, California. For
inquiries or reservations call 760 842 7749.
This is a delightful eating adventure
which I heartily recommend.
Bon Appetit!

56