statue just inside entrance

On 62nd Avenue North, not far from Phat Phap Temple, the Vietnamese Buddhist temple, is a small, but very good restaurant, the Thai Kitchen (1126 62nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702-7422; 727-525-8748). I definitely recommend it, not only because it’s very good food at reasonable prices in a very congenial atmosphere, but also for the breadth of its menu, which includes a number of items I’ve not seen in other restaurants around town. Just a few examples–out of many more–are the kaprao frog’s legs, the pho taek soup, the stuffed chicken wings, the crispy noodles with shrimp (mee grob), mussels, scallops, fresh snapper, and boneless duck. It’s an impressive menu, well prepared. There are a number of vegetarian selections. While I was there, several women were placing a large advance order for a vegetarian dinner party. The Thai Kitchen lunch and dinner menus are available from their website. Thai Kitchen is small–I’d estimate it seats only about 4 dozen diners, but, you won’t be disappointed in the quality of its food. It’s very tasty.

I’ve often seen the Thai Kitchen when traveling down 62nd Avenue, but I’d never stopped in. I guess I was afraid it was just a fast food joint. (It’s definitely not–it’s a small, but “legit” restaurant, complete with beer and wine license!). Then…just a couple weeks ago, I needed to have some pants hemmed. (How’s that for a non sequitur?)

my take-home green curry, tom yum, and spring rolls

I checked Google for St. Petersburg clothing alterations and picked one at random that I thought would be easy to find: Alterations by Pat (1237 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33710; 727-551-9408). At Pat’s, it was such a treat to be greeted at the counter by a smiling Thai woman who pointed to my neck and said, “Thai gold!” Peeking out from under my collar was the chain of a necklace I’d bought in Thailand. We talked as if we were old friends sharing stories of Thailand, the local Thai temple, and Buddha necklaces. Among the services that Alterations by Pat offers, in addition to alterations and wedding services, are imported Thai items.

While we continued to chat, I got measured for my alterations. On my way out, Pat gave me a paper menu for their family restaurant–the Thai Kitchen! I finally stopped at the Thai Kitchen and I’m so glad I did. This time I did take-out and brought home some tom yum soup, a lunch portion of green curry and rice, and a couple Thai egg rolls. But, it is really a dine-in restaurant. Their dining room is full of authentic Thai decorations, mosaics made of tiny pieces of mirror on lustrous metal backgrounds. There are pictures of the beloved king, Rama V. There were at least three generations of the owner’s family working when I got my take-out; I enjoy that family restaurant feeling. The Thai Kitchen is open for lunch, Monday through Friday, 11am to 3pm, and for dinner, Monday through Thursday, 5pm-9pm, and Friday and Saturday, 5pm to 10pm.

Thai Kitchen

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If you look back over the different Inkwatu food posts, you’ll notice three St. Pete restaurants I’ve covered that have sushi bars:

• 2009/01/31: BKK Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar
• 2008/09/13: The King and I
• 2008/05/10: Ichiban Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Today’s post, Hook’s Sushi Bar and Thai Food, adds a fourth to that list. Interestingly, all four restaurants are Thai owned, but have Japanese sushi bars. Although their sushi is quite good, I tend to think of BKK and The King and I more for their Thai food and not so much their sushi. Ichiban’s and Hook’s are my favorites for sushi and where I head when I’m in the mood for that.

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Owner, Hook Atsavinh, has a motto for his restaurant: “All Fish and No Bull!” That’s very apt. This is a serious sushi palace. (Please the comments section below for information on Mr. Atsavihn’s recent, unexpected death.) My favorite at lunch is the Maki Combo, but occasionally, I venture out into some of the more extravagant rolls. The photos of his sushi “boats” prepared for large parties are impressive. Hook’s website posts both their lunch and dinner menus online. They are so extensive, I would suggest studying them before you go. Plan ahead so you’re not overwhelmed and just order your habitual dish (which is what usually happens to me). I also recommend stopping by to pick up a copy of their takeout menu. Hooks does a very brisk takeout. His menu, including takeout, includes some Korean, Americanized-Chinese, and a number of Japanese tempura dishes. Like, Ichiban, Hook’s is one of the places I go to eat eel: he serves up a very good Unagi Don (barbecued eel on a bowl of sushi rice, topped with eel sauce).

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Hook’s is located at 1210 9th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727-898-4665 Fax: 727-898-4606) and is open 11am to 2pm, Monday thru Friday, for lunch, and 5:30pm to 10pm for dinner; Saturday thru Sunday, dinner only, 5:30pm to 10pm. Be sure to check out Hook’s Wednesday night $1.00 sushi special! You can get a single piece of sushi (from a selection o sixteen different rolls) for only $1.00. Not only is that a good deal, economically, it’s good for experimentation. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to try conch but didn’t want to commit to an entire roll, you can have just one piece. Hook’s also has a large assortment of Asian salads and appetizers. Often, that’s all I want at lunchtime, just something light. Other times, I’m ravenous. Pictured below is what was left of my Maki Combo by the time I remembered I want to take a picture of it!

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SPICY LIME GROUPER

One of the most convincing reviews I ever read once was, “Just go!” I’m going to quote that author here regard the BKK Thai Restaurant (5267 Park St. N., Pinellas, Florida 33709; 727-545-1781): “Just go!”

BKK is the designation for the Bangkok airport. The last time I had Thai style fish this good was in Bangkok. This restaurant is what my son would describe as a “good restaurant to take a date to”–quiet, dimly lit, nice furnishing, cloth napkins (don’t laugh…not all restaurants have them). The main attraction, for me, of the BKK is its fish menu. Their grouper in a spicy lime sauce with celery, fresh garlic, galangal root (a Thai spice similar to ginger), kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, chilies and lime juice is my absolute favorite. It’s beautiful on the plate. It tastes even better.

Most Thai restaurants have two, maybe three fish dishes. BKK has seven. Next time I go, I want to try their fish in tamarind and pineapple sauce. Doesn’t that sound good? Their menu has a number of dishes that I’ve not seen on other Thai menus about town, such as a red curry fish cake and string bean appetizer in plum sauce on cucumber salad (tod mon pla) or a deep-fried roast duck salad (yum ped yang).

There are even inventive fried rice dishes such as black-olive fried rice with minced pork, Thai sausage, cashew nut and string beans, or their BKK Supreme fried rice with crab, shrimp, chicken, Thai sausage, cashews, pineapple and raisins. The four different duck entrees (tamarind, panang, red curry, basil sauce) are all moderately priced and look interesting. Of course, the BKK has all the usual dishes including Drunken Chicken, another one that’s usually not on menus.

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BKK INTERIOR

Often, desserts are the shortest suits for Asian restaurants. Not so, BKK; they have nine. I adore their green tea ice cream. If I can ever tear myself away from that, I hope to try their pumpkin custard, or fried cheese cake…or maybe the mango and sticky rice.

I guess you can tell I like this place. It’s a bit out of the way–it’s in a strip mall just south of the intersection of 54th Ave. N. and Park St. N. It’s a bit of a trek from downtown, but if you’re at the beach, it’s much closer than you think–just come across 150th Ave (Bay Pines Blvd.) to Park St. and turn north, or come across Park Blvd. from Redington Shores through Seminole to Park St. and turn south. If you’re downtown or in south St. Pete, you’ll have your favorite ways to get to Park Street, then just head north.

They’re open for lunch Monday-Sunday, 11:3am-3:00pm and dinner Monday-Thursday, 4:30pm-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday, 4:30pm-10:00pm, and Sunday, 4:30-9:00pm. That it’s open for late suppers is another plus. I’ve never tried their sushi but it’s an extensive list and even includes several eel selections (I love eel); I would assume their sushi is of the same quality as their Thai dishes.

They take credit cards, and their entrees are mostly between $15 and $20; however, there are a number of simpler entrees in the $10-$12 range and I’ve seen families with kids there more than once, so it is possible to dine there quite affordably. The portions are large. I always take home half for lunch the next day!

I recommend this restaurant very highly.

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BKK EXTERIOR

NOTE: Nitally’s has relocated to bigger and better quarters at 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL. Same good food, just more of it and more space and parking too!

Nitally’s Thai Coffee House (1040 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701) offers something I have never heard of before, nor could I find it anywhere on the Internet: Thai-Mexican fusion cuisine.

I found Thai fusion. I found Mexican restaurants in Thailand. But not this—Thai-Mexican fusion. It’s a natural. Both cultures share one important spice: cilantro. They also share a taste for spicy foods, although, of course, Thai is typically much spicier. But the owners, Nit (Thai) and Ally (Mexican), have created a concept that I hope makes them famous and an entrepreneurial success.

Consider these dishes:

• Chorizo Fried Rice
• Panang Burrito
• Green Curry Burrito
• Yellow Curry Burrito
• Spicy Basil Beef Taco
• Spicy Basil Chicken Taco
• Panang Mole

Just contemplating them makes my knees weak. Culinary beauty,

Of course, Nitally’s has the usual authentic Thai offerings. You can download a PDF of their menu here. This visit, I chose from those and had the chicken salad, which was a perfect blend of red peppers and lime juice. It was extremely good. On my next visit, and there will be another visit soon, I’m headed for the Spicy Basil Chicken Taco…or maybe the Green Curry Burrito…or maybe the Chorizo Fried Rice.

In addition to the usual hot teas and Thai iced Tea, iced Coffee, and iced Tamarindo, they carry something dear to my heart: pearl tea, also called boba tea, or bubble tea (see SPIFFS — 2nd Annual Asian Pacific Rim Festival 2008 for a full explanation of boba tea). Nitally’s selection of boba tea flavors is considerably wider than usual: Espresso Mocha, Cappuccino, White Chocolate, Green Tea, Honeydew, Watermelon, Strawberry, Thai Tea, Thai Coffee. Some of those I’ve never seen used as boba tea flavors before. If you’re never had boba tea, give it a try. It’s a textural treat as well as a flavorful one.

Nitally’s is very small: exactly two tables inside, four stools along a bookcase width wall counter, and one table on the sidewalk for alfresco dining. Parking is also minimal; just a couple spaces in front and then along the side avenues. But, it’s worth the trouble to find a place to park. This restaurant really is a “find.” I hope they succeed. Their concept and product are first rate.

Nitally’s will make most entrees vegetarian or vegan upon request. They also have a myspace page: myspace.com/nitallys. In addition to their 4th St. restaurant, which is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-2pm/6:30pm-9pm, they also have a stand at the Saturday Morning Market at Al Lang Park.

My single most favorite restaurant in downtown St. Pete is The King & I Thai Restaurant (445 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3808; 866-571-2731). Every aspect of eating there is a delight. The staff are terrific: greeting you, helpful throughout ordering and your meal, wishing you goodbye. Every dish I’ve ever had has been very tasty, nicely plated, and just the right amount. The selection of dishes covers everyone’s favorite Thai dishes plus some. The ambiance is inviting, quiet, relaxed. Those obviously aren’t just my opinions, because The King & I is packed at both lunch and dinner and its customers are regular fans, as am I.

The owner, Bryan, is always there, always attentive to his clientele. His artistic touch is felt everywhere from the many beautiful framed photographs of Thailand to the fresh flowers on tables and on the small Buddhist shrines. The various Buddhist and Thai sculptures displayed about also show his artistic touch. The Buddhist altars at the King & I are not just for decorative show, because, more than once, when arriving for a very early lunch or dinner, I’ve seen Bryan or one of the wait staff privately and gently wai to the altar after placing fresh flowers or fruit there. That gentleness and gracefulness pervades the culinary experience at The King & I.

Anyone who frequents Thai restaurants—and there are many such people in St. Pete judging from the amazing number of Thai restaurants here—has their own favorite dishes. One friend always gets exactly the same thing every time. I’m not quite that way, but I do have my favorites depending upon my mood.

For lunch at the King & I, my typical meal is nam sod with a cold Singha beer. You can get the nam sod—as you can almost every dish at The King & I—with a variety of meats, but I prefer the pork which works perfectly for me with the mint, hot peppers, peanuts, and ginger that are part of this low-carb/low-cal dish suited to Florida summers. I’m one of those who like it “Thai hot,” but you can get it prepared very mildly as well. (Note: in this post I’m using RecipeZaar recipes merely to illustrate the dish; The King & I uses its own recipes, of course.)

At lunch, every meal comes with a complimentary light soup and a fried Thai egg roll. But, sometimes, I prefer to order a larger serving of either tom yum goong (a spicy hot and sour shrimp soup that’s my favorite soup there) or tom kha gai (a coconut chicken soup that is a favorite for many). There’s also a sushi bar which is good for a light lunch or as an appetizer at dinner. The King & I is quite popular with the downtown business lunch crowd and I’ve often seen groups of six or eight co-workers happily sharing their sushi orders, postponing their return to work.

At dinner, or if I’m particularly hungry at lunch, I’ll get one of the curries. My favorites are the green curry and the jungle curry (I especially like this curry because it has no coconut milk in it—according to the RecipeZaar author, it’s called jungle curry because no coconuts grow in the jungles of northern Thailand). When I’m feeling particularly in need of comfort food I permit myself a carb-splurge with pad thai (I am addicted to noodles of every variety). Their pad thai is absolute tops.

Sometimes, I get one of the many rice dishes, such as spicy basil chicken with white rice (a dish I make at home a lot, too). Their house specialties deserve mention—two I particularly enjoy are the egg plant (wow!) and the steamed salmon with ginger sauce. I often order a smaller sized portion of the steamed salmon at lunchtime—it really is terrific (love their ginger sauce).

As I mentioned earlier, most dishes you can get with any protein: chicken, pork, beef, tofu, shrimp, squid, scallop, or a seafood combination. Of course, they have many other appetizers and entrees, even more than are listed on their website. Sometimes they have little pieces of banana in deep fried wanton wrappers topped with a honey sauce. A perfect way to end a perfect meal.

The King & I is open Monday through Saturday for lunch (11:00 am to 3:00 pm) and dinner: (5:00 pm to 10:00 pm). They’re also open for Sunday dinner: (4:00 pm to 10:00 pm).

temple front

If you take the 50th Street exit off the crosstown expressway, go south across the Palm River, turn left at the first light, and then, soon after the railroad tracks, turn left into the big parking lot, you will be transported to a different mindset, a completely different approach to life and being: Wat Mongkolratanaram, Tampa’s Thai Buddhist temple (map).

garden Buddha

Westerners usually have misunderstandings about what Buddhism is and what’s going on in the ceremonies they may have glimpsed. A one-sentence definition of Buddhism: an approach to living that reduces suffering. No one claims that Buddha was a god and all the bowing is an expression of respect, not worship. Should you care to enter the temple itself, please remove your shoes, and maintain an attitude of quiet respect.

teaching Buddha

Thai Buddhism is based on the earliest Buddhist writing. As Buddhism spread from country to country from its origins in northern India near the Nepal border, more and more writings were added to the Buddhist canon. Theravada Buddhism, the Buddhism of Thailand and Sri Lanka, doesn’t accept those later scriptures. However, all branches of Buddhism accept the first writings upon which Theravada is based. Tampa has an extensive Buddhist community with Lao, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese temples as well as Chinese, Tibetan, and Japanese Buddhist groups.

sticky rice steaming

Every Sunday, starting about 10:30 AM, the families of Wat Mongkolratanaram prepare an enormous feast of traditional Thai foods for anyone who comes, and all are truly welcome. The prices are miniscule. Your only difficulty will be in deciding what to eat.

desserts

There is a multitude of desserts—Thais seem to love sweet foods. There are also savory “desserts” such as chopped sweet potato, banana, and taro root (the stuff from which Polynesians make poi) deep-fried in an enormous wok and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Of course, there’s all the usual main dishes such as pad thai and various curries. Food are prepared without hot spices so each person can add hot peppers to their own taste (or not).

fish balls

My favorites are the soups. You have a choice of what you want in yours (fish balls?, onions?, peppers?, thick or thin noodles?) as well as a choice of the basic broth (chicken or beef). Another western mistaken belief is that all Buddhists are vegetarians. This isn’t true. Theravada Buddhists are not. In addition, some Tibetans are not. Even within vegetarian cultures, there are varying degrees; some are much stricter than even vegans are (who eat no eggs or cheese or milk), by eating no garlic, onions, or mushrooms (plants that die when harvested). So, don’t be surprised by all the meat on Wat Tampa’s menu!

pots of soup

There are also tables where one may buy plants and religious articles such as incense, Buddha statues, etc. But…the main even on Sundays is the food and sitting beside the restful Palm River, accompanied only by the sounds of wildlife and, usually, recordings of dharma talks by monks softly playing in the mellifluous Thai language.

spirit house and picnic tables beside river

Thai-rific has grown from a tiny shop offering only tropical plants and a few Thai gifts to a full-service florist and gift shop covering several buildings and greenhouses. They now offer non-tropical as well as tropical floral selections in arrangements created by their highly experienced designers.

They still fill individual requests such as my lei order, of course, but their growth now allows them to handle large weddings and other social events. Part of their recent physical expansion includes a bridal consultation room (see below) with ornate imported furniture covered with hand carved Asian scenes in bas-relief.

They still offer an extended line of tropicals, all of which are grown on the premises. It’s extremely relaxing to visit Thai-rific just to walk through the greenhouses. The sounds of hidden running water and the refreshing ions and clean air from the growing plants makes your cares a distant memory.

Pandy and Peter, owners of Thai-rific, are proud of their achievement and chances are one of them or their family will show you around and tell you about the flowers and items. The entire atmosphere is welcoming. It really is close to the emotional experience of an actual visit to Thailand.

In addition to the floral business, they also have a wide selection of Thai gifts and souvenirs, including imported clothing and smaller home furnishings, such as mirrors, hangings, and decorations.

There are also traditional Thai cultural icons such as this ox-cart out front of one of the buildings. I’m sure this ox-cart is not for sale, though!

However, definitely for sale, are another part of traditional Thai culture: real spirit houses. Personally, I do think that places have spirits. For a western discussion of this, read Care of the Soul, by the psychologist and former Catholic priest, Thomas Moore. Even if only taken metaphorically, honoring the spirit of love in a home has to be of some benefit! Objectifying that honor in a spirit house makes perfect sense to me.

In addition, Thai-rific has a selection of authentic Buddha sculptures and altar accessories. Buddhists do not use Buddha images for decorative purposes, but reserve them for devotional use in small altars in their homes and businesses. This is true, not only for Theravada Buddhism (the form of Buddhism in Thailand and Sri Lanka), but also for Mahayana Buddhism (found in China, Japan, and Tibet).

Whether you need a gift or flowers for a wedding or birthday, or just need to get away for a few minutes, I guarantee you won’t leave a visit to Thai-rific empty handed. You’ll leave refreshed with increased peace of mind.