Chalong - New York, NY

Walk it off with a little shopping, my first foray against the beckoning boutiques of Brooklyn's best shopping streets. 

I didn't buy anything there, but I got the girls some stuffies at the store of every child's dreams. FAO Schwarz, we salute you.

Chalong - New York, NY

Chugging along to Chalong for a pre-theater treat. Far less formal than all that fine dining, this menu manifests marvels, bright and bountiful, delightful and delicious.

The Baerng Golae is my first and favorite plate. Coconut crisp encases grilled shrimp smothered in an oozy yellow curry.  

No wait, the Lumpu Salad is the best. Supple scallops sing in a seafood sauce, lifted by minty greens and a flash of chili. 

Wash it all down with the Yah-Nud, a mocktail of basil pineapple. 

Tom Sompla is a sour soup, a tom yum with chunks of buttery bass. 

Gotta get your greens, and the Wok of Greens is lush and leafy.

Sator Goong has stinky beans! I only taste savor and spice, and it is sensational. 

Wait, maybe the Goat Curry is the best, with meat so soft it melts in your mouth. Served with a side of some of the best roti in the world.

There is fried rice everywhere, and Khao Pad Mun Goong is the king, cooked with jumbo shrimp head-on to add extra fat to the flavor. 

Fantastic Thai food, highest praise from a California transplant and a woman who's lived in Thailand. I can't imagine there's much better Thai out there than this, and I can't think of a better place to eat the last meal of our trip. 

Roasted Duck by Pa Ord - Hollywood

"Los Angeles' best roasted duck". Yeah, I'm not so sure. I liked it just fine, but I can't imagine no one does it better. 

For starters, it took them over 30 minutes after opening to even have the duck. Haste makes waste and in their case, it seems haste doesn't make the greatest duck. 

The Single special is a perfect portion for an "I could eat" day, and the dips take the duck from okay to good, between the thick gravy and slight-bite soy. The skin is too oily to crisp, and it's the jade noodles that are the real star, with a very veggie hue and an earthy savor I can still remember. 

I don't know how much duck was ready, but the Spicy Basil Duck Over Rice has maybe 3 chunks, and the rest of the sad little bits look plucked them from a stock that's already been sliced to the bone. There are no real chunks of meat, and the rest is rather dry green beans with few wisps of basil. 

It's a duck spot, but the Fried Pork Belly is the best thing they make. Crispy with no discernible grease, rich and savory with just enough fat for flavor.

Thai Crab Rolls are quite nice, spongy-soft, cushiony crab.

The Papaya Salad is a good one as well, as the flavors taste like they've been pestled, and the spice level is quite authentic. Even the mild had me working up a sweat.

I've been wanting to eat here forever, and it's quite the trek to Hollywood so I had hoped for something a little bit better. I didn't leave hungry, I didn't leave angry, but I did leave rather disappointed. Thai Town has so much else to offer that I'll probably never circle back here again. 

Ban Ban Burger - Los Angeles

In a world full of boring old burgers, Ban Ban Burger does a bang up job. 

Smash burgers have come and gone, but the Grapow Smash is here to stay. Not only are the beefy bits juicy and savory beneath their grill-seared crust, the grapow mix sears its own path with a sweet and feisty chili finish. Pickles add some perk as cheese and aioli add some cream, and egg yolk runs to the rescue to soften the burn.

The Wagyu Laab Smash is a less impactful, subtly sweet and significantly softer for those who don't want to burn. The herbal notes are quiet, sweetness dominating pickles and cheese. 

Something about the Satay Katsu Sando hits. The panko cutlet is perfection, but it's really how that peanut sauce sinks into the milky bread that adds an extra layer of umami. 

Not enough? Try a side of Papaya Fries. Gooey sweet-sticks with varying levels of ripeness make a most satisfying crunch, best when dipped in that super-sweet side sauce. 

With multiple unique spices and seasoning, Ban Ban Burger does what very few can; this little burger joint manages to be memorable. Despite having had many a delicious burger, these are the only ones I remember. And if anyone asks where I want to go for my next burger, only Ban Ban comes to mind. 

Moom Maam - Torrance

Deep down in the bowels of the mall, a Smorgaburg star sets up a brick-and-mortar. 

It's artisan Thai gelato in every flavor you can imagine and also many you can't. The Special is amazing for sharing. A waffle-cup cradles a scoop of sticky rice, and you can choose up to three scoops as you wish. Mango is a must, black sesame is nutty and rich, and this last white one is a creamy and very interesting tofu. 

The woman behind the counter is incredibly patient, insisting that you try every flavor so you're sure to choose the ones you like. The blue corn with goat milk caramel doesn't make the cut for me as it is so much blander than it sounds, and it's mostly milky with kinda a hint of corn. Uji matcha is good, though, as is the rich Belgian chocolate. and creamy Thai tea. 

Don't come here if you don't have time to wait. Service is incredibly friendly but hardly fast, and seating is limited to a couple of narrow benches. Still, the ice cream is absolutely worth it, pricey but quality, unique and easily the best in the mall.

Tuk Tuk Thai - Los Angeles

It's weird to not eat Japanese food on Sawtelle but this little Thai street food stop makes a strong case to skip the ramen just one. The chef here has a winning recipe, it seems; any food + high heat is a winner. 

Their interpretation of the Chive Pancake is a whimsical one and I love it. The batter is served in small rectangles, seared on all sides for a delightfully crispy crust with a starchy center that's soft and chewy. It wades in a sticky brown sauce, sweet with a little bit of tang. It's a high price for a small portion, but I'd get it again if it came with more. 

Shrimp Balls are exactly that, fried chunks in sweet chili sauce. Straightforward but what's not to like about fried balls of shrimp?

Moo Kluk Foon is a delicate little plate of fried pork jowl, an underrated and overlooked cut of incredibly tender meat. The outside has the thinnest crust with a coat of rice powder to bring out the savory notes. 

Pad Zee Ew Moo Krob tastes like a street stall staple, a latticework of delicate angel hair noodles with crispy pork belly bits. Good, but not so memorable.

Khao Soi Chicken is where it's at. The coconut curry is thick and sweet with an entire quarter of chicken on top. The meat is tender and more than enough to share, but I do wish they'd included more egg noodles to balance it out. 

Thai Tea is technically a dessert but is better for washing down this meal. They make a nice iced coffee as well. 

The Tapioca Pudding is a small portion of tapioca with cubes of soft taro and tender coconut. Nice texture, not too sweet for a lighter end to a rather filling meal. 

It's not Japanese but it's good enough to stand up on Sawtelle. Good food, good execution, great lunch deal with DineLA. Even without the deal, I dare say I'd come again.

Heng Heng Chicken Rice - Hawthorne

CALL AHEAD. They have 3 tables and your fried food is fresh so it's quite a wait with no seating if you're just going for a pick-up. I didn't do any of that, but I can honestly say I didn't mind the 30 minutes I spent in my car in this seedy-looking strip mall on a Friday night.

My favorite was probably the Fried Chicken Rice, just golden chunks of the good stuff over a big bed of garlic rice. The meats are great, but the rice puts them on the map. The flavor is so savory it's practically pure chicken broth...with oh so much sweet garlic. Don't bother eating here if you don't love garlic.

The regular Hainan Chicken Rice is among the best I've had. I barely tolerate the blanched stuff, but they didn't blanch the flavor out of these meaty marvels, and I would absolutely get this again. 

Crispy Pork is an alternative to chicken, but I do think the chicken is better. The garlic noodle is a nice chow mein iteration, but I still prefer the rice. 

There's a crew of sweet, hard-working people slinging some pretty fantastic chicken out of this small hole-in-the-strip-mall, and Heng Heng Chicken Rice fits into the casual South Bay food scene nicely. The prices are good for quite a lot of food, and the food is even better. 

Hidden Garden Thai - Culver City

Too far to make a special trip, just close enough for Doordash, Hidden Garden is a hidden gem well worth a try. 

Their traditional Thai cuisine hits all the high notes, with Crispy Shrimp Rolls encasing jumbo prawns,

fluffy Roti Curry to be dipped in a creamy sauce, 

and they even carry the sweet n' sour fermented-rice Issan Sausage.

Pad Thai Boran is a classic, 

but their Crab Noodle is one I've never seen. Thin, al dente egg noodles add substance to succulent chunks of crab. It's indescribably slurpable and impossible not to inhale. 

Casual, fun, perfect for pigging out during your favorite movie or game. Portions are too small for catering but are just right for small-group sharing.

Noodle Box Kitchen - Reno, NV

I thought I’d seen all Reno has to offer, but Noodle Box popped up next to The Discovery, and it might be the best discovery I’ve made.  

Even the drinks are irresistible. Thai Lime Tea has the flavor and creamy sweetness of the original minus condensed milk. A lift of lime takes it from dessert-like to refreshing. Vietnamese Coffee hits the spot if you're craving a caffeinated classic.

Boat Noodle Soup is the one they recommend, a bone broth with a bite. The flavor is savory beef with a slightly spicy afterburn and lots of notes of sweet, sour, and salty all adding so much depth. The slices of pork shoulder are tough and the meatballs are bland, but I do love the soup itself. 

Tom Yum is a solid choice if you're craving the sweet n' sour. It's a tangy broth with fabulous, fresh shrimp and soft, flavorful fish balls. 

Khao Soi Fried Chicken is the best thing they make. They fry up the thigh meat which has a lot more flavor than a blander breast, and the curry is so thick and sweet it's practically a solid. Pickled veggies and red onion break up the rich, creamy bites, and the contrast of cream and crisp is a feast for the senses. 

For dessert, they have mochi cakes in matcha, regular, and Ube. Try them. ALL. 

We loved Noodle Box so much we went twice in a single week. Service is spectacular, from some of the most genuinely nice people I've ever met, and though the tables are no frills, they make you feel like royalty when they bring your fantastic food. 

Ayara Thai - Los Angeles

I thought there were no good Thai places south of Hollywood, but now there are two. 

Their Khao Soi is the only one that rivals Sweet Rice...and one of few Khao Soi this far south. The broth is sweet and thick, swimming with chicken legs so tender they fall apart when you pick them up.

The Laab Duck has a sweet n' sour n' spicy mix. The meat is chewy, the sauce full of flavor. 

The Muay Thai Wings have a skin of crispy perfection, just dying to be dunked in a house-made hot sauce that is to die for. 

Pad Thai is always safe, and I rather enjoyed theirs with crispy pork belly. 

Mango Sticky Rice is a lovely finish to any meal, and theirs didn't disappoint. 

Finally, another go-to Thai place that's not too far for pick-up. Adding Ayara to a short list of take-out temptations!

The Coconut on T - Sacramento, CA

We arrive in Sacramento after nine hours on the road. We are weary and in dire need of something scrumptious. No one delivers, despite the short distance between our airbnb and downtown, but we manage to make do with Doordash, and they fetch us some Thai staples from The Coconut on T. 

A few bites in and I understand the fuss. The Pineapple Fried Rice is truly flavorful, full of kickin' curry powder and plenty of pineapple chunks.

A Papaya Salad boasts a sweeter, fish sauce-esque house-made "dressing". My fault for not seeing the option to select a level of spice. It tastes funny with no heat so make sure you get at least mild or medium. 

There's magic in the mundane. The Fried Calamari is skillfully battered, and the golden pieces keep their crunch despite the transit. 

You won't be surprised by the menu, but you will be surprised by the quality. The Coconut on T makes basic Thai, but they make it really well. On the days you just want a great fried rice, you can count on the Coconut to make yours exceptional. 

Eem - Portland, OR

The only thing better than fried chicken or curry is both, and Eem has it all. Born from the brains of some of Portland’s brightest chefs, Eem is both innovative and inventive, a collective breath of fresh air. 

The Sweet and Sour Fried Chicken is a little soggy by the time it arrives, but the batter is still bomb. A good balance between sweet and tangy with a touch of spice, it’s bigger pieces with a sauce like Pok Pok lite. 

The White Curry is where it’s at. Smoky burnt ends permeate a sweet and creamy coconut, all soaked up by cauliflower chunks with a mouth-watering char. The spice level is Thai-nothing but American medium so order some extra rice to drink every drop. 

Massaman Curry is equally mind-blowing, earthy and sweet, full of deeply-smoked shredded lamb shoulder, meat that melts in your mouth. 

Wok-Fried Greens are pricey, but the portion is perfect, and the bitter greens are an ideal accompaniment to any entree. 

“It’s just rice, how good can it be?” I said, stupidly. Don’t miss the BBQ Fried Rice - they make the most of every single grain, coating each piece with smoky brisket drippings.

Collaboration curry is the best thing I’ve eaten in Portland to date, and that is saying something. I love everything about Eem, from the concept the flawless execution.