Thai Bros. a hit with late-night crowd

DINING OUT

Celebrating nine successful years in a cozy little Laguna Avenue

site, the popular Thai Bros. restaurant has just launched its latest

menu. Found in the whimsical categories of Appethaizers (starters),

Go Hog Wild (pork dishes), Go Fish (seafood), are an array of

enticing new taste treats.

Nue Ka Tiem is grilled marinated beef over lettuce topped with

garlic sauce; Gang Suparod means shrimp, scallops, pineapple in curry

sauce; Yankee Noodle is Thai-style spaghetti with ground chicken,

shrimp, vegetables.

For persons new to this area, it should be known that Laguna

Avenue is the small, block-long side street at Coast Highway that

quickly becomes Park Avenue.

Devotees of this ethnic eatery, however, need no introduction to

the locale.

There is a constant flow of take-out customers whose orders are

quickly expedited as they linger at the entry wait-station, where a

colorful fish tank conceals the adjacent kitchen and a handsome

floor-to-ceiling panel dramatizes the area.

While twosome tables in the intimate L-shaped dining room seat

only about 30 guests, the rear space, with its oblong wall mirrors

and framed scenics, comfortably accommodates small parties.

It is the enticing menu of this family-owned establishment,

however, which has earned the devotion of locals as well as a coveted

Zagat citation.

Some of the delicious soups, termed Warm Broth, are Tom Yum hot

and sour soup laden with slabs of chicken breast and vegetables.

Tasty salads called Green Garden include the Yum Yai combination

of perfectly al dente shrimp, scallops and squid. This man-size feast

is arranged with big chunks of tomato, cucumber, carrot, bell pepper,

an artfully sliced cooked egg and a generous heap of luscious jelly

noodles.

It’s fun to figure out the titles! Cow With Three Legs translates

to half a dozen beef treats, such as China Man with broccoli in

gravy, Crying Tiger for marinated steak in spicy lime sauce and

Masa-Man with onion and potato seasoned with nutty curry. In the Have

Wing Will Travel category is Fire Eaters, spicy chicken with bell

pepper, mushrooms, onion and carrot.Main Man in the Orient stands for

fried rice and egg creations.

There’s Drunken Rice, laden with such as chili, basil, onion and

broccoli; Crustacean Rice with shrimp, tomato, onion; and Pavilion

Rice with chicken, pork and shrimp.

Prices, compared to delivery menus, are much more reasonable. Most

entrees are $10.95, a few going to $14.95 and $15.95. Recent specials

posted near the door were two intriguing vegetarian offerings at

$10.95: sauteed spinach with tofu in black bean sauce and mixed

vegetables with tofu in spicy peanut sauce.

For the late-night contingent, Thai Bros. is open until midnight

on weekdays, and until 1:30 a.m. on weekends, sometimes as late as 2

a.m. No cocktails, but beer and wine are available.

* GLORI FICKLING, a longtime Laguna Beach resident, has written

restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at

494-4710 or by e-mail at [email protected].