Thai Pastry: Cheap and Tasty
If the above description of Thai Pastry (at 4925 N. Broadway) fits your date, Thai Pastry is a
great place to take him or her. Not only is this little slice of Thai heaven one of the best deals
for Asian food in the city, it also boasts warm, attentive service and an ambience that, while is
in no way upscale, is clean, bright, and comfortable.
I discovered Thai Pastry a couple of years ago, and have been bringing lunch and dinner dates
here ever since. They've all been consistently pleased with the experience and ever so
grateful (which is a good disposition in anyone you want to become more romantically involved
with). Bringing your date to Thai Pastry demonstrates an eye for value (when the quality of
something exceeds its cost), and good taste.
Aside from the above, what makes Thai Pastry a great cheap date? The food. As I said, you
won't be bowled over by the atmosphere here, although, for a Broadway storefront, its
pristine white walls and understated décor make it a good place to appraise your selection
(and I'm not talking about what you ordered off the menu). Brightly lit and clean, Thai Pastry is a
great backdrop to check out your prospective fling for the night … or your life. If he or she
shows attitude (or worse, obvious physical sores), you'll be able to discern them readily at this
clean, well-lit venue.
Back to the food, though (if you aren't too put off by my reference to sores): Thai Pastry
serves consistently fresh, well-prepared, and solid Asian fare. And, as this column dictates,
you can have a wonderful dinner for two and leave without spending more than $30, allowing
you to spend your money on more important purchases to heat up the romantic atmosphere
later on, like a cheap bottle of wine and rolling papers.
I digress. Here's a sample menu for two that won't bust your budget, or your belt (Thai Pastry's
offerings don't seem particularly calorie heavy). Like a nibble on the ear, a good place to start
is with an appetizer. I would recommend the Tod-Mun, a delicately spiced fresh fish cake
served with cucumber (Thai Pastry also offers the more familiar Thai delicacies, such as Satay
and delectable Spring Rolls) for $5.95. Share a salad: the Som Tum, with dry shrimp, tomato,
and green bean is a good choice for $5.95. Each of you order an entrée, but remember, in
eating, as well as in dating, sharing is fun. My recommendations would include Pad Woonsen
(choice of meat or tofu, plated with clear noodles, tomato and onion) for $7.25 and one of the
best Panang curries I've ever run across (I was going to say come across, but that conjures
up a whole different picture). This curry is a delightful meld of tastes: including sweet coconut
milk and basil and spicy red pepper and curry, and it's only $7.25. Finish up with a choice or
two from the desert case at the front of the restaurant, and you're on your way to Thai
heaven, with a blessedly small admission cost. Thai Pastry is open Monday through Thursday
from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. And … they deliver …
in more ways than one.
CORRECTION: In my last Cheap date column, I included a recipe. I have egg on my face (or
rather soy sauce and lemon). Please add 1/3 of a cup of water when you add the soy sauce
to the recipe.