Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Sala Thai
807 First Street, Benicia
707-745-4331

When I walked in to Sala Thai, I had never eaten Thai food before. I was a Thai virgin. And I had no idea what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised and quickly converted to an instant fan of Thai cuisine.

The first thing I found different and new was the choice between tables and floor seating. You can choose to eat at a table like at home or any other ordinary restaurant, or you can remove your shoes, pad up the stairs and sit with your legs dangling into a hole under the table to give the feel of authentic on-the-floor seating without the discomfort of sitting on the floor. So much for the ?no shoes, no service? rule.

The waitress was prompt, friendly, and informed us of the special choices for the evening. The menu is extensive offering a wide variety of seafood, chicken, and vegetarian options. The regular menu also provides two duck, four pork, and four beef dishes for the more carnivorously inclined. Specials listed by the door included salmon and rack of lamb, but we were quickly informed that they were out of lamb.

We started our meal with crab cakes because I simply adore crab cakes. I was surprised when they arrived, served unlike any crab cakes I have ever eaten. Two generously sized, golden cakes sat atop a huge bed of fresh fruit. The whole thing was drizzled with a light, sweet sauce and topped with crispy rice. This was a delectable treat filling enough to serve as an entire meal! Luckily I split it with my dining partner so I wasn?t too full to eat my main dish.

My friend enjoyed the Bay Scallops and Prawns in a Spicy Peanut Sauce over a bed of vegetables and rice. I?ll assume that all the yummy noises she made meant she enjoyed her food. I ordered the Salmon and Crispy Prawns Special. I can say with no hesitation whatever, that this was one of the finest meals I have ever eaten. The fish was flaky, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The vegetables were tender-crisp and hot, and the prawns! Oh, the prawns were the highlight of the dish. I have eaten plenty of crispy seafood that grew soggy before the end of the meal, but these were delicious, hot, and crispy until I popped the last one in my mouth savoring every essence of its delightful flavor. Sala Thai?s Crispy Prawns are not to be missed. Truly. I topped the meal off with their special sweet Thai Iced Tea, and it was the perfect complement to the entirely delightful dining experience. I only wish I?d had room for one of their exotic sounding deserts!

My only caution is toward your pocketbook, as our dinner for two cost sixty bucks without alcoholic beverages, though I believe the specials we ordered were more pricey than the regular menu items. Crab Cakes and a Thai Iced Tea for lunch will run you about $10. Sala Thai is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and dinners daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended on the weekend.

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