The Food Experience no. 2

Comfort food can mean different things for everyone. I would love to know what you consider your comfort food, is it a dish your mother made when you were a child?

Venturing out on this sunny but chilly February day, my neighbor and I were up for a little adventure, deciding to try a new place, we stepped into the Lower East Side and found this cozy little Thai shop, called, One More Thai.

I cannot say that I have one type of comfort food, for me it depends on the day, and as my neighbor will say, “Today, I have a taste for…” And we have a favorite spot for our different cravings all with reasonable lunch special pricing.

I hate to say it but ‘One More Thai’ is giving competition to our other neighborhood spots, the flavors were very nice.

Before I insult my ‘foodies’ out there, I often explain it to my traveling guests as, ‘Thai food is similar to Chinese food.’ Not only is it due to the region but also the methods in which prepared. Traditional Thai cooking methods were stewing, baking, or grilling the Chinese introduced stir-frying and from the 17^th century forward new influences from the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and Japanese this cuisine has evolved.

Although characteristic of Thai cooking, a waterborne lifestyle, over time big cuts of meat were shredded and laced with herbs and spices, dishes can be refined and adjusted to suit all palates.

Today we went out for a warm plate of noodles. In Laos and Thailand these noodle dishes are known as ‘street food.’ Street food can certainly pertain to the masses and therefore a comfort food, for sure! With high expectations we ordered our usual dishes; Pad Thai a most popular dish and I order Phat si lo or Pad si Ew, depending on the shop it is also known in the Western culture as Black Noodle.

Pad Thai consists of a thin rice noodle and a subtle combination of spices (considered a curry) tamarind, fish sauce, palm sugar, and for a little heat a touch of paprika. Usually served with shrimp, and crushed peanuts, this dish may not be allergy friendly, but boy is it good. It can be ordered with chicken (sans) peanuts.

The rice noodle has been a staple of the culture since, as best as we know, the 5^th century. I ordered, Pad si Ew, the broad noodle, almost an inch wide, stir-fried with a little egg, Chinese broccoli, in a dark, sweet soy and black pepper concoction, this is what gives it the name Black Noodle. Love!

Traditionally a Thai meal is served all at once, permitting diners to enjoy complimentary combinations of different tastes. A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, accompanying a fish or vegetable. The ‘One More Thai’ lunch special included soup or a starter. We tested their Spring Rolls and Curry Puffs. Delightful!

Both Spring Rolls and Curry Puffs are fried; however, when served on paper doilies, no greasy residue, perfectly flaky pastries. The dipping sauces seemed handmade, Duck Sauce for the Spring Rolls, and a wonderfully, sweet vinegar for my potato-filled Curry Puffs. For street food, this is some kind of good!

One Token Tours is ready to share the love that New York has to offer in food as well as in the incredible sights. What are your comfort foods? They can be found and I can help you plan your next trip.