Titaya's Thai Cuisine

Eating Thai food is one of the most pleasurable activities I can undertake. The wealth of flavors and textures are staggering, and my best culinary fortnight was my time in Thailand last December. In Washington, D.C., I frequented three solid and one very good Thai restaurant, and I have been eager to fill the void in Austin. After my meal at Titaya's Thai, I feel that I am off to a very nice start.

Titaya's Thai Cuisine is located in North Austin in an unassuming building with an attractive and welcoming interior. I, of course, dined with Sweetmonger and our meal began with skewers of lightly breaded then grilled mushrooms topped with house sweet and sour sauce. It was one of, if not, the best appetizer that I have had in a Thai restaurant (America or otherwise). It was a perfectly balanced dish. The mushrooms were front and center, but the breaded exterior was expertly textured. The char from the grill added an outdoorsy feel and the sweet and sour sauce made the plate distinctly Thai. It was very good.

My entree wasn't quite as good. I've tried pad Thai twice in Austin and both times I have been slightly disappointed. The pad Thai here is redder in color and I don't know . . . less peanutty and more tomatoey than what I'm used to. I am not sure if it is more ethnically accurate or not, but it isn't at the top of my favorites list. However, Sweetmonger's entree may be. She had Pad Praram with brown rice, which is chicken and vegetables stir-fried and topped with with light but intensely flavorful peanut sauce.

Furthermore, the staff at Titaya's was extremely friendly. Service was great and our waitress ran out the front door with my left over pad Thai as I was backing out of my parking space. Very good food and extremely reasonable prices: I am very happy we went there and am eager to return.

Titaya's Thai Cuisine

www.titayasthaicuisine.com

5501 N. Lamar Blvd.

Austin, TX 78751