Now that we are into winter, restaurant dining is on hold until the weather is warm enough to eat outdoors again. To give me a break from cooking, we do take-out once or twice a week.
Starting in 2021, after we were vaccinated and went back to restaurant dining outdoors, whenever we’ve wanted Thai food in NJ, we’ve gone to Kunya Siam Thai, in Atlantic Highlands. They have a lovely outdoor garden, and the food is wonderful. Unfortunately, Atlantic Highlands is too far for us to do take-out. So this past fall, I Googled, hoping to find a Thai restaurant close to our house. I discovered that Bangkok Bistro, in Manalapan, is just a 10-minute ride away. I have no idea how long it’s been there. A note said ownership had just changed hands and linked to a new website. We gave them our order over the phone and drove there to pick it up. Happily, the food was very good, so we put it on our take-out rotation. Like Kunya, they have Michael’s favorite dish, Kee Mao, aka Drunken Noodles, which he loves because it’s spicy! And, he says, it’s as tasty as Kunya’s. That’s why he chose take-out from Bangkok Bistro for his birthday lunch. No fancy tablecloth dining. We kept it casual and ate at our center island.
Tom Yum Koong
Thai Spicy & Sour Soup with Shrimp, Lemon Grass and Mushrooms
When we did our first take-out, I ordered this soup. Not only didn’t I like the flavor, but it was way too spicy for me. Michael tried it. And while he liked it, he felt it was too spicy even for him. The next time we ordered take-out, I asked about spice levels, and they told me we could indicate what level we wanted. Level 1 = somewhat spicy, Level 2 = medium, and Level 3 = very. So, Michael tried Level 1 for the soup, and that was perfect for him.
Since none of the other soups on the menu appealed to me, I made my own Thai-style soup. Not spicy, of course.
Coconut Broth with Onions, Red Pepper, Pineapple, and Cilantro
Curry Puffs
Baked Puff Pastry Stuffed with Ground Chicken, Potato, Carrot, Red onion, Curry Powder
These are sensational.
Steamed Dumplings
With Chicken, Shrimp, and Crabmeat
First time we ordered these. Very tasty.
Kee Mao aka Drunken Noodles with Beef (Spice Level 2)
He has ordered it every time!
I have ordered Pad Thai with Chicken and Massaman Curry with Chicken. This time, I tried this:
Bangkok Duck
Crispy Boneless Half Duck Topped with Panang Curry, Fresh Pineapple, and Tomato
The menu indicated that it was spicy, but I asked if it could be made not spicy, and they said it could be made “mild.” It came with rice in a separate container. This dish was delicious with just a hint of spice which was perfect for me.
We didn’t have dessert.