Sukho Thai

Located in the Marigny just four blocks from our publisher's home office, Sukho Thai is a relatively well kept secret for local Thai fanatics. No one is more addicted to curry than I am, but when at Sukho Thai I usually branch out beyond the typical pad thai and curry menu items. If I am downtown and in the mood for some spice during lunch, I go the extra step and drive out to Sukho Thai rather than settle for Singha Thai on Carondelet.

There. I said it. Singha Thai is not good. It's really not. If you don't feel like driving, fine. I understand. Walk over to Panasia in the bottom of the Place St. Charles Hotel. But why so many people go to Singha Thai, I will never understand.

Anyway, here a few photos from Sukho Thai, courtesy of The Folk Singer.

I almost always start a Thai meal with the spicy chicken and coconut milk soup that is Tom Kha. Sukho Thai's version has a more pronounced lemongrass flavor than others.

This is the Appetizer Sampler (from top to bottom): the signature "Shrimp in a Pouch" with plum dipping sauce, deep fried vegetable spring rolls, and the (not-so-Thai) Ahi Katsu Roll - sushi grade tuna coated in bread crumbs and flash fried. The Katsu Roll is innovative for a Thai restaurant, but something seems wrong with deep frying such high quality tuna. On the other hand, I could eat about a dozen of those pouches.

Waterfall Beef is probably the second most popular item on the menu. It's a cold dish of seared beef flavored with the tartness lime juice and the sweetness of Thai basil.

One more thing you should know: Sukho Thai is BYOB. So don't forget to bring along a bottle of wine or an ice chest full of Singha beer. We won't judge.

Finally, don't forget that the New York Season of Top Chef premieres tonight.