Did you know that there’s a Cha Baa Thai on “the other side of the bridge”? Yep, neither did I.

That is, until I started working in the area. Turns out, this is quite a popular lunch spot for the worker bees in Burnside.

According to Google (the most reputable source around), the second location actually opened in June 2010. So it’s not new. But it’s new to me!

I’ve only been twice since I started working in the area (which I think shows remarkable self-restraint, on my behalf). But last Friday, after much debate, friends and I finally settled on Thai for our lunch date, and I recommended the Burnside location of Cha Baa Thai (since they were gracious enough to come and meet me!)

We arrived at 1 p.m. to a packed house: people lined up, waiting for tables, and another line stretching down the counter of people waiting to pay.

I groaned inwardly, then noticed my dining companions had already snagged a table.

Then, we settled in for a (long) wait. After what seemed like forever, we realized we had gotten lost in the shuffle, so I sidled up to the counter and politely informed the server that we had been sitting and waiting for about 20 minutes. She was apologetic, explaining that they had gotten a larger than usual lunch rush, and immediately popped over to our table to take our orders.

I quickly settled on the Masaman Curry Beef lunch combo: tender strips of beef served in a creamy, rich and spicy masaman curry sauce, loaded with chunks of tender sweet potato, onions and peanuts ($10).  The combo comes with a bed of rice, and a fried spring roll, which really is an ample serving, and great value for $10. The dish is plated simply and thoughtfully on a large white plate, allowing plenty of room for mixing up the beef mixture with the rice.

One of my friends opted for the Panang Curry Beef, which I had the first time I visited Cha Baa Thai in Burnside. It’s another beef stirfry dish, but it’s tossed in a red curry with a hint of lime, and served with green beans and peanuts. Again, this combo is served with a side of rice and a spring roll…

The third at our table opted for the Cashew Chicken combo, which consists of stir-fried chicken and veggies in a chili paste sauce, served with rice and a spring roll, as well. In hindsight, I probably should have ordered this, as well, because I suspect there’s far fewer fat/calories in the non-coconut milk-based sauce, and it looked equally delicious:

We all cleaned our plates, which I always consider to be the true sign of a successful meal. The low spot in the experience was definitely sitting unnoticed for so long, but our server made up for that failing as soon as we spoke up. And, the 20 minute wait gave us some time to chat and catch up! So, it wasn’t the end of the world…

I’ll definitely return (though I’m going to try and refrain from visiting *too* often!). And a note to my Halifax friends: See?! Burnside isn’t that bad!

Ramen Noodles (with pork medallions, 1/2 hardboiled egg, loads of noodles and corn; $10) The lunch special also came with 2 dumplings, which I neglected to photograph. Sorry!

It’s been a rainy & gray few days in the Halifax area. But I’m not complaining, because I know how badly farmers in this region need the water for their crops.

Still, this is the kind of weather that is much easier to cope with if you have a nourishing bowl of soup: A big, hearty dish that feeds your body and soul, warming you up from the inside out.

Real ramen soup (not the kind that you buy in those cheapie little packets, my Mr. Noodle-loving university friends) is just the ticket for a drizzly day. And thanks to a new restaurant that opened recently on Quinpool Road, Halifax now has access to the real deal.

Truly Tasty opened this summer, offering an assortment of housemade dumplings (pan-fried and boiled, depending on your preference) and delicious noodle dishes.

The menu certainly isn’t extensive, but sometimes, I think simple is best. It usually means the kitchen has these dishes down right, and whatever you order will be good, and good on a consistent basis.

My friend and I opted to try the lunch special ($10) on our visit, which included a big bowl of the House Special Ramen. The broth was rich but not too fatty, and riddled with oodles of fresh, chewy ramen noodles and savoury medallions of BBQ pork floating on top. The yolk from the seasoned hardboiled egg added another layer of creamy flavour the dish, and I soon found myself scooping up the dregs of the big (beautiful) bowl, with my spoon.

The lunch special also comes with your choice of beef or pork dumplings, of which I chose the former. I neglected to take a photo of the dumplings (sorry!), but can attest that those perfect, crispy little pockets were bursting with big flavour. I could have eaten more of them (and I plan to on the next visit!)

We finished off with a small dish of their ice cream (me, green tea; my friend, mango), which was creamy and light, and a refreshing way to end our belly-warming meal.

Summer, to me, is seafood season. It’s almost the only time of year that I will prepare fish at home (I hate how the smell permeates the house and sticks around for days when you broil it in the oven). But during BBQ season, salmon is one of my favourite meals to prepare on the grill.

I usually keep it really simple, wrapping it in foil with lemon, pepper, thin slices of onion and a splash of olive oil, and throwing it onto the barbecue. Served with a side of potatoes or rice and salad, its a fresh, healthy dinner that’s pretty quick to prepare!

Homemade salmon dinner, BBQed with some lemon, onions and pepper, served with wholegrain rice and a summer salad of greens, strawberries, avocado, apples and almonds.

You all know how I feel about sushi (I can’t get enough of it, really). So on a sunny afternoon last week, my bro and I headed to my favourite sushi spot, Hamachi Kita, for a feed.

I ordered the Hurricane Roll and their chirashi, which is a very generous assortment of daily fish/seafood served on a bed of sushi rice:

Their chirashi (an assortment of daily fish/seafood served on a bed of sushi rice; $13.99)

I also ordered their Hurricane Roll, which is essentially the Halifax Roll (salmon, tuna, shrimp and cucumber) with some tempura bits thrown in to add a crunchy texture:

The Hurricane Roll is the spicy Halifax roll (Salmon, tuna, shrimp & cucumber) with with tempura bits rolled in; $7.99.

Ben, on the other hand, decided to try Bento #7, which offers you the choice of a Thai spring roll, salad roll, green curry puffs, chicken wonton or chicken satay; sweet and sour chicken, Thai barbeque chicken, lemongrass chicken or garlic ginger chicken; spicy salmon and 3pc spicy tuna roll, as well as house salad with ginger carrot dressing. He also ordered a roll, but to be honest, I was so excited about my lunch, I failed to note which one he chose:

He sure looks happy about it though, doesn’t he?!

Most of you know about my passion for Thai cuisine: The fresh flavours of lemongrass and cilantro; the odd kick of chili; a cold, perfectly wrapped shrimp salad roll; and, of course, a steaming bowl of tom yum soup.

I’m not even hungry right now, and writing about my favourite Thai dishes makes me want to sharpen a pair of chopsticks and head up to Hamachi Kita.

But I’ll restrain myself (for now); This actually isn’t another ode to Thai cuisine.

I recently discovered a new (to me) Vietnamese joint. Tucked away in the lower level of that newish building next to the YMCA on South Park Street, you might never notice the tiny storefront of Indochine Bahn Mi. I know I hadn’t.

In fact, I haven’t heard much about this place. Which strikes me as odd, because it’s pretty damn good!

They describe their menu as “a unique fusion of Asian inspired flavours that will satisfy the palates of ethnic food lovers, vegetarians and those seeking a healthy alternative to traditional fast-food.”

Since discovering this little gem two weeks ago, I’ve actually visited twice to indulge in their beef pho (for all you Vietnamese newbies, it’s actually pronounced “fuh.” See here for a ridiculously detailed explanation, including audio).

I add a dash of hoisin sauce and sriracha, stir it up, and inhale deeply to appreciate the bright aroma of the broth. First, a bite of vermicelli noodle, cilantro and bean sprouts *crunch*… take a few slurps of the broth. Then, another deep breath.

Hearty, not heavy, this is the type of soup you should feed your body when you’re having a bad day, or are sidelined with a nasty cold. It’s nourishing.

On my most recent visit, I opted for the BBQ chicken Banh Mi combo, with the beef pho, for $8.50. So, in addition to the fragrant soup, I also ordered a 1/2 sandwich on soft, fresh multigrain baguette:

Toasted and topped with a zippy house-made citrus mayo, tangy pickled carrot and daikon, and sweet cucumber and cilantro, this is a seriously refreshing sandwich. Definitely not your average sub.

My dining companion that day (Dad) was seriously hungry when we visited, so he opted for a bowl of the beef pho, AND an order of the Shrimp & Spring Roll Bowl ($9.95):

I would argue that the name of this dish is actually pretty confusing: nary a bowl is in sight, correct? Aside from that, I can find no fault with the food: A tightly-wrapped spring roll is neatly sliced on the bias and presented with plump, marinated shrimp on a bed of lettuce, cilantro, noodles, carrot, cucumber and bean sprouts.

Their website (which mysteriously does not display the letter “n” on my browser, at least) boldly claims that “Vietnamese is the new Thai.” Now, I’m not sure any other Asian cuisine will top Thai in my books, but the more subdued flavours of Indochine Bahn Mi do come pretty close!

I love Mexican food: Not the bland, overly-cheesy, North American-styled bastardization of the real thing. But the spicy, good stuff. Like tamales, chile verde, mole, and Cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork). Oh, and don’t forget the tequila.

There are few places that I’ve visited that actually get it right (one of which is Mexico Lindo).

So I was excited to see that another place billing itself as authentic Mexican cuisine had just opened for business.

Cantina Mexicana just opened last week, and it’s already claiming to have the best Mexican food in Halifax. I think they might be getting ahead of themselves a bit.

Located on South Park St., just up from the Smiling Goat, the space is vibrant and welcoming, with music playing and friendly staff waiting to take your order at the counter.

I had checked out their website before visiting (hey, I do my homework!), and saw that, in addition to a selection of burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, salads and bowls, they offer a lunch special: “From enchiladas to ceviche, these meals are made daily from fresh ingredients with recipes from our Cantina Mexican cookbook.” Unfortunately, on the day I visited, I asked for the daily lunch special, and was offered a bewildered stare in return.

Okay then.

(Disclaimer: This place only opened a week before my visit. To be fair, there are likely quite a few kinks that have to be worked out. I plan to visit again in a few weeks’ time, but hopefully, feedback like this will help the owners/management sort some of these little issues out).

I ended up ordered the burrito filled with their cochinita pibil ($8.26), which is braised for hours then pulled and marinated in an achiote chile sauce. I also ordered a side of tortilla chips and fresh guac  ($2.95) to share with my friend, and an iced tea. My order came to around $15, which seemed a wee bit steep, but not unreasonable.

I immediately regretted forking over the extra $3 for the tortilla chips and guacamole:

1. The chips were completely crushed and served in a brown paper bag, rather than presented alongside the burrito, which would be the normal thing to do, really;
2. The portion of guacamole was super small (it was also served in a plastic disposable ramekin);
3. The guacamole wasn’t very good. Sorry, maybe it just wasn’t to our taste, but we agreed that it was bland: all cilantro, no kick of lime or even a dash of salt. Creamy, but forgettable. Try again. If you’re going to bill yourself as the best Mexican place in town, you’d better have some kick-ass guac. What’s really weird is that they have an awesome-sounding recipe for guacamole (two types!) on their website!

The burrito, on the other hand, was pretty solid. Filled with rice, black beans, super succulent pork, and a whole host of other veggies I added on, plus cheese, sour cream, and salsa verde, this has some serious potential. Three suggestions to make them even better, though:

1. Don’t use plastic disposable spoons to fill them. I know you probably just haven’t ordered or received the real ones yet, but it looks bad, and is inefficient.
2. Wrap them a la donair style, so people can unwrap as they eat and they aren’t as crazy-messy (I’m generally pretty good at politely eating even the messiest of fare, but I failed miserably at trying not to get sauce everywhere).
3. Grill them. I know you aren’t down with deep friers (big ups on that), but hook up a panini grill or something, and throw the burritos on for a few minutes before you serve them. It would make a HUGE difference. Mine was lukewarm when I bit into it, and grilling it would make sure cheese is gooey and the fillings are warm.

Anyways, I know it kind of sounds like I didn’t like Cantina Mexicana, but I did. I just think there’s a lot of room for improvement, especially before they can honestly say they have best Mexican food in town. I hope management takes note and makes a few tweaks here and there, because it really could make a world of difference!

A lot of thought and effort has gone into their branding:

And if they put as much effort into the execution and food itself, I think they have a recipe for success!

I was looking for a new place to go for lunch last week, though, and my dad wanted to try the fare at Pavia Gallery, so off we went.

It’s a bit of a trek to get out there (I didn’t realize how far down Herring Cove Road it was), but it’s in a nice area, and the space is very nice: clean, bright, simple. A blank canvas, if you will.

Which is a good thing, because aside from the coffee and food, Pavia also serves as a contemporary fine art gallery, specializing in established and senior artists from throughout Canada and Europe. On the day we went in, the work of UK artist Ian Gilson (who is now living in Herring Cove) and Alison Sanford was on display. I personally love it when a small restaurant or cafe integrates rotating exhibits into their decor: not only does it serve as an interesting focal point for diners, but it really is a way of giving back to the local arts community. It’s a win for everyone!

I was slightly disappointed to see that their food menu had just a few paninis on it — no soups or salads as complements. But I guess this is an espresso bar, so my hopes for lunch were a bit unrealistic.

And it turns out that the focus here really is on quality, not quantity. They’re trying to bring a piece of Italy to the village of Herring Cove.

According to their website: “Whether it is a grilled panino or a freshly baked cornetto, we take great care to provide authentic touches. We currently import all of our espresso from Mokaflor – a Florentine micro-roastery. Our baked goods are baked on-site and use the best quality ingredients.”

I started with a caffe latte:

*Swoon* Creamy, sweet, without a hint of bitterness, and absolutely no sugar needed. Just the way a latte should be. And just $3.25. This latte made me dread the thought of returning to Starbucks (not that Starbucks is the pinnacle of great coffee).

I think there was a bit of confusion with my panini order (or maybe I’m just confused, full stop), but I’m fairly confident that I ordered the Quattro Stagioni (Seasonal grilled vegetables sautéed in balsamic vinegar, goat’s cheese and locally grown spinach; $8), but received the Caprese (Fresh mozzarella layered with locally grown tomatoes and fresh basil which is then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil; $8). Not really a big deal, because I was debating between the two, but odd, nonetheless.

The little spinach leaves added a nice pop of colour to the plate, though they were a bit of an odd garnish (do you eat them? Plain? I did). The bread was grilled to a perfect golden crunch on the outside, while the inside was just slightly soggy (a fact that I attribute to the tomatoes). Speaking of the tomatoes, they were fresh and flavourful, and, as usual, the perfect thing to pair with fresh basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella. I savoured every single bite of this sandwich, as I sipped my latte.

Dad seemed to enjoy his drip coffee and panini as well (he opted for the Nuova Scotia, which is filled with ham, aged cheddar cheese, and Tangled Garden’s basil wine jelly, for $9), and we also bought a sumptuous-looking brownie creation to take home to the dessert queen (aka my mother).

All it all, it was a lovely little lunch. Nothing fancy, and not a whole lot of options, but sometimes simple is best.

Some of you may know that I have a brother who is studying to be a chef (I come by my food obsession honestly). Ben had been working in the kitchen of the Wooden Monkey for a few months now, but decided to head off into the woods for another summer of tree planting (he’s a glutton for punishment, apparently: I couldn’t live in a tent for three months… Absolutely not).

But Ben loves it: I think he’s a bit of a wild man at heart (and once you see his hair, you’ll see why).

Anyways, I loves my bro, and before he headed out into the wilderness again, we went to lunch. I let him pick the spot (having two food freaks in the family makes for difficult restaurant selection, sometimes), and he opted for Moda Urban Dining, located just across from Pete’s Frootique on Dresden Row.

It’s been on my hit list of places to visit, so I happily obliged.

The dining room was completely empty when we arrived, which freaked me out a bit (though it was around 1 p.m., so we’d probably just missed the lunch rush). We were immediately seated at a table directly in front of the main window: a perfect perch for people-watching.

Our server was lovely and attentive, taking our drink orders immediately (though we both just opted for water), and clearing menus so they didn’t clutter up the table top.

I must say, I was digging the vibe at Moda: they’ve worked with some of the classic features of the building (large windows, high ceilings and ceiling medallion) and thrown in abstract, modern artwork to give it a hip vibe. Very nice. There’s also plenty of natural light, which made for decent photos!

Little touches, like cucumber in the water and butcher’s paper on the linen table cloths, demonstrated good attention to detail, and made for a sophisticated setting, without a whole lot of fuss. My style.

I almost choked when Ben ordered the club sandwich (seriously? I bet Kevin told him to do this just to piss me off). Now, the club sandwich is one of the offerings on their “Business Lunch” menu, which is essentially a list of their quicker lunchtime offerings for professionals who can’t take a leisurely lunch and need to get back to the office. For just $15, you can choose between five different dishes, and you also get a cup of their daily soup and chocolate chip cookies, to go. That is excellent value, if you ask me…

Anyways, Ben seemed pleased with his club:

And I guess that’s what really matters, right??

We were discussing what one can do to elevate a club sandwich to the level of fine dining standards (the menu said it was Moda’s “take on the classic club”, which I thought was rather vague), and I posited that, perhaps, it starts with the bread. He eyed his sandwich dubiously and said the he doubted this was artisanal bread, but that the chicken was perfectly seasoned and very well cooked. I would have expected some focaccia or fougasse to fancy it up, but hey, sometimes, simplicity is key, and a well-cooked chicken breast can make all the difference.

He looked a bit silly with his wee cup of pureed roasted carrot, garlic and cumin soup, but he slurped it back with satisfaction.

I decided to try their Seafood Medley (mussels, shrimp, scallops and haddock in a rose sauce, served over basmati rice and vegetables; $17).

How lovely does that look?! There were generous portions of seafood, and the rose sauce added another level of richness to the dish (it was perfectly seasoned). But, I wasn’t as impressed by the rice. It appeared to be saffron-infused, but it was pretty flavourless, and really paled in comparison to the creamy sauce and plump, perfectly cooked morsels of seafood.

All told, we had a lovely lunch experience at Moda, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a great place to try for your next mid-day meal.

Dear Boneheads BBQ folks,

I am sending some serious big love your way. You, my friends, make some mean meat. This is some of the best BBQ I’ve had in a long time.

Now, I’m no pro when it comes to grilling, myself, but I’ve had the opportunity to interview a few people who don’t mess around with meat (Canadian BBQ championships in Whistler: if you haven’t been, you really should go):

Fire up the barbie

Where there’s smoke…

Get ready for real BBQ

I was vaguely aware that another new BBQ joint had opened up downtown (I’ve been to Q’s Smokehouse and do plan to visit the one that just opened in Dartmouth Crossing), but hadn’t heard a whole lot about it. But the other day, my brother asked if I’d been yet. When I said I hadn’t, he insisted that I visit. Now, Ben likes to eat as much, if not more, than I do (probably more, as he’s one year into culinary school, and currently works as a cook).

When he makes a recommendation, I tend to take it pretty seriously, so last week, I headed down to grab lunch with my dad.

Located at the south-end of Barrington Street, they’re kind of tucked away and off the main downtown drag, but I suspect they’ll be a favourite with students (that is, if they aren’t already!)

It’s a pretty small space, but they’ve used their square footage effectively and put some thought and effort into creating a fun “BBQ-esque” environment. I especially liked the sign posted on one wall:

On top of the neat little touches like this and the chalkboard walls in the washrooms, they’ve also made sure that each tabletop is well-stocked with a basket of BBQ-related goodies: three types of housemade BBQ sauces, ketchup, salt, pepper and, most importantly, a roll of papertowel affixed the table. Hey, BBQ is a messy business! It’s wise to make sure customers can clean up after a feed.

Now, on the menu: They offer some seriously delicious-sounding platters (I have my eye on the shredded chicken served with cornbread, coleslaw and two sides), but honestly, that sounded like far too much food to tackle at lunch.

So, I opted for the pulled pork sandwich (Classic Southern BBQ, mmm mmm mmm!; $4.99). I was a big fan of this ‘wich: While it had lots of sweet sauce, the natural flavour of the tender morsels of meat wasn’t lost. And the bun was perfect: a wee bit crunchy on the outside, lightly grilled, but fresh and soft on the inside. It also came served on butcher’s paper, which I think is a really nice touch; hey, presentation matters, people!

Dad went with the beef brisket sandwich (sliced Texas st yle; $5.99), and while I failed to trade a bite for a bite with him, he gobbled up every bite, so I’m pretty sure he was pleased. We also decided to share a side order of sweet potato chips for an extra $3.49. I raved just the other day about my love for sweet potato fries, but I’d never had a sweet potato chip, so I figured, “What the hell?” I wasn’t disappointed. They were crispy, aside from one or two that maintained a bit of chewiness (which I actually didn’t think was bad), and they weren’t oversalted or seasoned, as I feared they might be. They were also served with this delicious creamy, cheesy dipping sauce that I’m sure isn’t very good for you… One side was more than enough for the two of us to share (seriously, it was a great big heap of chips), and together, we managed to polish them all off.

While I really loved my lunch, I’ll have to go back to test out the BBQ staples that determine if a BBQ joint is a true BBQ joint: the coleslaw, cornbread and cobbler.

And I might even try these (hey, it’s for a good cause, right?!):

Au contraire.

I remembered Michael’s Bar & Grill from back in the day (my parents used to take me and my bro there for a bite when we were younger), and decided that, because of Kevin’s affinity for all club sandwiches, he would probably like it there.

Michael’s has undergone some major changes since the days of its nautical-inspired decor (does anyone else remember this?!): the dining room is still massive, but the decor simple, understated, relaxed. I understand they’re also a popular music venue these days (at least, according to the listings pages of The Coast and my Facebook feed). Their menu, however, doesn’t appear to have really changed too much, and I think that’s probably a good thing. They generally seem to stick with the basic pub fare, and they do it well. Portions are generous, food is fresh, and prices are reasonable. I’m down with all that.

We went for lunch a few weeks ago, on a day that we’d been running around like weirdos doing renovation-related stuff, and had worked up quite an appetite. Time was of the essence, as well, so we were relieved to see that the restaurant was quiet when we arrived.

I ordered the Michael’s burger, a 6 oz. patty of seasoned ground beef topped with cheese, crispy bacon strips, lettuce tomato, pickle(s!), onion and their own signature house sauce on a kaiser bun, served with a side of their frigging fabulous sweet potato fries!

Now, if you share my love of all things sweet potato, you’ve really got to try these: I’m sure they’re not hand-cut or anything, but they’re perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and tossed in cinnamon sugar (I know it sounds really weird, but I swear to God, it’s amazing). Plus, they’re served with an unusual curried dipping sauce, which creates a pleasant contrast to the sweetness of the fries themselves. While the burger was moist and flavourful, I would have traded half of it for more of the fries…

Kevin decided to go with the Classic Club (surprise, surprise!): roasted turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheese on white bread; $10). He also opted for the sweet potato fries, and seemed to enjoy them just as much as I did, as he quickly polished off his own and decided to “help” me with mine. What a guy, huh?!

We were both sated and smiling as we toddled out of Michael’s, and Kevin has been asking to go back ever since. That, my friends, is high praise, indeed. I suspect their club sandwich may be put on regular rotation for a while!

I ticked another place off my 2012 list! I’ve got to say, I’m a bit disappointed with my progress so far, but hey, I’ve been busy.

I was not, however, disappointed with my first experience at Modern Orchid. Offering flavours of authentic southeast Asian cuisine (Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipino dishes), Modern Orchid adds some much-needed diversity to Halifax’s Asian cuisine scene. And while I happen to think it’s great to be able to pick and choose between curries, chow meins and more, I do think they may be running the risk of being overly ambitious with the size and scope of their menu. I snagged one of their take-away menus when I left, and it’s lengthy. Like, overwhelmingly so. In the appetizer category, there are 19 different options (including french fries; WTF?). That’s just silly.

I couldn’t seem to find a website for the restaurant, which means my Googling skills were subpar, or they don’t have one (I’m pretty sure they just don’t have one). And on that note, an aside: Any new restaurant should seriously consider investing in a website. Sure, they can be expensive, but basic sites are actually pretty easy to build (or have built, if you aren’t technically inclined), and add a tremendous value to your business. Why? Well, there are lots of restaurants to choose from, especially in cities, and people like to have a peek at the menu before they trek out to your business, especially if your business is located all the way out in Dartmouth Crossing. Also, in Modern Orchid’s case, they seem to be pretty social media savvy (read: have a Twitter and FB page), so why no website?

Anyways, I seem to have veered off topic, so let’s get things back on track again, shall we?!

The space is clean and modern, much like the name: dark flooring, white walls, black leather chairs, and fake orchids adorn side tables. Sleek; I like it. Not so much a fan of fake flowers, but hey, I know how hard it is to keep orchids alive. There are four very large canvas close-ups of the same flower, hung at different angles. Pretty cool.

Their decor features orchids and other (fake) flowers

But after I’m seated, I’m a bit bummed to find that my table teeters precariously (wobbly tabletops are a big annoyance of mine; they are something that will consistently bother diners, and something wait staff should be paying attention to and adjusting as necessary). Oh well. I try and mentally block it out and flip through the menus.

The lunch menu’s Express Combo is straightforward and offers good variety without being overwhelming: a main dish, curry veg soup, green salad, spring roll, plus your choice of steamed rice or french fries (seriously, french fries need to be taken OFF of this menu. No joking) for $10.95. I choose the rice (obviously) and the spicy coconut beef.

My very friendly server (who shared a knowing look with me when I brought up to the topic of the aforementioned french fries) is very friendly and attentive. She brings over water before she takes my order (good move), and then brings the soup out shortly afterwards.

The lunch special starts with a bowl of curry soup

The soup is kind of *meh*: There’s a bit of warmth from the curry, but no real depth or substance. Still, a good way to warm up for a meal, and really, anything heavier would likely be too filling. The presentation is beautiful (big fan of the bowls).

My main arrives a few minutes after the server takes away my soup bowl:

Spicy coconut beef with rice, spring roll, and salad; $10.95

Again, beautiful presentation! Neat, tidy, appetizing. But how does it taste?

Fabulous! The spring roll is perfection: obviously cooked in hot, fresh oil, the wrapper is thin and perfectly crisp, chock-full of vermicelli noodles, cabbage and other perfectly-seasoned veggies. I could have eaten a whole plate!

The salad, I’m sad to say, was an entirely different story. If you’re going to bother to do something, do it right. Chopping up some romaine lettuce and carrots and dumping some chili sauce on top as “dressing” is not very appetizing.

I did, however, save the best for last: the spicy coconut beef was divine. Chunks of tender beef and still-crunchy veggies swim in the sauce, a rich, creamy concoction with just a slight hint of heat (to be honest, I would ask for a bit more spice next time). I folded the accompanying rice in by the spoonful, and savoured every . single . bite. *swoon*

My spicy coconut beef dish was creamy with a bit of a kick, and loaded with tender chunks of beef

Sure, my experience at Modern Orchid wasn’t perfect, but this dish was more than enough to make me overlook the wobbly table, unwieldy menu and that sad, sad salad.