Living in Florida is an experience in itself. Beaches. Sun. Entertainment and more. It is all here waiting for you to enjoy. And it is also a place to eat whenever, and wherever you want. There is plenty of food and styles to choose from. It is in every neighborhood and block. Go down the street and you will pass many varieties to choose from. And, in some places, you will find the same style next door to each other, with different chefs and selections to consider.
One popular style is Thai food. There are several selections within a half mile of me. There have become a few favorites and we knew what to expect. The menu never changed from a traditional American version of Thai food. Until one day we stopped in a new restaurant a few miles from us. Opening the door of the small location we stepped back into a place and a country, I used to work in. This was the Thailand I remember.
This is KAO THAI.
Being here was returning to a country where I knew what to expect, but even more. This was the style of the region, where each cart on the street had individuals cooking the same food items, but each was different as it was based on the cook at the oven making it. It was truly the style of the chef and their recipe for something we take for granted. Kao Thai does this.
A NEW PLACE FOR AUTHENTIC STYLES.
Kao Thai is special in that it uses the unique taste and style of cooking when you travel through Thailand. Go beyond Bangkok and Phuket, and you will see regions that have the same items but in their unique way of making them happen. What you find in the North differs from what you taste in the South. But both have the same ingredients.
The location is small, but we were able to have a table when we arrived. The hostess brought our menus and a glass of water as we started to take a look. One side of the menu is all Thai. The other side takes you over to Japan where you have Sushi, Sashimi, rolls, and more. Because, when in the regions both countries are in you do have combinations of these items. But, each is a bit different.
Of course, the first thing we started with was ordering THAI TEA. This was iced, which is very traditional even when you stop in Bangkok. Here, it is fresh. The tea is perfect. The ice is right. But the sweetness and taste is different than iced tea we get here. This is the way you find it there. And it is fresher. The taste and sweetness is ideal on a warm day. And a good way to start.
After looking at the menu we made our selection and then waited. Everything is freshly cooked in the kitchen, which you can see when sitting. The chef and team are making everything that was ordered. This is not an item that was made and is being heated up. Here, this is truly fresh as they make it as it is being ordered. So, when complete, it is at the right temperature and style as they know based on where they are from in Thailand.
First up for us was the CRISPY TOFU with Peanut Sauce for dipping. The tofu is truly breaded a bit and friends accordingly. Nothing else. The cubes are perfect so that you can pick one up and eat it with one bite. That is it. Of course, you want to dip it in the peanut sauce dip. This dip alone can be used on a slice of bread for breakfast. It is freshly made and just sweet enough as it is in the Southern part of Thailand. This is a good compliment to Thai Tea.
Along with this, we decided on a TUNA MAKI roll wrapped in Nori sheet. The tuna was fresh that day. The rice was ideal since it is cooked in the traditional style. There is no spice as you have soy sauce to dip it in. It is all there.
We also had SPRING GARDEN ROLLS. This was freshly made in a stuffed paper lettuce leaf and filled with carrots, mint, cucumber, and some peanut sauce. It also had a few pieces of freshly cooked shrimp to add flavor and weight. Just a dip in soy sauce and you have what is expected when having this. It was a good way to start and have something simple before trying something more.
THE MAIN REASON HERE TO ENJOY.
When the first appetizers were finished we waited to see what the next course would bring. And we did not have to wait too long for that. With a few items brought to the table, the meals began to arrive. From traditional, as expected, to a selection that is very unique and you do not find in other Thai locations. These were the meals that were recommended to us by the team. They were very special and cooked by the owners.
The first to arrive was the KAO KOOK KA PI. This is a special combination of shrimp fried rice, vegetables, caramelized pork belly, Thai sweet sausage, onions, egg, apple slices, and string beans. It is very different. This collection was developed in several ways and then placed in the combination on the plate that was different. I had not seen this since leaving Thailand several years ago. I had it at a local restaurant there, and then at a Buddhist temple kitchen. Totally unexpected that I would have it here and take a bite. It was exactly the same as before. It was fresh. It had a flavor. A little spice. But a quality that is different if you try it.
Next, we had, GANG KHEW WHAN, which is a Green Curry that you do not find in many places. It is another specialty of Thailand. The curry is creamy and warm. There is a touch of spice within it. It is mixed with vegetables, eggplant, peppers, and string beans. It had an addition of tofu as well, which is ideal for curry. It was also served with white rice. The taste was perfect. The seasoning is great. The flavor was wonderful with a little rice to balance it.
Being in Kao Thai meant having another regional delicacy that you can only find when you are in the southern part of Thailand. KA NOM JEEN NAM YA (Southern Thai Curry Noodles), is a special dish to ask for. It is truly made the way you would have it there. It is a combination of pureed tuna in yellow coconut curry, string beans, pickled mustard, and a mix of some vegetables. This is what you would find in a home. But here it is a special meal to try and enjoy. The seasoning is perfect. A bit of spice. But then it becomes something to totally enjoy at one taste with fresh noodles.
Another special dish arrived and it is PAD KEE MAO. This is another traditional dish with a spicy touch added to it. It is wide rice noodles that are stir-fried with chili basil sauce. This is then combined with bell peppers, onions, sliced small corn, and some shredded chicken. The seasoning gives it the flavor you normally find when in Thailand in a local community or home. It is a pleasant taste to enjoy.
Of course, there is PAD THAI. Stir-fried rice noodles, eggs, bean sprouts, scallions, and a dash of ground peanuts. You can add some hot sauce to give you more flavor if that is what you wish. It adds a bit more taste to the dish that is mostly known by everyone who tries a taste with Thai food.
For a few individuals, there was more, and this was a try at the various flavors and tastes and spices and recipes. All for a variety of regions, cultures, and tastes. It was a perfect meal to share when being with others.
A FINAL COURSE IN EATING
As the main courses were completed we needed to have one more dish to try. Dessert. Naturally, you could have what is available. But to have something you would find in Thailand is wonderful.
We went with the specialty of MANGO BLACK STICKY RICE. We might all know of rice pudding. And we know there are various ways of creating it. We also know that when in Bangkok you might try this but it is white, with some white milk added. But, being here in Kao Thai it was cooked a certain way to make it warm and darker in colors. Then it was topped with sliced mangos that were at room temperature. It was sweet, tasty, and firm, with a touch of the flavor of mango.You can share this as a simple dessert after the meals you shared. It is a good way to finish a meal that takes you to a place many do not know of. Perfect taste on all levels.
KAO THAI TAKES YOU BACK TO THAILAND. HERE.
Kao Thai brings authentic taste with a modern twist on classic dishes. Family-owned, it was founded by two inspired people from the Northern and Southern parts of Thailand. They are passionate about cooking with fresh and high-quality ingredients to perfect the authentic taste of Thai cuisine. Together, they feature their local popular dishes on the menu, combining dishes into one meal with tastes, styles, spices, and more.
The atmosphere here is simple and plain. The importance is the meal and the guests who visit to enjoy a special way to eat the food of Thailand. The team is helpful and will help you understand new items you might never have tried or experienced. If you have any special requests, they will inform the chefs and help adjust to provide you with what you can eat. The chefs are in the kitchen, which you can see on the other side of the counter as they cook, prepare, and plate the dish for you to receive warm and fresh.
The menu does have a selection to try today, and maybe for the next time you visit. There are many guests who live in the area and arrive all the time to have their special meal for the week. The portions for each meal are perfect. The prices are proper. That is good.
Kao Thai is a special place that reminds me of having spent time working in Thailand. It is like being back to places I would eat all the time when being there. Places not found in a fancy tourist location, but in the local markets and areas where people in the neighborhood would go to have a meal that was typical and special. And that is special to know.
Kao Thai is Thai. Here.
Location:
KAO THAI
7199 66th St N
Pinellas Park, FL 33781Phone: (727) 350-3722
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