Neecha 2005.09.03 -- ***

Today we need a break from all the "white food". So we come to this place, my friend's favorite thai place, but duly noting his limited thai excursions in the city. The typical miserable SF weather greets us as we crossed over the bridge, all the less desirable in contrast to the sunny napa valley from whence we came.

The setting: typical thai decoration, real thai servers and cooks (we peeked in the kitchen), very cool paintings on the wall from the works of one of the chefs (or former chef). He's got the same idea as I do!

1. Tod Man (Fish Cake). Six generous slabs of my fav thai opener, good classic flavor and texture.

2. Gai Lahb. Quintessential thai chili-lime salad with meat bits. Not enough kick, both in terms of spice or sourness.

3. Vegie Tom Yum Soup. See salad.

4. Deep fried prawns with spice oil. House special. Large shrimp attached to their shell by the tails, deep fried until the crustacean curls into a ball, dipped in black pepper oil with shell on. I like it, my friend doesn't. The shell crunchs just like prawn chips; the shrimps are juicy and scrumptious. The sauce perhaps can be something stronger, as the shrimp itself has little seasoning.

5. Grilled Lamb. Daily special. And they do mean "daily" literally because my friend says it is available all the time. A typical lamb grill, with a toned down indian flavoring.

A decent, neighborly thai joint (as indicated by the presence of black diners). But next time, we are going to my favorite place, Thep Phanon.

$26 all incl.