Thai food was never a big draw for me, though admittedly that’s because I really didn’t know much about Thai cuisine. Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft is a great place for Thai newbies. Recently named one of the best Thai restaurants in the US by Travel + Leisure, Tuk Tuk concentrates on new flavors of gourmet Thai street food, usually with complex tastes that mix sweet and spicy. Tuk Tuk keeps things traditional for Thai lovers, but still manages to throw in a twist for those who like to be a bit more experimental. The environment is fun and lively. The tuk tuk that welcomes you in the restaurants elevator lobby (pics encouraged) lets you know immediately that the guests’ experience is important.
Cocktail: Tuk Tuk Martini
The bar at Tuk Tuk definitely keeps things fresh. On my visit, the bartender insisted we try seasonal martini with pomegranate and lime. It had been a very hot day and this cocktail hit the spot. I definitely had to make a concerted effort to pace myself because this little bevy went down like juice. Next time I’m at Tuk Tuk, I really want to try the Black Mojito and/or the Kra Pow.
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Appetizers: Nuah Ping & Kanom Jeeb
The appetizers and small plates are so delicious and varied that it can be a challenge not to go wild and order one of everything. But in order to pace yourself, I’d recommend, at the very least, the Nuah Ping (skewered beef) and the Kanom Jeeb (chicken and shrimp dumplings). The dumplings are light and sweet while the skewers are sticky and savory. Together they hit all of the necessary flavor profiles.
Main Event: Pad Zee U
While I have loved everything that I have ever ordered at Tuk Tuk, the one dish that I always go back for over and over again is the Pad Zee U with pork. The sticky noodles, with the sweet soy sauce and the savory pork is a perfect dish all the way around. If you could only order one thing at Tuk Tuk, this is the dish for you.
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Dessert: Green Tea Ice Cream on Sticky Rice
As a special surprise on my last visit, our table was gifted with a special dessert. At first, the addition of sticky rice with the ice cream seemed a bit odd, but the genius of it was found towards the end of the dish. The Green Tea Ice Cream was a welcome palate cleanser, light and refreshing. As the ice cream melts over the sticky rice, it starts to almost form a rice pudding, so the dessert ends a bit more substantially than it began.
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