Lakewood's Thai Kitchen

It's my wedding week!!!! Eeekkk, how did that happen? That also means that December is just creeping by, and I have some restaurants left on my 2014 To Dine challenge list. So, let's talk about one today...Thai Kitchen.

Located in Lakewood, on Madison Avenue, it's a cute little place that you might miss driving down the street. It was a weeknight, so we easily found a parking spot at a meter directly in front of the restaurant. It's small and cozy inside (only about six tables), with wonderful Thai smells wafting from the kitchen.

"R" started with a hot tea. I recommend the lemongrass or ginger, because they are house-cut. The restaurant offers daily specials, but I was drawn to a couple of my favorite go-to dishes, since this was our first time dining there.

We shared an order of the Thai Kitchen Fresh Rolls with fresh basil, cilantro, lettuce, and mint leaves rolled in rice paper and served with their homemade sweet chili sauce. You have your choice of adding vegetables, chicken, shrimp, or a combination. We wanted shrimp, and an order of two rolls was $4,99.

While Minh Anh's version of this roll remains my favorite (I could bathe in that peanut dipping sauce), this was a close second.

I ordered the Tom Kar soup, one of my favorite Thai things to order. This soup is with coconut milk, Chinese lettuce, galangal, lemongrass, sweet onion, lime juice, and lime leaf. You have the choice of a Small Bowl or Big Bowl, and diners can add chicken, tofu, or shrimp. I selected chicken, and a Small Bowl for $3.50.

It was a chilly and wet night in Cleveland, so this hit the spot. A little more lime would have won me over, but otherwise this was a very good version of my favorite Thai soup.

For my main dish, I stuck with my tried-and-true classic of Keang Musamun ($11.99 with shrimp and white rice). Musamun is a mild curry with a sweet and sour taste, tamarind sauce, peanuts, potatoes, sweet onion, and coconut milk. You order your own spice level, but beware that they suggest ordering at least two levels lower than what you're used to ordering at other Thai restaurants.

The dish was swimming in sauce, and a little less would have been preferred. It was quite a big plate of food, and I happily took leftovers home. I think my favorite version of this curry is from Thai Gourmet in Independence, but this probably took home "second place" in my mind.

They've won quite a few awards and recognition, like Cleveland Magazine's Silver Spoons, Cleveland Hot List Best of 2014, etc. and it's easy to see why. Overall, they do a nice job. The food was tasty, hot, and served quickly. The staff was knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. The space is small, but inviting, cheerful, and cozy. They appeared to do a ton of takeout. Only one other table of diners were having dinner while we were there, but a parade of people came in and out to grab to-go orders. They are closed on Tuesdays, which is unusual, so plan accordingly.

Thai is one of my favorite cuisines. What's your favorite Thai restaurant in the Greater Cleveland area?

Thai Kitchen
12210 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Oh 44107