Meal at Chaing Mai Kitchen, Oxford #fb
Meal at Chaing Mai Kitchen, OxfordInbox 0 minutes ago Show details Robin Mayfield to Robin Due to one mundane reason after another it was quite late by the time we got to the middle of Oxford last night. Hungry and tired I proposed to Nikki that we grab a McD's head back home and watch a movie. Well, she wasn't having any of that and suggested we head towards Chaing Mai Kitchen.
We hadn't been there for about five years when a couple of friends were having a leaving party before heading back to the the States. Since working at Chaing Mai as waiter about 17 years ago I have had a place in my heart for Thai food that has been disappointed at nearly every opportunity to eat at a Thai restaurant. Lamb curry (Maasaman?) is about my defacto dish in most places as that is usually palatable to excellent - depending in equal parts on the quality of the food and my emotional state.
Chaing Mai doesn't do Lamb curry, being a purist Thai place (apparently, Thai's hate lamb considering it too pungent).
What it does do - and I hence heartly recommend - is the best Pad Thai, the awesomest Pork with Long Beans (#32) and the clon-donking-est Mieng Gai (#1). They also do the sublime Fried Trout in Red Curry sauce, but Nikki doesn't think she likes it so we only get it when with friends.
See - http://www.chiangmaikitchen.co.uk/mainmenu.html
Chaing Mai is housed in the old police house off the high Street down a really narrow alley. The sort that are - for good reason - almost extinct from the UK. The venue gives it an oddly cosy feel, with the uneven stairs and exposed window frames and floor boards.
We sat down at 9 and were eating at not more that 9.15. It was marvelous. I cannot remember the last time I made nearly rude noises enjoying my food. Sounds of satisfaction eminated from our table (not that we would have been noticed due to the large party across from us making a fair hulabaloo).
A thoroughly enjoyable meal was finished off with a pleasant conversation with the Thai waiter on the restaurant's history (apparently sold 5 years ago, but still has the same head chef). The off to the car with full tummy and a wife happy that she knew what would calm her grumpy husband.
I commend this eatery to the reader!
