Introducing your new favorite restaurant: Thai Basil.

I've been frequenting Thai Basil for some time now, but today as I sat across the table from my most handsome lunch companion (Spencer) I thought, "Hey, I should tell my blogging friends about this place!" Isn't that sweet how I think of you?

Anyway, Thai Basil is owned by the chef, and she is very good! Although I don't know exactly what makes the food "modern" I probably would have described it in the same way. Perhaps it is the absolute freshness of the food. It is colorful and abundant, never mushy, and full of flavor. She does not use MSG and the menu, though possibly Americanized, is not limited to the standard Thai-American fare. For instance, she makes a Three Flavor Snapper with Pomegranite Sauce and Teriyaki Sauteed Chicken on a bed of Sweet Potatoes and Fresh Vegetables. Exotic, no?

Of course, our favorites are Pad Thai (rice noodles tossed with eggs, cabbage, carrots, scallions, sprouts, peanuts, tofu and chicken and seasoned with tamarind, palm sugar and fish sauce) and Panang Curry Chicken (chicken with spicy coconut milk, red bell peppers, peas and carrots). We order one of each, share them, eat until we're full and then take half home for lunch the next day!

Some people are afraid to try Thai food because they've heard it is spicy and/or it is weird. Well, unless you ask for spicy at Thai Basil, your food will have a mild flavor. That's what we get and we love it. As for weird? I don't think you'll find anything you don't recognize at Thai Basil. It is mainly chicken or shrimp with rice, noodles or vegetables. I hope you'll give it a try and let me know what you think!