Jessica Sportsman: Chiang Mai Thai

I am always amazed at how richly blessed we are here in the Richmond District. We live in a city complete with wonderful stores, interesting events and businesses of every kind, including some of the best and most diverse restaurants in the city. I can have a fantastic meal of virtually any kind of ethnic food within easy walking distance of my Richmond District flat.

Good prices, welcoming atmospheres and places of longevity are evident on every block. We count on these abundant neighborhood icons to serve our favorite dishes year after year.

This month I write about a local favorite, Chiang Mai Thai. Located on Geary Boulevard near Park Presidio Boulevard, Chiang Mai is coming up on its 20th anniversary in business. I remember trying my first Thai cuisine there while visiting family as a newlywed in the mid-'80s. Gladly, it has not changed much. One of the convenient things about Chiang Mai is that they are open seven days a week and have home delivery service available for dinner.

On site, the restaurant's small, quaint dining room is very cozy and is decorated with traditional Thai art and furniture. The staff is polite and offers delicate but thorough service while maintaining a friendly and inviting atmosphere.

The Chiang Mai lunch menu (available Monday through Friday) features rice and noodle plates that are slightly smaller versions of selected dinner menu items for very reasonable prices, around $6. The large selection of dinner offerings includes appetizers and salads, soups, curries, poultry, beef, pork, seafood, vegetarian dishes, noodles and special chef's favorite selections. There is a dish for every desire and diners are always welcome to specify the level of "heat," or spiciness, of their dish.

During my last trip to chiang Mai, I started off with Tom Kha Gai, the classic chicken coconut milk soup that is laden with exotic flavors, such as galangal, straw mushrooms, sweet onions, lime juice, cilantro, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. I guess some people would say the flavors are a bit pungent, but for me it is a most awesome chicken soup. The tender poached chicken is skinless and boneless resulting in a rich soup broth. The dish will serve at least two people and at $6.95, it is a great deal.

Being a genuine peanut sauce lover, I also ordered the Param Long Srong Nuer. This tasty mix of thin sliced beef, green beans, cabbage and spinach is topped with a generous amount of spicy peanut sauce. The blend is heady, hearty, satisfying and has an amazing burst of flavor. The large portion feeds at least two people for $8.95. The deep-fried pompano is one of the more expensive offerings, but is well worth the price of $11.95. The whole flounder is flash deep fried until the skin is crispy and tasty. The resulting thin layer of flaky, sweet white fish is easily fileted from the bone and the whole dish is topped with a spicy chili basil sauce.

To complete your meal, order the traditional white sticky rice, wine, beer or Thai iced tea. Thai desserts are available as a finale.

Chiang Mai Thai
5020 Geary Blvd., near Park Presidio Boulevard
Phone: (415) 387-1299

Jessica Sportsman is president of Spec Print Experts.