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Friday, Jul. 10, 2009

Asian heat: Kai Thai spices up midstate

Having a craving for something different? Milledgeville’s Kai Thai restaurant, which is off U.S. 441 in the Wal-Mart shopping center and offers both dine-in and takeout, is bringing some of Thailand’s favorites across the world for your pleasure.

The restaurant itself is rather small, but limited seating didn’t seem to be a problem. When I was there, most of the restaurant was open. Takeout seemed to be the option of choice for almost everyone who came in. The décor was typical — pictures and tapestries of Asia — and could’ve used a more creative scheme. But I did fall in love with their very original check-out counter: a tiki hut.

The menu has a variety of options for just about anyone. Thai spring roll, $3.25; tofu triangles, $3.95; and Thai Dumplings called Kanom Jeeb, $3.95, are among the choices for starters.

A couple of their salads sounded appetizing. Nam Tok, featuring marinated beef slices, onions and scallions tossed in lime dressing and roasted ground rice, for $6.95, was my favorite. There was also the Som Tum, which was a papaya salad. It’s made from a variety of fruits and vegetables for $5.95.

Of course, they have the usual noodle dishes, including Pad Thai, the traditional noodle dish of Thailand.

The Thai Favorite Entrees are the best things on the menu.

They’re made with your choice of veggies, $7.95; tofu, chicken, pork or beef for $8.95, or shrimp for $10.95.

The spice level can also be custom fit for your palate. You can go all the way from mild to so spicy it’s called the “make you cry.”

A few that sounded really good were the No. 1: Ginger Perfect — sautéed fresh ginger with vegetables in a brown sauce; the No. 3: Garlic Lover — sautéed with garlic and black pepper on top of vegetables; and the No. 9: Spicy Bamboo with Basil Leaves, which is stir-fried bamboo shoots, vegetables and basil leaves in a chili-garlic sauce.

They also offer an assortment of curry dishes and some fried rice plates. I had my eye on the pineapple fried rice.

I ordered the spring rolls and the No. 4 entrée: Pad Kapraw, chicken with Thai basil sauce and medium spice.

The spring rolls were good. They were crunchy and made with a variety of veggies and noodles.

The dipping sauce was to die for. It was sweet and sour sauce with a taste I was fond of, and I don’t usually like sweet and sour sauces. It was a good combination with the roll.

The entrée was my favorite. The spice level was just right, and the flavors blended beautifully together.

And the white rice tones it all down to a more tolerable level for those who can’t handle the heat.

I was very impressed with my meal. The only complaint I could find would be the ginger dressing on my salad — I wasn’t a fan. And the salad overall was weak. But aside from that the meal was a score.

So, if you’re finding yourself in a food slump and your taste buds have got you down, head to Kai Thai for some edible enlightenment — straight from Thailand. Kai Thai

Three and a half stars

Address: 2600 N. Columbia St. Suite C-2, Milledgeville

Phone: (478) 454-1237

Hours: 2:30-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2:30-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday

Health rating: 96

Alcohol: Yes

Vegetarian selections: Yes

Handicapped accessible: Yes

Kids selections: Yes

Reservations: No

Noise: Low