Sa-wad-dee, Meridian's Thai Restaurant

Sa-wad-dee in Meridian was a favorite stop of ours a few years ago. Then we sort have got out the habit of going there and moved on to other venues. We returned last week to experience it again. A few things have changed, they now offer a full menu of Sushi along with a bar.

We have always been impresed with their food presentation, the dishes are garnished with decorative vegatable flourishes or edible flowers. In addition the flat ware and table ware is often unique to each dish and together adds to the dining experience.

We began our meal with tempura vegetables, we recalled from the past it was one of our favorites, on this visit the oil perhaps was not yet up to temperature, as we had arrived just as they had reopened for dinner, the the tempura coating was soft when it arrived at out table and had absorbed more oil than is ideal. Another appetizer we always enjoyed is their fresh rolls, with basil, we are basil lovers and these hit the spot. (We normally requested extra basil.)

We then had Num Tok, (Spicy grilled beef salad.). With a mixture of leafy greens topped with lime juice, rice powder, chili powder,touch of cilantro and mint this was quite an enjoyable dish. Unfortunately it did not reach it's potential as the beef was not as thin sliced as it should have been nor was it noticeably grilled which would have topped the flavor off.

Our main course consisted of pad thai and panang curry. The pad thai is one of the reasons we moved on to other Thai restaurants, when these owners took over they originally offered two variations of pad thai. One is quite sweet and the other more of the smokiness imparted from a hot wok without the sweetness, they since combined into one offering resulting in a sweeter version. While I can enjoy both versions, my wife really dislikes the sweetness in pad thai.

The panang curry mixed with coconut milk with choice of meat  along with a mixture of vegetables was delicious both at the restaurant and the next day. This a combination that I really enjoy.

We were too stuffed to get one one our favorite desserts, sticky rice with mango. It is a combo of special rice, sweet coconut flavored sauce with sesame seeds  served with mango on the side. It is a masterpiece of dessert eating.

Sa-wad-dee's menu is extensive and service was very attentive. So if you are looking for Thai cuisine in Meridian you should give them a try.

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