Lao Meal at Spicy Thai Lao — Sunday, February 16 at 11am

On Sunday, February 16 at 11am we will have a special Lao meal at Spicy Thai Lao in Burbank, a couple miles south of Midway Airport. No menu details yet but we are asking Kaew to cook whatever Lao-influenced dishes she feels like making. The meal should be balanced but it's a safe bet that some dishes will be fiery. We will specifically ask that things not be dumbed down for timid palates (but we won't beg her to kill us with chilies either). I don't know the price yet but I'm guessing somewhere in the $20s. Bringing beer, wine or spirits is fine and the restaurant has a selection of soft drinks available for purchase. I'll post details when I get them, probably around the beginning of next week. The dining room is small so unfortunately there has to be a limit of 18. If you sign up and haven't canceled by the end of Wednesday the 12th, please consider it a firm commitment (Kaew needs an accurate head count so she can shop). On the way home we could stop at Cremería La Ordeña if there's interest.

1. Rene G
2. Josephine
3. laikom
4. Teresa
5. m'th'su
6. stevez
7. backorforth
8. trixie-pea
9. PIGMON
10. boudreaulicious
11. turkob
12. ronnie_suburban
13. snap203
14. edc
15. petite_gourmande
16. glennpan
17. glennpan guest
18. fropones

Waiting list

1. Cathy2
2.
3.
4.

Love to join you--thanks for setting this up!!

count me in!

I'm in, please.

Thanks,

=R=

Well this sucks . . . I'll be away . . . sorry to miss.

I'm in!

I'm interested in attending.

Thanks,
edc

BR wrote:Well this sucks . . . I'll be away . . . sorry to miss.

We'll be sorry to miss you, too!

Please count me in. Thank you.

Please put me in, Glennpan +1.

Thanks,

Glenn

In please

That makes 18, all the dining room can hold. A waiting list is open now, in case anyone cancels. The menu is still being planned so I probably won't have much more to say until later in the week.

backorforth: you can thank me later, i'm bowing out and opening up a place for you at the table. justjoan

Okay, we have our final 18 people (list is in post #1). If anyone would like to sign up for the waiting list, please do, but I'm assuming nobody will back out at this point. Couldn't hurt to get on the list though.

Spicy Thai Lao is in Burbank at 5357 S State Rd (a diagonal street), a couple miles south of Midway Airport. It's a few blocks northeast of 79th & Central, in a small strip mall with a parking lot in front. Be aware that all north-south streets between Cicero and Harlem are interrupted by a train yard from about 65th to 73rd. Traffic on Cicero south of Midway was horrendous last Sunday afternoon so plan accordingly.

Here's a tentative menu that Kaew sent me. I think we'll have egg rolls to munch on before the meal. BYOB is encouraged. Should be a great meal.

Appetizers

Lao style chicken wings — Fried chicken wings pre-marinated in tamarind, langa root, lime leaf, lemon grass, white pepper, and dried Thai chilies; served with a Lao style dipping sauce and fresh cucumber.

Lao style cucumber salad — Fresh sliced cucumber mixed with tamarind juice, lime juice, garlic, and dried Thai chilies.

Lao style beef jerky — Beef strips marinated in black sauce, sesame seeds, salt, sugar, garlic, white pepper, and sesame oil.

Soups

Kow tome — A Northeastern soup usually eaten for breakfast, made with garlic, cilantro, onion, and rice.

Lao style tom yum chicken soup — Made with langa root, lemon grass, lime leaf, basil, rice powder, green onion, and ma-gwen spice.

Salads

Jackfruit salad — Young jackfruit, rice powder, fish sauce, onion, cilantro, basil, tamarind, lime juice, and dried Thai chilies.

Lard neua — Ground beef, rice powder, dried chilies, onion cilantro, basil, fish sauce and lime juice.

Bamboo salad — Bamboo shoots with rice powder, dried chilies, onion, cilantro, basil, fish sauce, and lime juice.

Som tum — Papaya, fish sauce, pala (homemade fish paste), tomatoes, lime juice, tamarind juice, green beans and garlic.

Entrees

Lao style chicken sausage — Homemade sausage made with ground chicken, langa root, lemongrass, lime leaf, salt, Thai chilies, and Lao spices.

Pad cha squid — Young peppercorn, bamboo, ga-chai root, lime leaf, green and red curry, dried Thai chilies, Thai eggplant, bell pepper, and carrots.

Batu lard prik — Fried mackerel topped with dried chilies, garlic, onions, fish sauce, and lime leaf.

Beef pad tamin — Stir fried beef made with turmeric, lime leaf, lemon grass, langa root, bamboo, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers and basil.

Desserts

Coconut ice cream with sticky rice

Mango with sticky rice

Menu looks great! Thanks for organizing.

I see a couple ingredients I'm not that familiar with. Is langa root the same as galangal, or is it something else? Also, any idea what magwen spice is?

See you Sunday!

turkob wrote:I see a couple ingredients I'm not that familiar with. Is langa root the same as galangal, or is it something else? Also, any idea was magwen spice is?

I assume langa = galangal but have no idea what ma-gwen is (and Google is no help). I think ga-chai (ingredient of pad cha squid) is Thai krachai = lesser galangal. I assume this is different than langa (greater galangal?) but am not at all certain. Kaew is more than happy to discuss her cooking so we should remember to ask after the meal.

Cost will be $20, tax included. Please bring cash, including some small bills for the tip.

Spicy Thai Lao is in Burbank at 5357 S State Rd (a diagonal street), a couple miles south of Midway Airport. It's a few blocks northeast of 79th & Central, in a small strip mall with a parking lot in front, easy to miss when approaching from the north. Be aware that all north-south streets between Cicero and Harlem are interrupted by a train yard from about 65th to 73rd. Traffic on Cicero south of Midway was horrendous last Sunday afternoon so plan accordingly. See everyone at 11am on the 16th.

Hi,

Please waitlist me.

Regards,

Peter - Thank you finding this well hidden gem and sharing with us. The sauces and dressings were particularly good and well balanced. Funky without overwhelming with bright citrus notes. The sweetness and saltiness were there, but not predominant. The spice level was perfect as well, it built up toward the end but did not distract as we wound our way through 10+ courses.

I did not take pictures, and look forward to yours or others posting to relive the perfect Sunday brunch.

The hosts and their family were particularly gracious and charming. Can't wait to make another trip, perfect for a quick bite before or after flight @Midway.

As always, I had a great time sharing with you and LTH friends.

Thanks,
MH

It was a great way to spend the afternoon -- nice folks at the restaurant and at the table. I really enjoyed the meal. I've posted some pictures and comments over on the main Spicy Thai Lao thread.

Thanks again, Peter, for setting this up. It was very kind of you to do so.

=R=