Review: Bangkok Cabin II

Aside from those times when I’ve surreptitiously devoured that pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and buried the container in the bottom of the trashcan lest someone discovers the source of that extra bulge around my middle, I seek out any chance to eat “healthy”. So, when I saw the sign outside the location at 2990 Eagle Drive, No. 107 beckoning me with four tantalizing words: “Healthy Authentic Thai Cuisine,” I had to give it a try.

There are generally several good things you can count on when you eat in a Thai restaurant. The first is an attempt to balance the dish with something sweet, salty, sour and hot. Another characteristic is the use of ingredients that are fragrant and flavorful. And last, but by no means the least feature is the presentation of Thai food. Many chefs of Thailand are known for their masterful skill in carving fruit and vegetables. They bring that love of beautiful food, an appreciation for the aesthetic, to our plates here in the U.S. For a fascinating demonstration of Thai fruit carving, check this video out. I don’t suggest you try this at home. Just watch and enjoy.

There are a variety of dishes to choose from the menu. Starting with seven appetizers including such as Basil Rolls, Chicken Satay, Spring Rolls and Fried Tofu (almost a contradiction in terms, but immensely delicious). Most of them are priced under $5. There are six soups to select like the Creamy Crab Meat Soup, the Coconut Chicken Soup and the Tom Yum Shrimp among others. The prices range from $3.95 to $14.95 for the Seafood Combo Soup that serves an entire platoon and comes in a huge cauldron.

I selected the Coconut Chicken Soup ($3.95), a fragrant, steamy cup of chicken breast, mushrooms, scallions, coconut milk, lemongrass, limejuice and galangal, a rhizome from the ginger family with a flavor reminiscent of citrus. I was happy that it was served in an oversized coffee cup so that I could finish off the silky broth.

My entree was the Pad Prik ($8.95), a beautifully presented dish of stir-fried beef, chilies, red and green bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and Thai Basil. The vegetables were nicely al dente in a light brown, gently spicy sauce. The side of steamed rice sat on the plate next to a nest of carrot strings and mint.

Talk about healthy? Why it was almost a full day’s supply of those colorful veggies we are supposed to eat on a daily basis. The serving was adequate: not too much, not too little. I enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of jasmine tea ($1.79) along with my meal. It was just the right taste to accompany my dish that I ordered medium-hot.

The menu at Bangkok Cabin II offers over 12 entrees including the ever-popular noodle dishes like Pad Thai, Pad Kee Mao and rice dishes like Spicy Basil Fried Rice—one of my favorites. 

If you are craving curries, there are six choices in green, red, yellow and Masaman Curry (a curry made with the Four-Cs: cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves), all for $11.49. The desserts are du jour, so make sure you ask your server what’s on for the day of your visit. Of course, there is the usual array of soft drinks, beer and wine. Unless you make them at home, the Thai Ice Coffee and Thai Ice Tea is nice to have as a special drink.

The restaurant is nicely decorated, pleasant and comfortable. The service is friendly, welcoming and attentive. My experience here was enjoyable and sure to command an encore visit from me.