Thai Curry Heaven

What: Beef Panang Curry and Tofu Pad Thai Combo

Where: Mae Ploy Thai Cuisine (6421 15th Ave NW, Seattle 98107)

When: Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm p.m.  / Sunday, 12am-9:30pm   (206) 784-0899

Cost: $7.95 plus tax and tip

Official Tasting Notes:  I'm always amazed that how most Thai restaurants around Seattle play it safe when it comes to Thai dishes.  I stumbled upon Mae Ploy Thai Cuisine the other day while driving by Ballard High School. Having opened only three months ago, they are certain that their menu, consisting of over 100 different dishes, has something for everyone. My first trip to Mae Ploy, I tried the Lunch Combo with tofu pad thai and thai basil chicken.  While I'm skeptical of any Thai restaurant that substitutes ketchup for tamarind (the pink color is a dead give away), the thai basil chicken was exceptional.  The white meat chicken was tender and had a mild garlic sauce complete with straw mushrooms, onions, peppers and sweet thai basil.  The menu has a rather comical twist on level of heat you want with your dish:
One Star - "For Those Who Hesitate", Two Stars - "Warming Your Toes", Three Stars - "Damp Palms", Four Stars - "Sweat on Your Brow", and Five Stars - "Dragon Fire".
The owners told me that I had to return to try one of their curry dishes.  They weren't kidding.  I had the beef panang curry today and it was phenomenal. Creamy coconut milk with a hint of sweet and spice, tender cooked slices of beef, zucchini, onions and peppers were meant to be together. Not that I was still hungry, but I couldn't leave without trying one of their desserts.  The fried banana was a work of art.  Picture a Twinkie wrapped in shag carpet then deep fried until golden brown and drizzled with a sweet sauce.  If I can get a break from the Trick or Treaters tonight, I may hit Mae Ploy again to try their Pumpkin Curry.