The recent warm spell had the Missus and I craving some Lao and Thai food. So, we decided to head on back to what had become our favorite Lao Restaurant in the area, Spicy Lao Kitchen. I had heard that there had been some changes in terms of the management and kitchen, so I was interested to see if our favorite dishes still held out.
The one young man working the front of house was so very nice. Strangely, there was only one other table during our entire meal.
And sadly, the food didn't measure up. We actually ordered three of our favorite dishes! Which had enjoyed back in February.
Since these were dishes we'd had several times during our visits over the last couple of years, and that we had ordered the same three dishes during our last visit, I thought it would be interesting to post first, the dish from this visit; than a photo of what the dish looked like during our February visit.
Things came out of the kitchen fairly quickly; starting with the Moo Tod, the "usually" crispy pork belly.
First off, this more thickly sliced and unevenly fried; some parts really hard, not crisp, other parts barely fried. It was on the bland side and missing the dusting of chili powder it used to have....like back in February.
Never was the difference more evident than in the Goong Nam Pla, which had been a favorite dish of ours since our first visit.
The shrimp itself was fine; but was sorely lacking in spice....we ordered medium spice like we always do and this was just plain overly sour. Also missing was that herbaceous-spicy-savory - fish sauce forward topping and sauce which I swear....I could dip my rubba' slippahs in and enjoy.
Less than five months ago, this is what it looked like. Look at the mint and other herbs on this version. All of this was MIA!
And of course the Nem Khao. Whenever that Missus and I would get a decent version of Nem Khao, we'd always talk about that wonderful meal we had on the banks of the Mekong all those years ago. Food can do that, spur memories, feelings, return you to a special time and place. And then to have it taken away.....
The charred rice wasn't crisp enough and on the chewy side. The dish lacked a sufficient amount of sour sausage, though it was super sour. It lacked seasoning and spice. This was truly a disappointing dish.
Especially compared to what we'd had in February.
I'm not sure what happened here. I know that business had been up for sale, but I thought it had been resolved. Though I've heard from sources that one of the owners is no longer involved and has moved out of state.
This was so disappointing, since Spicy Lao had become our favorite Lao restaurant in San Diego. I guess it's time to get back out there trying other Lao style places.
Spicy Lao Kitchen
5375 Kearney Villa Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123
I know that "FOY" Junichi has also been a regular at Spicy Lao; I'm wondering if he's visited recently and if so, what his experience was like?
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