Accidental discovery.. Middle Ring Rd, just past the Payap entrance.
I had seen pictures posted by a contact on facebook for laos cuisine place.. But was baffled as it looked like this huge building by a lake, yet was out on the ring Rd near Payap so I couldnt place it.. Worked out it was in the V community plaza and thats not far, so feeling like sampling Laos, and some salady type wraps went there with the missus. We get there, plenty parking, huge huge building etc.. Wander in upstairs.. Its obviously a new place, built to look old style, wood, those colored glass windows, staff dressed in traditional gear, all great.. But probably set up for large groups (maybe hoping for tour busses its that large) and multiple specials like morning buffet (khanom jean and geangs) 89b etc etc..
I didnt take any pics or a camera so these are just low quality snaps out of my missus phone..
Its nice simple decor and style, indoor and outdoor.. But large place for big groups which is sorta odd considering it way out on the middle ring rd..
We get the menu, both hungry, ordered up and I am thinking 'this doesnt look so much like Laos food, this is northern Thai'.. Somtams, geangs, phak and nahm prik, fish mains, etc etc.. Not a huge menu but loads of it looking appealing. Food came out fast along with some delicious drinks (lemongrass / water and coconut water) and I have to say, this was all delicious. Perfectly done, very high quality, exactly hit the nail on the head for northern Thai food.
Somtam salt egg, already half attacked before she remembered the camera.
Sai uah.. Northern Sausage.. Spicy, chunky, just right texture.
Fried Tabtim (nile perch ??) with Nam Dtock sauce.. Meat filleted from the bones so easy chunks to eat..
Plus unpictured sticky 'black' rice (with I think peanuts in it.. Really good) and multiple steamed white rice. The whole number with drinks everything was IIRC low 400b.
Its fairly normal simple northern Thai here, so easy to discount the details and think its just like many other places, but the little touches, drinks were superb, all the flavors just right, the servings of khao suay white rice has a sprinkle of poppy seeds or other little garnish to the center, it was just excellently done, every dish was exactly at it best. Plus it was great value and a decent setting. Theres a picture wall and on inspection its covered in Thai celebrity and stars, including royals, so as this place cant have been open long I am guessing this is another branch of an established local known place ??
So after the food has arrived, and my mind is ticking I start thinking, well this is northern Thai, why is this a Laos restaurant ?? I ask for the menu back and I check and theres no Laos spring rolls, in fact I was sure my buddys FB update has salmon something and theres none on the menu, in fact theres nothing Laos about the menu at all, its pure traditional northern thai. Its only as we walk out, and this is on my mind, I realize the giant wooden building we are in, is divided into 2 wings by a walkway entrance, and one side is the Laos place and the other is the place we eat.. Possibly joint owned but who knows. So I didnt eat at the right restaurant even !!! Ohh how we laughed !! Now I have to go back, try the Laos food, and decide if we have a favorite. Try a review for that after.. This is where I was trying to get to.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ตำแซบ-พันนัว/547605351967808
Dead handy for me as close to home and my side of the city, top quality food at bargain basement pricing.
