r_ness: Lotus of Siam

馬庭正 (

r_ness) wrote,
@ 2008-04-29 21:33:00

Entry tags:

food

Lotus of Siam
I was surfing around looking for a place to have lunch. It seemed like everyone though Lotus of Siam was a must. And it was nearby, and off the strip. Sure.

Lotus of Siam
953 E. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
tel: +1.702.735.3033
http://www.saipinchutima.com/
M-Th: 1130-1430 lunch; 1730-2130 dinner
F: 1130-1430 lunch; 1730-2200 dinner
Sa-Su: 1730-2200 dinner only
Reservations recommended one day in advance for dinner.

Lotus of Siam is one of those Asian strip mall restaurants that looks very unassuming from the outside. In fact, the strip mail is set up with its back to the road, so until you actually drive in, you can't even see it. It's there. Look for the mall sign saying 953, pull in, turn right and drive along the strip mall. It'll be about halfway down.

I went for lunch, when their $8.99 buffet is featured, so I can't say whether it's "the single best Thai restaurant in North America", as Jonathan Gold of Gourmet magazine claimed. The steam-table isn't kind to food, so I'm sure I didn't sample Lotus of Siam's dishes at their best. Despite this handicap, they managed serve rather good food.

Highlights included the Spicy Chili Mint Chicken, with basil, green peppers, broccoli, onion, cucumber, and ground chicken. It did have quite a bit of heat, but it wasn't an overwhelmingly spicy dish. The spice was one constituent of a very complex and delicious taste. The Pad Thai was also notable, sweet with a noticeable but not overwhelming bite.

I also enjoyed the Tom Kah (sic) Vegetable soup, with cabbage and baby corn. It had the kind of spiciness that creates a warm glow, which went well with the creaminess of the soup.

The overall impression I had of these dishes was of tastes in balance: not too much pepper, not too much basil, even not too much cilantro for me as a soap taster.

Lotus of Siam managed to deliver a good meal via steam table. I can only imagine what they're like when you actually order dishes from the menu.

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frotz
2008-04-30 04:55 am UTC (link)

I really love Lotus of Siam. Like many places, the interestingness of the food varies depending on the order, but I've worked my way through a lot of their menu and it's all ranged from merely decent to utterly delightful. The delicate combinations of flavor on just about everything on the Issan section of the menu has been a treat.

If you think you'll be back I'd be happy to forward specific recommendations; also see the reviews from many past drbitch visits.

All that, plus they're pretty close to Luv-It!

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	r_ness 2008-04-30 06:12 am UTC (link)
	Specific recommendations would be greatly appreciated, as I imagine I'll be back. I'm contemplating a burger at the Crown & Anchor on Tropicana; any thoughts? (found at this discussion of late night food in Las Vegas from the local paper: http://www.lvrj.com/living/17415559.html) (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

frotz
2008-04-30 02:13 pm UTC (link)

The only thing on that late-night listing I can speak to is the Pepper Mill, which is just a hair pricier than I'd like to pay but otherwise does a good job with all the usual diner cuisine. The weird lighting makes it look like you're eating with a zombie horde, though. Or perhaps it's meant to conceal the fact that you really are.

If you make it to the pub I'd love a review, too.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

drbitch
2008-04-30 02:41 pm UTC (link)

Due to technical difficulties. I'd locked my journal entries from 2006 and earlier. I just went and unlocked some vegas-tagged entries that had food recs; I think you know we tend to go more for hole-in-the-wall places than high-end ones. Being willing and able to go off-strip is a big help in finding "real" food in that amazing simulacrum of a town.

At LoS, we love the nam kao tod ("minced sour sausage mixed with green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, crispy rice and lime juice") appetizer (at about a level 3; we're not pepper-heads); ask if they'll leave out the cilantro, which I think it gets garnished with. Anything from the Northern Thai menu is likely to be very good; our recent favorite was the khao soi. Also, ask the server for recommendations and if they have any fresh fish specials, as those are usually good.

I know folks who have gone to LoS and been disappointed. I think they were put off by the (lack of) decor and ordered Thai-restaurant standards. I've never eaten the lunch buffet, so I'm glad to hear that it's good.

Edited at 2008-04-30 02:43 pm UTC

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	fotofile2002 2008-04-30 08:18 pm UTC (link)
	The next time you are in NYC, eat at Sripriphai in Woodside. It is the best Thai in the city. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	r_ness 2008-04-30 09:35 pm UTC (link)
	I'd heard that! One of julianyap's friends mentioned the place. I look forward to getting to it sometime. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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