Thai Old Town

With hectic post-holiday work catchup and packing up my office for the big move this weekend, it's been a bit stressful.  My boyfriend has been really sweet.  He's been driving us to work, and picking me up afterwards.  We have a chance to chat, which has been nice.  Last night he suggested we go out to eat instead of cooking at home.  We went to Thai Old Town at 300 King Street in Alexandria.  It's a bit nondescript, but the staff were friendly and you could choose how spicy the dishes were.

Seafood Ka Prow - Hot

Green Curry with Vegetables - Hot

We also had an order of vegetable spring rolls and a very spicy Tom Yum soup with shrimp.  The green curry is my favorite, and it was nice to order it a bit spicier than normal.  Everything was bright and fresh, excellent scallops.  With a Singha beer, it was just what I needed.

Great food, depth-defyingly low service.

I love introducing friends to places they've never been before. I especially enjoy providing more reasons to cross the river into the suburbs of Virginia. It's really not that scary over here, I promise :) After a sultry Ashtanga yoga session, my fellow food-loving yogis and I headed to Bangkok 54 on Columbia Pike. http://www.bangkok54restaurant.com/ I like that the flavors are fresh and the curries have a nice level of heat. It's not dumbed-down and Americanized. Additionally you can find something delicious for the carnivores, the omnivores, the pescatarians and the vegetarians.

Pad Thai with Shrimp ($12.95)
Green Curry with Tofu ($8.95)

Green Curry with Shrimp ($12.95)

Massamun Curry with Tofu ($8.95)

Stir-fried Spicy Eggplant ($8.95)

Mango with Sticky Rice - luscious, ripe mango with sticky rice topped with coconut milk

***

Unfortunately, our experience was marred by a subpar server. Maybe she was new? Our tod mun appetizer and tom ka soup never materialized. She would not substitute fresh tofu for the fried tofu in the curry, which I know they will do. Trying to get change for a $20 reached increasing levels of "are you kidding me?"

Next time, if I'm not sipping on a flaming Mai Tai, I'd be tempted to order carryout. I love the green curry, actually any curry there. Definitely skip the salt and pepper calamari. It does not do justice to the rest of the menu.