by Bob McClain
(www.wordsmithbob.com)
6-12-08
Kindee Thai story


Thai For The Modern World


I have a friend who loves Thai food. She’s always looking for something new on the menu to try. Well, now I think I have a great new place for her. Because Kindee Thai’s owner and head chef, Nuntanit Charoensit, told me that most of the recipes she uses are what her mother and her grandmother cook in their kitchens today. In other words, this is a modern Thai restaurant.

The restaurant at 719 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, across from the Guthrie, is quite often packed before and after a show at the Guthrie. Not surprising since they offer a new twist on Thai food. The décor is also very modern Thai. In fact, it was designed in Thailand by an architect named Jiroj Ittiwetchai. (Yes, she had to spell his name for me).

So let’s talk about the food. While the food will seem familiar in general, Nuntanit told me that Thai food has changed a lot in the last 30 years. She strongly recommended trying the Red and Green Curries your first time there. Tim Wilmes, the General Manger, thought the Fried Spring Rolls or the Larb Lettuce Wrap would make a great appetizer for a first timer.

To give you a sampling of the prices, the Larb Lettuce Wrap (the most expensive appetizer) is $6. Tom Kha Gai soup is $5. Among the entrees, a cold Salad Entrée will set you back $13, Noodle Entrees run around $13, and the most expensive entrée I could find was the Roast Duck Curry at $14. This is an awfully cheap way to get introduced to modern Thai cuisine.

They serve wine and beer. The wine list leans towards the sweet and the spicy wines from Argentina and Chile to match the food. Somebody was thinking. In case you were wondering, Charoensit, a native of Bangkok, is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Mendota Heights.

Kindee Thai is open daily from 11am until 9pm for lunch or dinner. Almost all dishes there can be made vegetarian. Ask your server about the daily specials. Call 612-465-8303 for more information. The Hibiscus Tea is cold, the Jasmine Tea is hot, and these people are first time restaurateurs so please come out and support them. It would be really nice to have a modern alternative to traditional Thai food in town.

>>To Profile Page

© 2004 Twin Cities Dining Guide, LLC, Minneapolis, MN 763-591-9087 | Built by Net Dynasty | Designed by Blue Over Blue