So, Sonya and the girls started this blog to share their creative ideas and talents and since I am about as artistic or creative as a rock I have been feeling a little left out. After eating a great lunch the other day with Sonya she suggested that maybe I could do a food review. Since eating is one thing I am good at I thought, what the heck! So here is my first attempt. This all from memory because at the time we had this meal reviewing it was not on my mind so bear with me.
Sonya and I were looking for a place to have lunch the other day on the Southside of Kearney but were not in the mind to have fast food. I will give her the credit for suggesting we go to Wild Rice Thai Cuisine (105 11th Street or for you long time Kearneyites, the old Goodrich Dairy store). While the atmosphere is not fancy the food was excellent. We ordered a couple of the luncheon specials, Sonya had the Veggie Delight and added chicken while I chose the Hot Basil Chicken. The specials came with a crab rangoon appetizer and a small salad. The crab rangoon was good but what made it special was the sweet & sour sauce which we later learned was homemade. It was the best sweet & sour sauce that we have ever tasted! The salad was small with little more than lettuce but the homemade peanut dressing was very tasty.
The portions of rice and main dish were ample and both of us took home part of our meal. Sonya enjoyed her Veggie Delight which was full of a mix of veggies including cabbage, carrots, snow peas, broccoli, and baby corn cooked in oyster sauce. Since she does not like hot & spicy foods it was an excellent choice for her. I have only started eating Thai in the past year or so but it is fast becoming a favorite of mine. I have had several basil dishes before including at a very upscale Thai restaurant in San Diego’s Gas Lamp District and my Hot Basil Chicken ranked with the best of them. It came with onions, and both green & red peppers, carrots, bamboo shoots with a chili, garlic, basil sauce. The dish had a “kick” to it but the next time I order it I will ask for it to be made a little hotter, which I was asked when I ordered but I declined.
Overall our experience was very good. They were not busy when we were there which made our service very fast. In talking with our server we learned that it was just her and her mother running the restaurant at this time with her mother doing the cooking. She was very polite and did share that on days when they are very full service can be slow but that people don’t seem to mind. Contrary to what many people believe not all Thai food is made with curry or is extremely hot, though one can certainly go that route if you so choose. Our total bill for two for lunch with tip was approximately $15 with only water to drink. We will definitely be back in the near future to try another dish from their fairly extensive menu. Now, if only we could get our hands on that sweet & sour sauce recipe!
Since I am attempting to drop some weight for Alex’s upcoming wedding I am not sure how often I will be contributing to this blog but I do hope to find an occasional opportunity to contribute and to tantalize my taste buds. If you have any suggestions let me know.
Rick
