Cakes And Ale: May 2019

Drunken Noodle with Beef at Maya Thai

Maya Thai opened in this strip center a few years ago, at the NE corner of Redwood & Sonoma in Vallejo. This was the former location of Pho #1, and at first I didn't think Maya Thai was that special--it was very good, but boy howdy, they sure have upped their game. Spices and flavors are vibrant, there's a level of nuance here I've only encoutered with a couple of Lao/Thai restaurants in the East Bay, but given what I've tasted in recent visits, this is in my opinion the best Thai restaurant I've experienced in the Bay Area.

Another shot of the Drunken Noodle with beef. Plenty of basil & garlic, some chile, flat rice noodles cooked perfectly, as is the beef and vegetables. Sue's Kitchen (El Sobrante) & Champa Garden (Oakland & other locations) do versions that are similarly excellent, but all 3 have their own signature flavor.

Above & below: Eggplant Salad. The Papaya Salads is what I usually get at Thai, Lao and Vietnamese restaurants, and of course Maya Thai does a great version of that. But I've never seen Eggplant Salad on a menu that I can recall.

Larb. We got the Chicken version, which we think of as the "classic" version, but I'm noticing they also do a Tofu version. That might be interesting to try sometime. Nearly ever protein on the menu can be subbed with Tofu.

Here's the must try dish: Panang Curry (above & two below). I've never had a version quite as excellent as this one. This dish should single-handedly make Maya Thai a destination restaurant. The thin green strips are Kaffir Lime, and the curry (like much on the menu) is coconut & spice based. Absolute bliss.