Thai Palace

Thai Palace…Sweet and Spicy
By Cathy Villafana

If you are a Thai food lover looking for the newest hot spot (pun intended), be sure to check out Thai Palace located on the corner of La Pata and East Avenida Pico in the Talega area of San Clemente. Nearly open for a year, Thai Palace is sister to Thai Paradise, which opened in San Clemente 10 years ago.

My friend and I found ourselves amongst the busy lunch crowd, who is clearly in the know about the great lunch deals, but more importantly, the tasty dishes we were about to try.

We started our meal with a Thai staple — vegetable spring rolls. Served with a sweet plum sauce, these light-tasting rolls were crispy on the outside and filled with fresh vegetables and glass noodles. If you prefer a decadent appetizer, opt for the Ching Chang Thong. The deep-fried wontons are filled with avocado and cream cheese and served with a plum sauce and cucumber chunks. You’ll be arguing over who gets the last one!

Next we tried a bowl of Tom Kar soup, the ingredients of which may seem eclectic to the inexperienced Thai eater, but the final result is a pleasing flavor that grows with each bite. We chose shrimp to accompany this delicious mixture of fresh vegetables simmered in coconut milk, lemon grass, lime juice and spices.

We would be remiss if we did not try a curry dish, and Panang Curry certainly filled the bill. The tangy flavor and increasing heat from this dish was a pleaser with its creamy sauce, large chunks of chicken and fresh cut green beans. Clearly, Thai Palace has found that sweet spot where refined flavors and spiciness (if you choose) come together for a great meal.

Thai Palace’s lunch specials can’t be beat – ranging from $8 to $10 for an entrée, green salad, fried wonton and rice. Whether you try one of the menu’s nearly 75, MSG-free selections for lunch, dinner, take-out or delivery, you will not be disappointed by the value and rich flavors. Gluten-free options are also available upon request.