From BKK to MSP

Last night our Minnesota family members held their monthly international dinner at Naviya’s Thai Kitchen in the Linden Hills neighborhood of  Minneapolis.

The food was amazing. They make all of  their own sauces from scratch, and I could tell. I have eaten Thai before, and nothing has come close to the Naviya sauces. A peanut sauce was served with our appetizer of fresh shrimp and chicken spring rolls. Joe and I were eating the leftover peanut sauce with our spoons.

Our goal at the monthly dinner is to try as many different foods as possible so we each order a main course and share. The server last night was one of  the best we have had since starting the dinners this year. Understanding that we were sharing, he brought small soup cups with a ladle and extra plates to share a Thai salad. He was especially attentive to Caleb and Charlotte. Not all of the restaurants we have been to have been as gracious about children. We always try to make sure there is a children’s menu as it is one indicator of whether children are welcome.

The food can be ordered at the desired level of spiciness to satisfy each individual’s palate. Joe,  Jeremy, and Caleb like hotter ranges than Charlotte and me. Megan is unable to eat anything with any kind of peppers in it as she has an allergic reaction. We appreciated that the waiter, as he delivered the food, told Megan which foods to avoid because pepper had been used in the sauce or as a main ingredient.

The spice levels chart on the menu:

* Minnesota Spice (mild)

** A Kick

*** Medium

**** Spicy

***** Really Spicy

 

This was Jeremy and the children’s first Thai food. They have eaten in local Sushi places and the children opted for the “known” of cheese wontons and fried chicken wings as their main meals. They did try a bite of two or three other items ordered. Joe and I are happy about this as it is really the cultural exposure and “trying new experiences” that we are excited about for them. Caleb and Charlotte are champions at going with the flow.

Broccoli Beef Stir Fry

Pad Thai with Beef

Pho Soup with Tofu

Spicy Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp

Wontons's (Also called Cheese Puffs on Kid's Menu

Mango Sticky Rice (Dessert)

After dinner we came back to the house to eat our YUM snack box and rate the items. This month our scoreboard was filled out by Caleb. The x’d out items under Megan are for items that she could not try as the ingredients listed peppers. One of the snacks, Tasto Devil Emperor Chili Potato Chips were too spicy for all of us. When Jeremy and Joe think something is too hot – it IS too hot. Everybody liked the Sour Punk Spaghetti which are gummy strings in flavors of strawberry, apple, lemon, and blue raspberry. The QQ Green Tea Matcha Crème Coated Cocoa Biscuit Sticks were a hit with everyone except Jeremy.

This month’s trivia train winner was unclear to me. I believe Jeremy, Joe, and Charlotte tied with three of  the eight possible answers. My favorite trivia question for the month was:

In Thailand, it’s considered good luck to give two ______ as a wedding gift.

A)    Pink Orchids

B)    Elephants

C)    Bowls of Rice

D)    Siamese Cats

The answer Siamese cats!

After snacks Jeremy, Charlotte, and Caleb played pool. I could hear the kids getting coaching from Jeremy. Caleb won!

P.S. BKK are the call letters for Suvarnabhumi Airport which is Bangkok, Thailand's International airport. MSP are the call letters for Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport. The title 'From BKK to MSP' is used on Naviya's webiste and also as a sign in the interior of the restaurant.