FOODIE
A Sweet Spot For Authentic Thai Food
By Pete & Rosie/ foodie@longislandernews.com

For lovers of Thai food, the search for authentic Thai cuisine can entail a drive. The Foodies ventured from our normal stomping grounds to try Siam Lotus, a little gem of a restaurant on the south shore. Located in a modest storefront in Bay Shore, Siam Lotus has a following among those who seek authentic Thai cuisine, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Walking into Siam Lotus, it’s authenticity becomes apparent from the décor. It is pleasantly decorated in shades of pink and green for the lotus flower, after which it is named. But it’s the pictures of the royal family of Thailand on the walls that give visitors their first clue that this is the real deal.

The real deal it is. Members of the Poom family, who own and operate the restaurant, brought their recipes from the homeland. For those of us raised on burgers and fries, the Pooms’ cuisine opens doors to a new world of flavors and sensations. And contrary to what you may believe about Thai cooking, it’s not all about the heat. There are indeed many dishes for those with a devilish love of all things hot and spicy, but there are just as many dishes that are delicately flavored with sophisticated nuances of floral and citrus.

The menu is extensive – it will take several visits before you even begin to scratch the surface. Most dishes go by the Thai names, but there’s an explanation with each, and mercifully, a code number to the left that makes it easy to communicate what you’re looking for. Go ahead and try the Thai pronunciation if you like, but to be safe, point and order by the code number.

Among nearly a dozen appetizer selections, Satay (barbecue, beef or chicken, $7.95) is a safe favorite. Fried Calamari ($8.95) is for those lovers of hot sauce, but we love the Crab Rolls ($9.95) with crab, shrimp and pork, spiced and wrapped in sheet tofu, then fried and topped with peanut sauce. The mix of flavors and textures is superb.

Those favoring lighter fare may opt for the salads. The Shrimp and Chicken Salad ($12.95) is delicately flavored with a lime base and a dash of chili pepper. It’s large enough to share to start your meal or enjoy as a main course by yourself.

On the entrée side of the menu, Curries ($14.95) are a reliable favorite, and there are a half dozen to choose from. Siam Lotus excels with seafood and those dishes comprise our favorites. Volcano Shrimps ($15.95) are a hot and spicy combination of grilled jumbo shrimp with garlic and chili sauce and served with cauliflower and broccoli. Siam Garden ($16.95) combines chicken and shrimp with Thai chili paste and mixed vegetables.

Peanut sauce figures prominently in many dishes. We enjoyed the Siamese Chicken ($17.95), a chicken breast marinated in Thai curry, served with cool chopped cucumber salad and curry rice and topped with peanut sauce. We also look for dishes flavored with coconut, a prominent feature of many dishes.

Vegetarians will find more than enough selections, and noodle lovers will revel in the half dozen dishes on the menu. And while it hasn’t enticed us yet, we’ll eventually try one of the three Frogs Legs dishes on the menu ($15.95).

In numerous visits, we’ve never gone wrong at Siam Lotus. It’s warm and welcoming, and the wait staff (often family members) is attentive and friendly. The tastes and flavors are usually just what we’re looking for, but more often, we enjoy discovering new flavors.

Siam Lotus
1664 Union Blvd., Bay Shore
631-968-8196
www.siamlotus.info

Cuisine: Thai specialties ranging from delicately flavored to devilishly hot,
all beautifully presented.

Atmosphere: Family run, comfortable and casual.

Price range: Moderate.

Hours: Lunch: Tues-Fri, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.;
Dinner: Tues-Thurs, 4-9:30 p.m.;
Fri and Sat, 4 to 11 p.m.; Sun 4 to 10 p.m.

Main Menu