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Kamin treats the nose and bites
the tongue with spicy Thai food
GOOD STUFF:
The fried rice is a meal unto itself. / Photo by
Kandice Crompton
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By Michelle Butler
February 5, 2009 | Nestled just off of Main
Street at 51 West and 200 South lies a small and
discreet building not unlike many in town. Its
white wooden exterior, complete with the green
carpet porch, is a deceiving façade to the wonders
that lie within. For those with a weak stomach,
turn back now, because only the strong of heart
and even stronger of tongue can truly enjoy the
wonders within.
Welcome to the Kamin Thai Cuisine restaurant.
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PEACHES AND STICKY RICE:
Tastes like a day at a tropical beach. / Photo
by Kandice Crompton |
After crossing the threshold, the
wonderful flavors of rice, beef and curry assault your
nostrils and your stomach will soon agree that this
is the place. The interior is starkly opposite of the
exterior. The walls are painted in deep oranges and
contrasting white. Effort has gone into transforming
the building into a serene destination with bamboo and
traditional Thai music playing.
Although you haven’t left Logan, for a meal your senses
will be gone, carried away with the flavors that are
authentic to Thai cuisine. All authentic Thai cuisine
has a balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish:
hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty, and bitter (optional).
A truly great meal would start with an order of spring
rolls. These are similar to the traditional egg roll,
but oh so much better. Customers have the option of
fresh or fried, although I would recommend the fried.
The menu is filled with a variety of dishes from rice
to noodles, and of course curries. Although the menu
is in Thai, don’t be discouraged for there are English
subtitles. Many dishes sound mystical and foreign, such
as the Crystal Noodles, Bangkok Basil or “Drunken Noodles,”
but give it a try and you’re sure to be delighted.
For those who are less adventurous, the Thai Fried
Rice is an excellent beginner’s meal. This is not your
typical fried rice served so often as a side dish, often
discarded. This is a meal all of its own. The brown
rice is served with a medley of veggies: tomatoes, cucumbers,
onions, carrots and peas.
Or you could try the Thai Sweet and Sour, a dish full
of flavor and color. The wonderful thing about Thai
food is that the dishes are exotic colors with lots
of orange and yellow and green.
But, you cannot leave the Kamin without first experiencing
the most amazing wonder yet: Sweet Sticky Rice with
Peaches. The genius that paired these two together deserves
our most humble of thanks and utmost respect. The sticky
rice is drizzled in a coconut milk that is sweet and
seductive. Pared with peaches, it instantly takes you
to a warm sandy beach with palm frauds swaying in the
breeze, if only for a moment.
None can leave the Kamin without a full and thankful
belly. But be warned, because your taste buds are not
quick to forget and you’ll be craving Thai until the
next time you can visit the Kamin.
MS
MS
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