Green Papaya Thai Vegetarian - Berkeley, CA

Green Papaya Thai Vegetarian, Berkeley, California

Restaurant Week #2 continues...the next few will be from my recent trip to the Bay Area (San Francisco and Berkeley). And, yes, it is back-to-back Thai restaurants. I love Thai food.

My college roommate, Agnes and I took a road trip with her 5-year old daughter Julia to the Bay Area. One night, we met our UCLA roommate Diane for dinner. Diane's vegan and she selected Green Papaya Thai in Berkeley.

To be honest, I always have some doubts when venturing into vegan restaurants...I think I've got scar tissue from visiting Cafe Gratitude several times in the Bay Area. (It's not the mostly raw food, although I do like warm soup, it is the names of the menu items.)

I AM DAZZLING CAESAR SALAD
I AM INSIGHTFUL SPRING ROLLS
I AM TRANSFORMED TACO PLATE
I AM ACCEPTING SUSHI BOWL
See the menu...I'm not kidding.
Then, when the waitstaff delivers your meal, they say, "Who is Dazzling?" and when you weakly raise your hand, they place it in front of you with a "You are Dazzling!" Kill Me.

Seriously, I want to order:
"I am freaking annoyed cold water"
"I am disappointed dairy-free milk"
"I am clinically depressed hummus"

Anyway, happily, Green Papaya was wonderful and the staff very kind.

Curry Puff $5.95

(descriptions from take-out menu are in italics)
Triangle, stuffed with pumpkin, fresh shitake root, potato, onion, pepper, curry powder, wrapped with wheat paper....served deep-fried with cucumber carrot salad

House Special Brown Rice

A combo of black, brown and wild rice

Peanut Sauce Tofu $7.95

Steamed broccoli, topped with fried tofu, seasoned with peanut sauce

Kee Mao Tofu $7.95

Broccoli, carrot, cabbage, bell pepper, green bean, sweet basil, chili, and fried tofu, stir fried with flat rice noodles and mushroom sauce

Yellow Curry Tofu $7.95

Potato, broccoli, carrot, onion, and fried tofu, served in yellow curry sauce

My friend for 21 years, Agnes and her lovely younger daughter, Julia (age 5)

Mango Sweet Sticky Rice

The first thing I ask at any Thai restaurant is "Do you have mango and sticky rice today?" Since it is seasonal, sometimes I'm disappointed. But if they do, I plan accordingly and make sure I save space! :) This dish is one of my favorites. Mango, rice, coconut milk. Delish!

If you are visiting the East Bay, try Green Papaya Thai Vegetarian restaurant. You will find it Dazzling (and not annoying)! :)

Restaurant:
Green Papaya Thai Vegetarian Cuisine
2016 Shattuck Ave. (near the Downtown Berkeley BART station)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tel. (510) 845-1658

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Daisy Mint Thai Restaurant, Pasadena, CA

Daisy Mint in Pasadena has some interesting decor!

Restaurant Week continues (next week is all San Francisco food from my recent trip!)...

We had a work thang at Pasadena City College so after a day of talking and talking, my co-workers and I went to Daisy Mint. I've been here at least four times, and seriously love this Thai restaurant. Knowing that we were going to Daisy Mint after the work event made the day go quickly! :)

Waterfall Pork Salad

grilled marinated pork with shallots, scallions, rice powder and greens with spicy lime dressing ($10.95)

OMG. This is the best. The Best. I could eat this spicy salad, um, every. day. Just go. Just go order it! And you'll see what I mean.

Pumpkin [Kabocha]

with egg and basil in garlic sauce (with Chicken, $8.95)

I love kabocha (Japanese squash pumpkin). It is a sweet, dense squash. This preparation is delicious...the meat isn't even necessary.

Mushroom & Ginger

Fresh ginger sauteed with onions, mushrooms and scallions (with Tofu, $8.95)

Daisy Noodles

rice noodles with red curry, egg, crispy onions, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts (no meat, $8.95)

This was great because we wanted a curry and a noodle dish but there were only four of us...and this dish combined the two flavors!

Close-ups of the Daisy Noodles and the absolutely delicious Waterfall Pork salad. I can't wait to go back and have some more!

Pumpkin Custard Dessert

Kabocha with a custard. Soooo good and interesting! $4.50

Oh yeah, that's a kabocha or pumpkin! And since it was a vegetable to begin with...we put it in the veggie category. Hee hee.

If you are in Pasadena, stop by Daisy Mint for some yummy Thai food!

Restaurant:
Daisy Mint Thai Restaurant
1218 East Colorado Boulevard (walking distance to Pasadena City College, near Zankou Chicken)
Pasadena, CA 91106-1842
(626) 792-2999

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