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Next move on to the Larb, which used to be very unique. Now Larb is ubiquitous, but Little Bangkok still does it best with minced chicken and fiery spices cooled off in a soothing lettuce wrap.
But here is why you go to Little Bangkok. They have the best Tom Ka Soup ever. Y’all, this is not low fat coconut milk. It’s very old school and served in a circular pewter bowl with a lump of that hot flaming “lava” at the top. It looks like one of the ‘70s pu pu platters you saw in a James Bond movie.
I want to swim in the thick, rich coconut broth spiked with thai chilies and lemon grass, chicken, green onion and mushrooms. Have a shot of sake and this soup and you’ll feel pure bliss. My favorite curry dish is the shrimp masaman.
I order it spicy with shrimp and chicken, which has rich curry and coconut “gravy” which I ladle over classic sticky rice. The masaman is a rich amalgamation of shrimp, chicken, avocado, cashews and potatoes, enrobed in a decadent spicy layered sauce — again you have to ask for spicy. Kind of like at a gay bar — ask for spicy and you get it.
Little Bangkok also serves lunch and a killer Thai coffee that will give you a zingy energy buzz so don’t drink them at night like I did or you might be up till 3 a.m.
Also ‘souper’
Souper Jenny in Buckhead has a constant rotating menu of scratch artisanal soups and if you catch Jenny on the right day you’ll have the chicken noodle soup of which dreams are made. Permanently on the menu is her Chunky Turkey Chili. It a very healthy bowl full of protein and fiber so you’ll keep that New Year’s resolution.
Jenny also concocts bowls of art like Mayan Chicken topped with avocado, tortilla chips and lime, and vegetarian winter root veggie topped with maple chipotle creme fraiche. They are usually open just for lunch and offer sandwiches as well.