A lot of us have our favorite local Thai restaurants that we visit, indulging in curry dishes or other items that are some almost exotic version of comfort food
NaKorn ( 1622 Orrington Ave., Evanston; NaKornKitchen.com ) also offers Thai foodbut it's probably unlike anything you've tried.
Sam Rattanopas told Windy City Times that she and partner Mina Sudsaard that the inspiration for NaKorn was that they wanted to serve dishes like they had growing upand that they couldn't find anything locally. The result are some incredibly delicious dishes that are only surpassed by their artful presentation.
The decor is charming and pretty artful itself, down to the cage light fixes and the mural of Bhumibol Adulyadej, the late king of Thailand who recently died at age 88. ( The mural shows him in his 30s, Rattanopas said. )
Appetizers included housemade tapioca pearl crackerswhich are just okay by themselves, but excellent when paired with the accompanying tamarind-coconut sauce and cilantro. My dining partner practically inhaled the taro chicken ( which is marinated in lemongrass-infused coconut milk ), and we both really liked the tenderloin.
Regarding the entrees, the top sirloin ( coconut cream curry sauce ) was suficiently tender. I ordered the jumbo lump crab meatand, coming from the Chesapeake Bay area, my expectations were not that high, as some local restaurants have served some disastrous seafood items. However, I was pleasantly surprised the crab ( served on a bed of noodles ) at NaKorn. And to show we weren't total carnivores, we tried the fried tofu with friseewhich I adored, thanks in part to the chili-tamarind peanut paste. Again, I cannot stress the artistry of the dishes enough.
A chocolate mousse with candied pecans and vanilla ice cream was not as unique as some of the other dishesbut it still provided a more-than-satisfying ending to the meal.
The only drawback for some might be the location, as some people I know won't even venture beyond their immediate neighborhoods. However, this is one trip that is worth it.
Note: Restaurant profiles are based on invitations arranged by restaurants and/or firms.