Atmosphere can be an extra pleasure when dining out. Not only can it enhance the enjoyment of a meal, it should make you want to linger at least a little longer than you intended.
       That's what you can expect at Thai Talay. The atmosphere is darkly exotic, with a touch of the gracious. It hints of culinary delights to come.
       And culinary delights are precisely what this family-run establishment offers. Plus service that is friendly, efficient and amazingly fast.
         Spring rolls, filled with bean-threaded vermicelli, carrot and cabbage make an excellent starter. So do the steamed dumplings, a wonton wrap of mixed ground shrimp, pork and water chestnuts.
         You then can go straight to one of the main courses, but if you you want to give your taste buds an extra treat, try one of the many house specialty soups or salads en route. Tom-Yum is a spicy Thai soup prepared with shrimp or chicken. Yum-Nau is an equally spicy mouth-watering beef salad blended with onion, cucumber and tomato.
        Too much spice? Or too little? Just tell your server how you want your soup or salad prepared and the kitchen will make it mild, medium, spicy hot -- and even very spicy hot. The same flexibility also is applied to the main courses.
        My favorite of the reasonably priced main courses is Pad Khing. It comes with a choice of shrimp, chicken, pork or beef in a savory mix of ginger root, bell peppers, mushrooms, scallions and celery.
        For dessert, try the coconut ice cream. This isn't the standard coconut flavored concoction. It includes healthy slivers of real coconut.
        Thai Talay is at 17807 Gulf Boulevard, Redington Shores. It's open every day for dinner (5 - 10 pm). Take out orders also are available. Telephone: (727) 391-0309.
   
Phil Richman (November 2007)

Email Phil Richman at: blogs@gulfbeachrecord.com.