LOCATIONIn Duff Place, Deakin Shops.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAFor those who haven’t yet eaten at Deakin Thai Cuisine, perhaps your friends at work have mentioned it, perhaps you’ve heard of it, or read about it in the local papers. If you haven’t been yet, know this: you are missing out. This local institution has it all – the fun and friendly atmosphere, the regal Thai-inspired interior, and the chatty owner Nim, ever-ready for a chin wag about food, gardening or current affairs. This makes Deakin Thai Cuisine ideal for romantic interludes, parties, a spot of takeaway after work, or even a great place to eat if you’re stuck in the Capital for work.
But it’s not just the service that is welcoming – the food is unsurpassable. Dishing up the Thai equivalent of comfort food, Deakin Thai Cuisine has a well-crafted menu, resplendent with both old favourites and unusual innovations. Start the evening with some karee puffs, thod mun pla (fish cakes) or popia thod (spring rolls). Can’t decide? Get the mixed entree with a selection of spring rolls, curry puffs, fish cakes and money bags. Nothing beats the hot, spicy and sour flavours of tom yum soup, especially as an autumn warmer. For mains, the choice is extensive – for something different try the crying duck salad (delicious roast duck cooked in Thai spices and served with Thai salad), or the beef dry green curry for chilli lovers (spiced with peppercorns and lemongrass, but without any coconut milk). The house specialty – or plaa – is a must-eat; the soft-shell crab salad is a stand-out favourite among patrons. If it’s all too hard to choose, bring some friends and order one of the many available banquets and try a little bit of everything.
Russell Buzby, March 2009