Back to Back, A Perfect Combo: Lers Ros Thai and Smitten Ice Cream – Gems of the Hayes Valley

And the never-ending foodie adventures continue with my family. This weekend in particular we checked out the Hayes Valley – a district of the city I had never hung around – but now have every excuse to do so. The perfect weather this past weekend definitely helped the cause. It's a part of town filled with twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and families alike. Hayes Street is lined with cute boutiques A tiny, grassy square off is bordered by a biergarten (what!), a confisserie with dainty candy treats on display, and...Smitten Ice Cream. More on that later, as I want to walk you through the decadent day as it occurred.

We went to Lers Ros Thai for lunch. It's not your average Thai restaurant by looking at its facade – it's modern, sleek, and seems to be furnished by Ikea – you sit on clear plastic chairs. I know what you might be thinking: From these aesthetics alone, how could this somewhat pretentious setting bear amazing, authentic food? 

 

Well, quite simply, it does.

Don't get me wrong, the prices exceed say, King of Thai, by a couple dollars – not a bad thing.

The service is prompt and quick, as most experiences I've had at Thai restaurants have been.

Everything blew me away: 

Pad Thai ($8.95)

 

 

 

A usual, predictable choice – but I don't care. I love it. Here, it's perfect. The texture is where it should be – I've had some before where the noodles were just too soggy and it was like I was eating Pad Thai spaghetti. 

Kang Daeng ($10.95)

 

This is a wonderfully spicy Thai curry with Thai eggplant, Bamboo shoot, bell peppers, and sliced meat of your choice – we had chicken. The bowl that it's served in can be rather deceiving, but it was able to perfectly fill 4 people. The sauce is addictive and I couldn't help but slather it on my rice, as I did so many times when I made green curry during my days as an expat in France. It's well-balanced and incredibly satisfying. 

Pad Kra Prow Moo Krob

($10.95)

This is where the Filipino in me salivates. For those of you who are familiar with Philippine cuisine, one of our star players is Lechon Kawali – chopped stir-fried or broiled pork belly. In this Thai dish, it's mixed with basil leaves and in that “Pad Kra” kind of way. I typically have this with minced beef but who knew it would be great with a dish that I've had all my life? Pretty awesome, I must say.

Nuer Yang ($10.95)

This is broiled top-sirloin beef, sliced and served with lime juice. As simple as it sounds, it actually tastes quite unique – I don't know how else to describe it – but there must be something in the marinade that makes it taste so magical. There's definitely some citrus action going on, as it tastes very tangy and fresh.

Of course with our mouths inflamed, we were in the mood for some ice cream. Luckily, down a couple blocks from Lers Ros after a sharp turn to the left next to the aforementioned park, sits Smitten Ice Cream. A modern-day ice cream stand. It's ice cream made to order and instantly frozen with liquid nitrogen. 

The result of this method is creamier ice cream: 

 

All the flavors are great, but my favorite would have to chocolate as chocolate is my favorite thing ever.

Locations:

 

Lers Ros Thai

307 Hayes Street, San Francisco

between Franklin and Gough

Open Daily 10am-11pm

Smitten Ice Cream

432 Octavia Street, San Francisco

Open Everyday from 12pm-9pm, until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays

Power of the Purple Restaurant: King of Thai Noodle House

Cheap and authentic Thai food that's a mere one block away from Union Square? Tourists and locals alike who get hunger pains from a day of sightseeing or shopping can enjoy King of Thai Noodle House on O'Farrell Street in San Francisco. Its walls are painted purple, just like the shirts of its waitstaff, both of which make for a fun, inviting ambiance.

Pad Thai is a hit or miss at Thai restaurants, but I definitely think it's a winner at this restaurant. It's the most popular dish in this cuisine, with its textural and tasty combination of stir fried rice noodles, shrimp, egg, ground peanuts, tofu and bean sprouts in a fish sauce and tamarind juice. At only $6.25, this is practically a good deal meal in itself. 

Their Pumpkin Curry ($8.25) is filled with chicken, squash, Thai basil, and chicken. It's highlighted quite nicely by a bright, spicy flavor -- elements that fit perfectly this autumn season. You'll find yourself drenching the remaining sauce all over your rice to the point that you've practically licked both dishes clean. 

Hoi Jor ($6.95) is deep fried bean curd filled with ground pork, crab meat, ground shrimp, and ground water chestnuts, served alongside sweet plum sauce. The thin, crispy bean curd encases a meaty, succulent interior. I found myself quite addicted. 














Another notable item on the menu is Kao Gra Prow ($8.25), which I didn't order this time around in an attempt to try new things and therefore don't have a picture on hand. It's a combination of any meat of your choice (chicken, beef, pork, or seafood -- shrimp, calamari, imitation crab meat, and sliced fish cake), thai basil, red pepper, and thai chili, all served over a mound of white rice. I always order it with ground beef. It has just the right amount of spiciness, which allows the dish to fare well with rice. 

Location: 184 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA