Changes to TP

Hello TP readers,

Sorry for the lack of posting - the year has started very busy, and maintaining a blog means time commitment! As a result, to save both you and I time, I will be presenting a new template for my restaurant reviews, called "Restaurant on a page".

Basically it is inspired by the corporate world - a "one pager" which is given to high level management who don't have the time to get into the details, but allowing them to read a quick summary so they are aware of the scenario.

I've noticed that with the less time I have, when I read other food blogs, I am starting to skim read. To address that, "Restaurant on a page" will be a simple review that shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to read.

It is broken up into 4 headings

1 - BEFORE THE MEAL

2- THE MEAL

3 - THE RATING

4 - THE VERDICT

I hope this will make it a lighter read, and will bring a consistent way of reviewing restaurants. Every now and then, a feature restaurant will be reviewed, which will be a more in depth review. Also, I keep forgetting to bring my camera to take pictures of the food, which makes me not write up a review, so for now, I will just be using my phone camera, which means the photos won't be as good, but the review will be written and posted. Hope you find the changes overall to be an improvement. If not, your feedback is welcomed.

The other change is that TP Big Brother has moved from Melbourne to Auckland. My plan is to discover this new city through its restaurants/food/wine, and to conquer the city by doing the Auckland marathon.

It's good to be back on Twin Palates. Enjoy

- TP Big Bro

Restaurant on a Page - Mai Thai, Auckland

Mai Thai

Cnr Victoria & Albert Street

Auckland Central

Ph: 09 366 6258

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=====BEFORE THE MEAL

I see a place on the corner. Painted outside are words saying the restaurant has won a good food award in 2007. I see the words "famous thai cuisine", so I give it a shot. Once I am seated, I am immediately hit with the reknown good service this place gloats about. I feel comfortable within the authentic Thai setting, with the traditional looking table ware, and thai decor. I want this food to be exceptional so I can write a really good review. I order from the separate "signature dish" menu

=====THE MEAL

Appetiser - Tod man pla - light curry flavoured fish cake - $9.50

The good
- Authentic thai flavour
- Not too oily

The bad
- nothing that special

Main - Gaeng ped yang + rice - roast duck with red curry and thai lychee - $23.50

The good
- Authentic thai flavour
- range of flavour - hot, spicy, salty, sweet (lychee), sour (pineapple)

The bad
- way too salty
- duck quiet chewy (overcooked)


=====THE RATING

5 - Exceptional
4 - Great
3 - Average
2 - Mediocre
1 - Never again

=====THE VERDICT
Worth it / Come again?
A bit pricey for what it was, but food was pretty authentic and the service was excellent. The lady saw that I was reacting to the heat of the curry, and asked if it was too spicy. I said "a little but it's not bad". She then proceed to fill up my glass whenever it was empty (probably had 3 or 4 glasses when eating the curry), and she told me at the end that next time I can ask to make the curry less spicy. I'll be coming back to try other items on the menu