In our family, birthdays are always spent eating out, but the problem is, my parents are not adventurous enough to try new places. So every time it's someone's birthday, my sister always insists on us eating at Thaipan, which is her favorite restaurant, which never happens because my dad prefers to eat steak. 

One Saturday noon, I invited my sisters and mother for a girls' lunch out--because my father and brother were not home at the time. And yet again, my sister wanted us to try Thaipan, for some reason, there was no objection--in fact, we were all excited. 

Thaipan is also owned by the owners of Romulo, and at that thought, I was excited to see the interiors of the place. Just when I stepped in their front yard (outdoor dining area), the very sleek, simple and modern design of the place captivated me. Everything looks simple in a glance, but their attention to details like the lighting fixtures, the Asian decor, and their choice of white and neutral colors set the mood for a very comfortable and appetizing dining experience.

What we ordered:

Tom Yum Kung (Hot and Sour Soup) (P130, makes 4 bowls) 

What's unique about this is that the spiciness of the soup kicks in after you swallow. You taste its sourness first before the 'hotness'.  Because I have low tolerance for spicy food, we asked for it to be made mild, but for people who love spicy, go ahead and enjoy it the way it is served. What I loved about the soup more than the taste are the 12 pieces of very fresh and succulent shrimp in it. It also has tanglad and mushrooms with wansuy on top. The very generous portions of sahog are really what makes this dish a winner for me.

Phanaeng Neur Yang (Beef Curry)( P360)

When the waiter put this in our table, my mother noticed that there were more eggplants than beef parts, so she just mentioned it nicely to the server, and to our surprise, he took it back to replace some of the talong with more beef. Talk about great service. The US beef slices are very flavorful and tender, with just the right mix of curry and coconut milk. This dish is perfect for the saying "Sauce palang ulam na". haha!

Oka Kapong Neung Manao (Steamed Fish Fillet in Lime and Chili Sauce) (P340)

This dish is a balancer among all the curry, the spiciness and the coconut milk that their food have. Topped with garlic bits and red chili slices and drizzled with lime sauce, it is nice variation to the usual dory served in lemon sauce.

Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut Milk (P180)

For dessert, my other sister insisted on Sticky rice because it is her favorite. Wrapped in pandan leaves, it is very exciting to eat a portion of sticky rice, dip it in coconut milk and with a slice of mango all in one spoonful. This adds a nice touch and is a very satisfying meal-ender.

Thai Milk Tea (P90)

Of course, you can never go to a Thai restaurant without tasting their milk tea. The photo shows one order of Thai Milk tea split into two. For me, I hoped for it to be a little more creamier and less sweeter, so I helped myself and added water and milk to even out the taste--but maybe it's just me. 

Overall, I think Thaipan has a lot to offer, and I would definitely go back to try out their other dishes.

The light mood, the nice interiors, the flavorful food, and the impeccable service really charmed us as we had girl talks, shared gossip, and just chilled on a hot lazy Saturday noon.

Thaipan is located at 120 Sct. Dr. Lazcano St., Tomas Morato

Quezon City.