Pok Pok Walks the Talk

With an appeal for donations to relief efforts for Burmese cyclone victims on its home page, Pok Pok shows why it's the go-to spot for the real flavors of the streets of SE Asia. In a previous post, before they opened their front patio and another dining room in the house next door, I said it rocked. And I'm here to tell you, that hasn't changed.

We were invited on the occasion of the Good Fairy's birthday, making a party of six. We ran through a fair sampling of the dinner menu, larger parties being a good idea at a place like this. Among other items, we sampled the Chinese Muslim Lamb Skewers, little cubes of lamby lusciousness; Laap Pet Isaan, a northeastern Thai dish of duck breast, liver and cracklings topped with mint, sawtooth herb (culantro), mint and lime (photo, top), richly flavored with just the right balance between herb and meat; as well as their classic green papaya salad which gave a tart and refreshing break from the many many meaty items.

Despite the fact that we'd ordered more than we probably should have, a special of whole fish came to the table and was set upon with gusto by all present, its mild flavor a nuanced combination of fresh mushrooms and herbs, showing that everything that comes out of this kitchen doesn't have to be spicy hot or strongly flavored.

The cocktails carried their weight, too, the night's special a coconut milk, lime and mango-infused vodka that was almost milkshake-like and icy, though the mango was pretty much lost in the richness of the coconut milk. There was also a drink using an Asian fruit vinegar as the base, which may be a new ingredient we'll be experimenting with here at home.

Details: Pok Pok, 3226 SE Division St. Phone 503-232-138.