If you are ever in Houston and have the need for some excellent and authentic Thai food, please visit my friends at Kanomwan (on Telephone Road, near the University of Houston). I have never found any place to rival in Houston. Kanomwan is a small establishment run by a man and his wife whose names I can never pronounce, much less spell. It seats about 60-70 people and its packed at lunch time. Dinner patrons are far less crowded - there's never a wait. Be patient with the service - one man can only do so much, and his English is very broken. Also, they serve no alcoholic beverages, but you can bring your own - many regulars are seen with small coolers with a bottle of wine or their favorite beer. The food is best at dinner. I strongly recommend the Sa Te (pronounced Saw tay) as an appetizer, Tom Ka Gai as your soup (enough in one order for 2-3), and Pad Thai as your noodle dish. Entrees vary from unbearably hot to mild. I have a particular fondness for the Pad King (chicken with gingeroot and straw mushrooms), but others with a hotter palate might try the Pad Panang (chicken with chili sauce and coconut milk) or the Pad Ka Pao (pad kah POW! - watch out for this one, it sneaks up on you!). The tab for two is usually about $30. Enjoy!
Houston, TX