Restaurant Review: Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights

Arunee Thai in Jackson Heights, serves the classic menu of a Thai eatery in America to a tee. The quality of the food and service combined with the affordable prices makes it a must for a casual weekday dinner or an introduction to Thai cuisine.

Arunee Thai is a great Thai restaurant for an informal occasion. Bring friends who have never savored Tom Kha Gai soup here, and don't forget the daily specials. Arunee Thai's attractively lit, modest dining room can easily seat large groups.

Dinner starts with a free bowl of shrimp chips or crisps, served with a peanut dipping sauce. If more peanut dip is to your liking, I recommend munching on deep fried bean curd as an appetizer.

The food is excellent. You can't go wrong with their green or red curries, nor the Pad Prik dishes. Presentation matters here, as well as service. Entrees are affordable, and an entire dinner for two with soup, entrees, and beer or Thai iced tea should cost about $30.

There is also a dessert counter with many puddings and custards. We enjoyed a deliciously cool rice pudding compliments of our waiter on our first visit. It was a delightful way to end a meal and begin a relationship with this restaurant. Recently, I sampled a great pumpkin custard, layers of cool custard on warm pumpkin flesh still in a squash shell.

One minor caveat: Be careful with a large order of Tom Kha Gai soup. Though the delicious, the large portion is served in a tureen with a sterno or other incandescent on the inside to keep the soup warm. As we enjoyed our first bowl, the remaining broth began to scorch from the heat. Put it out!