In The Thai Fashion

Because Thai food relies on herbs such as lemon grass and coriander leaves and fruits such as mangos, guavas and apples, it has a good name as being easy to digest and fun to eat. Keep in mind that when ordering, however, that Thai cuisine relies heavily on chili peppers, so be sure to specify just how hot or mild you want your food served. Many find beer the best accompaniment to Thai food (if the good Singha beer from Thailand is available be sure to try it). Those who insist on wine will do well with a dry Gewurztraminer from Alsace

Coconut: Maskit 32, Industrial area of Herzliya Pituach. (09) 956-8959. Sun - Fri 12:00 - 16:00 and 19:00 - 01:00; Sat 13:00 - 01:00. A welcoming and warm atmosphere and good service. Among other things, try the dm sum filled with shrimp, stir fried shrimp and onions in curry sauce; chicken with sliced ginger and mushrooms, hot beef and beans in curry paste, the roast duck in coconut milk. If you like hot dishes, go for the beef and beans in curry paste or the braised lamb. Also good vegetarian offerings. Moderate prices.

Thai House: Bograshov 8, Tel Aviv. (03) 5178568. Daily 12:00 - 23:00. A simple but pleasant setting with good dumplings filled with chicken and vegetables; yam pett (a cold salad with duck seasoned with lime juice, chili peppers and red onions); shrimps with mushrooms and chili peppers and stir-fried vegetables. Reasonable prices.

Rungsit: Jabotinsky 2, Jerusalem. Tel (02) 5611757. Sun - Thurs 12:00 - 23:00, Fri until 16:00; Sat night. Whether one considers the decor genuine Thai or merely kitsch is open to question but the atmosphere and service are good and the satai gai (marinated, grilled chicken breast), mi krob (fried rice noodles), phad Khang (lamb with ginger and black mushrooms) are worth trying. Moderate prices. Kosher.

Shangrila: Hayarkon 105, Tel Aviv. Tel (03) 5234763. Sun - Thurs 12:30 - 24:00; Fri until 15:30 and Sat night. Westernized but with a pleasant atmosphere. Steamed cabbage and noodles, stir fried beef with chili peppers, phad Thai (rice noodles fired with cubes of chicken eggs, ground peanuts, bean sprouts and spring onions) tam yom soup, rice pudding with chestnuts. Moderate. Kosher.

Siam (Thai), Hamat Gader. (04) 665-9933. Mon - Sat 12:00 - 24:00; Sun 12:00 - 15:00. Overlooking the natural hot springs of Hamat Gader, this is an especially good place to visit with children. Chicken and tofu with coriander, chicken soup with lemon grass, Saint Peter's fish in tamarindi sauce. Kosher.

© Daniel Rogov