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I still remember the first time I ate Taste of Thailand. It was 1994, or thereabouts. My younger sister, a candy raver at the time, brought home a carton of the restaurant’s Pad Thai with fried tofu, claiming it was her new favorite and insisting I try it. Me being the “picky eater” that I am, was skeptical at first. After all, it was tofu, and bean sprouts had always irked me on some level. I threw caution to the wind, however, and on a blustery winter night in the mid-nineties, a new obsession was born.

As the years past, my geographic location in the Twin Cities changed a number of times; from Highland Park to Midway to a short stint in Roseville to Northeast Minneapolis to Highland Park again and then back to Northeast Minneapolis. No matter where I went, I always held dear the little hole-in-the-wall Thai joint that forced me out of my bean sprout-hating shell. Return visits, whether they be for take-out or dine-in have never disappointed. And to this day, I almost always order the Pad Thai with Tofu.

Not to say I haven’t tried other delights on Taste of Thailand’s menu, because I most certainly have. We’ll start with the basics: Appetizers. I’ve always been a fan of finger food, small plates, hors d’ouevres, and so on. I have a hard time making decisions when faced with too many delicious options, so when dining out I often opt for a couple of appetizers rather than an entree. I can get down with a Pupu Platter with the best of ‘em. TOT’s app menu is pretty standard for an American Thai restaurant, but they do offer a few weird things that I, picky as I am, won’t touch with a ten-foot pole such as Squid-stuffed Chicken Wings and Bamboo Shoots. I am, however, completely enamored with their cream cheese wontons. Super-thin, delicate wonton skins encase the perfect amount of sweet cream cheese and come with a side of sauce that I imagine has a honey base. Also of note, their fresh Spring Rolls are fat tubular treats jammed with crunchy sprouts, cellophane noodles, lettuce, cilantro, shrimp and pork (veggie option available) and come with a perfect peanut sauce.

Of course I’ve already mentioned the Pad Thai, but I’ll rave about it a bit here too. I can often make three meals out of an order of Taste of Thailand’s Pad Thai, and that’s no lie. The massive portion of flavorful, fried noodles is tossed with crisp bean sprouts, green onion, crushed pepper (1-5 spicy), and whatever meat option you’re into — or the aforementioned fried tofu or mock dock. A mound of crushed peanuts and a lemon wedge accompany, of course. Also a favorite is the Masaman Curry, a saucy concoction of slim cuts of beef, tender potatoes and a fiery yet sweet curry served with a side of white rice — personally, I’d be perfectly delighted to eat the rice and curry sauce on their own. The sweet n’ spicy Papaya Salad is also worth trying, with shredded green papaya, green beans and the perfect balance of heat. Of course, no trip to Taste of Thailand is complete without sharing a dainty dish of their Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango, a cool, delectable finish to your spicy meal.

Ambiance-wise Taste of Thailand is a bit questionable, with a generic-looking storefront, typically slow service and inconsistent decor featuring some modern elements, some traditional, and some aspects that are just plain crappy and old. But what TOT lacks in looks, it makes up for in spirit (and of course, food). The big dining room is quite jovial on the weekends, and chill enough on the weekdays for a cute, unpretentious dinner date. After all, it’s what’s inside the kitchen that counts.

Like many good little Asian restaurants, Taste of Thailand doesn’t have an official website, but you can check out their menu via menuism.com HERE and also read other diner’s reviews via Yelp HERE.

Taste of Thailand, 1669 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul, (651-644-3997)

Other locations include 1753 Old Hudson Rd. in St. Paul, as well as a couple Minneapolis locations.

I’d like to consider myself an adventurous diner. Although some would call my vegan diet restrictive, I’ve learned most restaurants have a least a few items that can be slightly tweaked, and I am the last person to veto a restaurant for fear there’s nothing I can eat – there’s always a drink menu, right?

But when the Russian restaurant, Moscow on the Hill, was suggested, I must admit I was a bit hesitant. Besides tall fuzzy hats and vodka, my knowledge of Russia is severely lacking, and my familiarity with  Russian cuisine is even worse. Assured on the car ride over that the borsht was not only delicious but could be made vegan, I was sold.

Located on Cathedral Hill across from W.A. Frost, Moscow on the Hill is St. Paul’s only Russian diner and boasts a menu of traditional and highly authentic food and drink, not to mention the most comprehensive and rich vodka collection in the Midwest.

While the dining room décor is nothing impressive (souped up cafeteria-style, hanging lamps draped with embroidered scarves and a few ornamental knick knacks), the patio is quite large yet intimate, privately enclosed by gorgeous vines and tall fences.

One of the best kept secrets of Moscow on the Hill is their happy hour offering half-price specials on rail drinks, house vodka, beer and a $7 Pirozshok and Borsht combo. Since we were a few minutes early to take advantage of the specials, we ordered regular priced drinks. The extensive 20+ signature martini menu (all for only $7.95) made the decision a bit difficult, but I finally decided on “From Russia with Love,” a classic martini made with Tanqueray gin, Stoli, and dry vermouth, after salivating for minutes over the “Red October” – Stoli Vanil, 3 Olives Chocolate, Pepper vodka and a dash of dark Crème de Cocao. My fellow diners ordered the Troika martini- brandy, Stoli Citros and Chateau Marusya – and the Pear Pressure, a house specialty drink made with Absolut Pear vodka, Ace Pear Cider and a splash of brandy. Delectable sips from all three confirmed that the Moscow on the Hill bartender is definitely skilled.

When happy hour arrived, I ordered the Pirozhok and Borsht special, minus the sour cream topping. The Pirozshok is traditional Russian “pie” consisting of a warm yeast dough bun stuffed with either cabbage or beef, but it was the Borsht, a vegetable soup made from beetroots, that I was most excited about. And thankfully, the soup did not disappoint. It was a gorgeous, deep crimson, hot bowl of perfectly favored red beets, cooked onions and delicious potatoes, the epitome of Spring itself.

And because no Russian dining experience is complete without vodka (or claims the menu), we finished our meal off with Garlic and Dill and Chateau Marusya (cherry) house shots. The Chateau Marusya was a bit too Robitussin for my taste, but the Garlic and Dill, garnished with a pickle, was crisp and savory.

I will definitely be returning to Moscow on the Hill, if only to try the 6 shot Vodka Flights, featuring a $20-35 medley of house, international, flavored and elite vodkas.

As they say in Russia, Na Zdorovie (“to your health”)!

Moscow on the Hill Happy Hour:

Monday – Thursday: 5-6 PM and 9-10 PM
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 4-6 PM

Moscow on the Hill

371 Selby Ave

St. Paul, MN

(651) 291-1236

Matt Thomas (right) and Joe Mauer (left) are probably talking about Saint Paul in this picture

As much fun as we have doing things together as a family, St. Paul offers us a chance to have some fun when just hanging out with friends , without having to leave the area. For me, I rarely even need to leave Grand Avenue.  It’s a street that I consider the perfect locale for a “Split up Session”.  My guy friends and I can find a game on TV at one of the great bars and restaurants.  Or sometimes we just enjoy a beverage on one of the pub patios while our wives check out the what they call “too cute” shops all along Grand.

Matt Thomas and Family

Since St. Paul is my neighborhood, here’s by “Best of” list for spots around town:

Best burger joint-  The Nook

Best place to go have a beer and strike up a conversation at the bar-  Groveland Tap

Best get dressed up and have dinner place-  The Lexington

Best breakfast served til 2:30pm-  The Grandview Grill

Best street to go take the kids for a walk- Along Mississippi River Boulevard

Best place to go sledding-  on the huge hill across from the Town and Country Country Clubhouse

Best summer programs-  St. Paul Parks and Recreation Urban Tennis

Best arena-  Xcel Energy Center (I’ve been to over a hundred different arenas in the country and this is one of the best)

Best way to enjoy the river-  Paddleboat ride from Harriet Island

Best Mom/Dad overnight trip away from the kids-  Saint Paul Hotel with a do not disturb sign

-Matt Thomas is the primary host of Twins baseball coverage on AM1500 KSTP. Listen to him on AM1500 as you drive to the stadium. Look for him broadcasting live from the plaza when you head into the ‘dome.