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Restaurant: Crystal Spoon 晶湯匙泰式主題餐廳

By Gavin Phipps
STAFF REPORTER
Friday, Mar 05, 2004, Page 19

The Crystal Spoon serves great food in a ``fusion'' environment. PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES

Since opening for business in December, the Crystal Spoon Thai restaurant has become the lunch venue of choice for large numbers of office workers who play their trades in the ever-developing Xinyi district. From midday through early afternoon, Monday to Friday, there's rarely an empty seat in the chic joint.

Unlike many of the capital's Thai restaurants the Crystal Spoon doesn't attempt to recreate Siam by adorning its walls with photographs of Wat Arun, The Grand Palace and the Chao Praya River. The designers have forsaken all of the aforementioned and instead created a dining environment more in tune with that of a modern fusion-styled dining establishment.

Red velvet seating, overly large and spacious tables, glitzy lighting and some rather offbeat interior decorations, including large velvet balls and MTV style imagery, add new dimensions to dining out on Thai food in Taipei. In addition to the inner seating area the joint also has a bar area. The long bar offers diners an unrestricted view of the fourth floor shopping precinct.

The progressive decor might not conjure up traditional images of Thailand, but the food served up at the Crystal Spoon certainly does and offers diners a smorgasbord of customary Siamese spices to savor.

Packed with tangy Thai nibbles, soups, main courses and salads, the menu has nearly anything any true aficionado of Thai cuisine could wish for. Crispy fried seafood and spicy appetizers are extensive, with the Crystal Spoon offering diners the choice of 13 mouthwatering starters ranging in price from NT$220 to NT$420.

The restaurant's salads are an equally good way to start any meal. Ranging in price from NT$250 to NT$350 they are all laced with fiery chilies and pack a real punch. This is especially true of the house specialty salad, the aptly named, seafood mixed hot salad (NT$300), which sees a mixture of shrimps, clams, crab and squid served up with tangy Thai spices.

The joint's most popular entrees are currently the curries, of which there are eight different flavors and heat levels from which to choose. Whether diners opt for a mild green chicken curry with coconut milk (N$280) or a spicier red vegetable curry (NT$300), they won't be disappointed. The place also offers diners an extensive drinks list, which includes soft drinks, cocktails, beers and stiffer aperitifs. The Crystal Spoon makes for an enjoyable setting for a quick lunch or a lengthy meal with friends.
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