"Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived.A kitschy, homey Thai spot in the heart of Thai Town may be slightly no-frills, but it's got a lot of heart—not to mention heat. What was the crowd like?These are serious heat seekers and Thai food lovers, a combo of young international travelers and Southeast Asians looking for a taste of home. What should we be drinking?You'll want something to cool your palate, like a sweet Thai tea or a Singha beer. That and a bowl of rice, which actually cools the palate. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.There are over 300 dishes on the Jitlada menu, so it definitely takes some navigating. One thing you can be sure of, though, is that pretty much all of them are scorchers. Highlights include the Southern dry curry, spicy eggplant, green curry with mussels, fried morning glories, and crispy catfish salad. The showstopper of all of them is the seabass, served whole and studded with loads of punchy ginger. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?The staff is loving and attentive and will make you feel right at home. Owner Sarintip "Jazz" Singsanong is the Thai auntie you always wished you had." - Krista Simmons
