"Thai cuisine is my favorite. For nearly four decades I have frequented dozens, probably hundreds, of Thai restaurants at all levels, from the simplest to pretty darn fancy. Never in my 68 years on this planet have I paid, in a relatively normal neighborhood Thai eatery, $90 for two main courses, two beers, and 3 portions of rice. I had to experience this in Montreal, in the country of my birth, on a visit Chao Phraya for this rapina a mano armata. A half-cup of boiled rice for $4. A Singha for $9. Never -- not in Paris, not in New York, not in London, not in Berlin -- have I ever encountered such scandalously outrageous prices in an establishment of this quality. A simple green curry chicken for $23. Of course, I could -- and should -- have walked out. And it's true: when I ordered the beer and an extra portion of rice, I didn't even look at the menu to verify the price. I loudly complained about these ripoff prices at the conclusion of the meal, and the service person told me that I should have checked the menu first. No apology, no explanation, no excuse, just utter barefaced shamelessness. They are thieves pure and simple."
