"Lacha Somtum is quaint and unusual and magnificently good. I hosted a party of 7 there recently, and our evening was wonderful! Chiang Mai Sausage (on the menu as Curry Pork Sausage) was the standout dish, so good that I didn't have a chance to take a pic before my guests made it disappear. Each bite-sized slice was tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. Not a hint of toughness. The Papaya Salad with cooked shrimp was another favorite; it was spicy, crunchy, and refreshing! Spicy Eggplant had a light savory flavor that was great at the start and even seemed to improve as the dish cooled. Several in our party who missed a second helping of eggplant (because it went quickly) spooned the remaining sauce over rice. Green Curry with chicken was delicate and subtle. We also had Crab Fried Rice, Fried Tofu, Shrimp Cakes, Panang Curry with Shrimp, and Mama Sue Noodle Hot Pot (Tom Yum) all winners. The only slight disappointment was the Crab Pad Thai. It tasted great, but seemed identical to Pad Thai made with tofu; we couldn't taste the crab. It was hardly a deal breaker. Note however, an ACTUAL deal breaker for some people will be that Lacha Somtum doesn't serve beer, wine, or spirits. This was not a factor for us. Service was attentive and friendly. All of the above including various teas and soft drinks cost $235 including tax and tip.From the outside, the restaurant looks small and quaint, but the inside feels large and airy. The room is a charming mish-mash of various types of tables and chairs, many with colorful plush upholstery, and a somewhat incongruous deli-style display next to the kitchen. The overall effect of food, room, and service made Lacha Somtum a solid winner for our group."
