The blog is back!! It was a busy past few weeks filled with amazing homecooking but no new restaurants until….TONIGHT at the much anticipated Thai Flavors!

Located near E 14th St and University. Small sign so you have to look closely to find it.

I started with some Jasmine Hot Tea. Because it is cold outside and look how cute it is!

Crab Rangoon appetizer? yes please!

Sweet and cheesy…

Now I usually like everyone to order something a little different to showcase a variety of flavors, but we were all craving noodles. I honestly tried to talk myself out of it, especially after hearing Lauren’s suggestion to try the Three Flavor Fish. But I had to follow my gut (literally). So here are three Noodles. Check out their full menu at thaiflavorsiowa.com.

Nicole ordered a Yellow Curry w/ Chicken. Spicy yellow curry cooked with coconut milk, noodles, vegetables, and your choice of meat. She gave this meal a 10. Lots of flavor and just the right amount of spice.

Choice of meat includes: Chicken, Beef or Pork.
Combination includes: Chicken, Beef and Pork. Add $2.00
Substitute with Shrimp, Calamari or Roasted Duck. Add $4.00
Substitute with Scallop, Seasonal Fish or Seafood Combination. Add $5.00

I went the Drunken Noodles (Pad-Kee-Mao) Stir-fried flat rice noodles and your choice of meat (I went with beef) with mixed vegetables, chili and fresh sweet basil leaves in homemade basil sauce. A delicious blend of flavors.

One thing to watch out for is their spice level: 0=No Spice to 6=Iowan Hot. I went with a 1=Mild and it was perfect for me. But after trying Terri’s 2=Medium I needed immediate water.

Terri went with Pad See-Ew Stir-fried flat rice noodles with egg in brown sweet sauce with broccoli and your choice of meat (beef). Her go-to is the Drunken Noodles, but this was almost as satisfying.

We had a lot of food left on our plates. And you know what I love…..leftovers!

Fortune Rollups (like fortune cookies but rolled!) came with the bill.

As we were taking turns at the register, I noticed this wall of daily specials. eh-hem….Wednesday FREE Dessert when you order and appetizer, entree and drink. eh-hem! Dessert to go please. :)

Mango with Sweet Sticky Rice (a $6 value, folks). We each grabbed a bite as we left and my gosh it was wonderful! I think the best thing you can do when standing outside in a slight drizzle is take a bite of sweet fruit mixed with warm soothing rice. Seriously try it.

I don’t know why the rice is green, but it added an exotic touch.

Interesting fact: After asking how far they deliver we found out that they do not discriminate against any part of town. BECAUSE they are affiliated with Cool Basil and Zuzap in West Des Moines and Thai Flavors in Ankeny and this one handles the rest. Cool!

Rating: 8 out 10 (great tastes, great prices….but they almost forgot our dessert)

So I was googling “curry” and Ann Curry kept popping up and it made me laugh, so she is our rating symbol today.

Hope you have a Spectacular New Year!!!