Post Cards from Thailand, Fall 2013

It's been 10 years since I last visited the homeland!  Bangkok has always been ahead of it's time and it seems that each new construction is bigger and better than the last.  I often think of Bangkok as the Dubai of Southeast Asia.  Despite the rapid modernization and technology boom, the country is very much deeply rooted in ancient history and tradition; one can still find things made "the old fashioned way".  The infrastructure however, has yet to catch up.  In Bangkok, you'll find a luxury skyscraper next to a ramshackle.  Thailand can best be described as a dichotomy of the old and new.   So while Thailand has changed in many ways over the last decade, it still retains its old world charm...

The highlight of my trip (other than eating Thai food) was touring ancient Buddhist temples and Royal palaces (there are many).  My most remarkable memory is of "The Temple of Emerald Buddha and The Grand Palace".  These two separate entities share the same grounds.  Each is comprised of a series of massive buildings and structures, spanning over 200 acres smack in the middle of Bangkok.  This prime real estate makes the Grand Palace the priciest in the World, befitting His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the longest reigning monarch in the World!

Both the Temple and Palace are amazing feats of classic Thai architecture, design, and construction.  Each structure is "over-the-top" grandiose and painstakingly ornate.  It is such a breathtaking sight to behold!  As I walked through the hallowed grounds, I was reminded that over 25 years ago, Duangrat's was designed and built as an homage to Thailand;  capturing its timeless beauty with hand painted artwork & murals, intricate woodwork & detailed furnishings in every nook and cranny of the restaurant.  
Duangrat's is a truly one-of-kind gem.  It is classy and classic.  

Duangrat's is the most awarded and longest operating Thai restaurant in the D.C. Metro area.  Call me biased, but I really can't think of any other Thai restaurant that evokes the feeling of actually being in Thailand and eating authentic Thai cuisine!  

A pegoda at one of the Royal summer residences- Ayutthaya, TH

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, Th

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, TH

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, Th

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, Th

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, Th

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, TH

Temple of the Emerald Buddha- Bangkok, TH

Temple of the Emerald Buddha- Bangkok, TH

Temple of the Emerald Buddha- Bangkok, TH


Nongnuch Botanical Park- Pattaya Beach, Th

A grilled chicken vendor

Temple ruins- Ayutthaya, TH

A traditional Thai home

Floating market after hours- Ayutthaya, TH

Move over shrimp, this is spicy chopped prawn salad!

Meatballs!  Random street vendor in Bangkok, TH

The transportation of choice!

Thai traffic- 24/7!

Temple of the Emerald Buddha- Bangkok, TH

"Water taxi" at the Floating Market- Pattaya Beach, Th

My favorite Thai dessert- coconut ice cream!

Fried oyster omelet

Did I mention my favorite Thai dessert?!
Coconut ice cream between the bun- the Thai ice cream sandwich!

As seen on tastingtable.com!

Hi friends, check out our latest write-up by tastingtable.com, about our weekend Thai tapas lunch 

and our soon-to-be famous "Sticky Wings"!   Click on their logo to view the write-up:

 

 

Local chefs Anthony Chittum of Vermillion & Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve 

LOVE our food!  When in Old Town Alexandria, be sure to check them out.  
Thank you chefs!  

Download the Chefs Feed app on your smartphone to get the first chef-driven restaurant guide

to the best food cities in the U.S.

As featured in Washingtonian Magazine, October 2012

Hot off the press, Duangrat's is one of Washingtonian Magazine's 50 "Best Breakfasts"!  
Actually, we don't serve breakfast, but our lunch is sooo good, we're included anyways!

Weekends from 11AM to 3PM

Ahhh, lazy weekends.....whether rolling out of bed late, in-between the weekend Target & Trader Joe's run, or looking for a quick bite before the 'Skins kick-off, Duangrat's keeps weekend lunch casual & fun!  

We offer our delicious & diverse Asian small plates menu of 30 a la carte treats, priced from $3 to $7!  Just to whet your appetite, think...Kung Pao Chicken Pops, Beef Massamun Curry Crepe, Peking Duck Roll, Lychee Dumplings, Chicken Basil Deviled Eggs...yummm!

Want to keep things quick & simple?  No worries, we also offer an abridged menu of our 10 most popular lunch entrees, each served with our signature Asian Caesar salad & crispy vegetarian spring roll, each set just $12!  

Duangrat's is frying up some Thai "Sticky Wings"!!!

Born and raised here (in NoVA), when I’m not eating Thai food, I crave good ol’ “American” comfort food.  Luckily, it seems to me that the last 3-5 years have seen a re-emergence of comfort food appearing in the unlikely menus of both upscale and ethnic restaurants.

What gives?  I think with the slow economy, savvy chefs & restaurateurs are keen on offering food that not only makes people feel good eating, but without the guilt of splurging money on the luxury of dining out! 

Duangrat’s is proud to roll out our soon to be famous “Sticky Wings”!  You heard that right…move over Bonchon!  These are extra crispy fried roaster wings glazed with our Thai rendition of “sticky sauce”- caramelized palm sugar & fish sauce.  The texture is perfect- just enough of the “sticky” to seal in the flavor, not enough "gooey"- to diminish the crisp.   The taste?  Who doesn’t love sweet, salty & spicy? 

Did I mention Michel Richard (Citronelle/ Central) is doing fried chicken?!  Indeed, fried chicken transcends every culture & cuisine.  “Sticky sauce” throughout Southeast Asia, is as traditional as “buffalo sauce” is in America.  Duangrat's has always been inspired by authenticity, but not limited by it.  This is our interpretation of "wings".  Enjoy our plate of six hearty roaster wings served with traditional sides of papaya “slaw” & sticky rice- $15.