Thailand’s popular green curry is a balancing act of flavors and sensations. Coconut milk provides a sweet, creamy base for the most important ingredient — curry paste, a complex mixture of spices, herbs, roots, and other ingredients that combine to create a nuanced and aromatic dish. The heat in green curry comes from fresh hot green chiles, and it continues to build throughout the meal. At Play checked out three versions done with chicken.
THE PLACE: Thai Pastry and Restaurant
More Top Picks Best Harmonicas
4925 N. Broadway
773-784-5399
THE STATS: $8.95 plus $1 for rice
THE COMMENTS: What you get: A bowl of curry with chicken, bamboo shoots, Thai eggplant, Japanese eggplant, fresh Thai basil, red and green bell pepper, and an occasional piece of hot green chile. The server will ask if you want rice. Say “yes” — rice is necessary for sopping up the curry — but be prepared, you’ll be charged extra for it. The verdict: Good, medium-hot curry, with plenty of fresh aromatic Thai basil.
BEST BET
THE PLACE: Sticky Rice
4018 N. Western Ave.
773-588-0133
THE STATS: $6.25
THE COMMENTS: What you get: A bowl of creamy curry containing chicken, Japanese eggplant, sliced bamboo shoots, red and green bell pepper, and fresh Thai basil plus rice. The verdict: Exceptional green curry balances delicate spices with sour, sweet, salty and hot ingredients for an authentic take on the traditional Thai treat. It contains enough chile heat to gently warm your mouth, the right amount of fresh basil to add an occasional burst of sweet anise flavor, and chicken that is tender and not overcooked.
THE PLACE: Ruby of Siam
9420 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie
847-675-7008
THE STATS: $10.95
THE COMMENTS: What you get: Lots of chicken, bamboo shoots, Thai and Japanese eggplant, red and green bell pepper slices, green beans, and dry basil leaves in a large bowl of green curry with rice. The verdict: Beware: Asked if we preferred mild, medium, or hot, we asked for mild, and the curry was fiery. The portion is large, the flavor is fine but not special, and the chicken is a bit overcooked.
———-
Susan Taylor, [email protected]