A taste for Thai
Word of mouth builds a following for authentic cuisine
Ever have one of those moments when someone tells you about their favorite neighborhood restaurant and once it gets in your head, you discover that tons of people you know adore it? I’m not talking about the hip, new, well-publicized eateries that explode on the food scene week after week. I’m talking about those stalwarts that are under the radar, with a loyal following that doesn’t trend-hop.

Owner Supannee House uses mint and edible flowers to prepare Fresh Summer Rolls at the restaurant in Point Loma. — Eduardo Contreras
Supannee House of Thai was that for me. A friend who lives in Point Loma asked if I had ever been to the restaurant, which is in a strip mall on Shelter Island Drive just a block away from Rosecrans. I had never heard of it. My friend explained that its owner, Supannee House — yes, she and her restaurant share the same name — has her own gardens that grow produce for the restaurant. I couldn’t resist that, and off I went.
I fell hard for her red curry with mixed seafood — so rich and creamy and beautifully spiced that it was all I could do to keep from licking the bowl clean after demolishing the gently cooked mussels, shrimp and squid. The green papaya salad is bright and crunchy and spicy — and just the right amount of funky from the fermented shrimp, characteristic of Supannee’s northeastern Thai roots. The chicken egg rolls with marinated mixed vegetables are simply perfection in their crunch and gentle flavors.