What: The massaman curry with chicken
Where: Desert Thai Authentic Thai Cuisine, 68718 E. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 103, Cathedral City
How much: $16
Contact: 760-832-8561
Why: It’s delicious and hearty.
Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines, so anytime a new Thai joint opens, I’m eager to try it out.
This brings us to Desert Thai Authentic Thai Cuisine, which opened a few doors down from Trilussa in late October. I normally wait a few months to try out a place after it opens, but I decided to break my rule in this case, because … well, Thai food!
The Cathedral City joint was busy when we arrived on a recent Saturday night. Desert Thai’s inside space is pretty small, but a nice patio area expands the seating options. We sat inside and began to peruse the no-frills menu, which takes up numerous pages of paper, some of which could be a bit cleaner. (The hubby had problems reading one page because it was stuck to the back of the page before it.)
We ordered all sorts of food; none of it was bad. Some of it, in fact, was quite good. The cook adds more sweetness than I’d prefer to many of the dishes—but when it comes to the curries, Desert Thai finds its figurative groove.
We got both the panang and massaman curries, and both were fantastic. We ordered the panang with pork, which was tender and delicious; to my palate, however, the massaman with chicken was just a touch above, thanks to the rich, peanuty sauce—and the addition of actual peanuts. Thanks to the carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and onions, not only was the dish delicious; it was warm and hearty, perfect for a chilly December night in the desert.
Desert Thai is doing quite well after being open for just six weeks; I can’t wait to try the restaurant after a few more months of settling in.
