We had a lovely dinner at the new hai hai with @evilmpls and @candyhotpockets. Remembering this place as the low rent topless place it was made for an interesting discussion at dinner!
Lemongrass chopped clams - Shallots, lime, herbs, peanuts, shrimp and sesame rice crackers.
The crackers can overwhelm the subtle flavor of the clams if you’re not careful. There’s probably too much cracker to expect an even finish. It could have brought the ocean forward a little more. Good flavors, wrong proportions.
Vietnamese Crepe - Crispy turmeric and coconut milk rice flower crepe with bean sprouts, onion, served with lettuce, herbs, nuoc cham (fish sauce)
I thought it was too crispy, she thought it was “ok”. Could have used more fillings, even if it was only more bean sprouts. For me, should be softer and more fluffy. She wants it to be ”more soft crepe with crispy edges”. As with above, flavor is there, execution suffers.
Green Papaya Salad - Green bean, cherry tomato, watermelon radish, fish sauce, lime, dried shrimp, peanuts, Thai chile (spicy)
Spicy, are you from Minnesota, it’s spicy, actually spicy. Lacked a crunch though it was beautiful to look at. I bet, with a side of sticky rice this could hit the spot.
Salt and Pepper Tofu - Toasted rice powder, lime leaf tofu sauce
The tofu was delightfully crispy with a smooth sastifying center. I don’t know what lime leaf tofu sauce is but, despite the fact the it tastes like cream, it’s listed as vegan. It was subtle with hints of turmeric and a tang of kaffer lime. You should get it.
Balinese Cauliflower - Kale, bean sprouts, coconut cream, pickled cauliflower, sambal matah, lime leaf, Thai chili
The days winner. Satisfying flavor, heat, and texture. I could go back and get this over and over. @candyhotpockets said she’d be back for her own bowl.
Jellied green stuff, Jack fruit, basil seed, tricolor jelly, perfectly sweetened coconut cream, and layered with ice. Mix and enjoy. They don’t have an actual desert menu yet, but when they do, this should be on it.
