It’s me again, Hive friends. Since it was the weekend, my hubby decided to take me out. We’re not that young anymore—just a couple in our sixties who enjoy simple bonding, 😅. But even now, we still love going out together, just like in the old days. At this stage in life, one of the things we really enjoy is exploring food and trying different tastes.
This time, hubby brought me to Thailand without even booking a flight. He led me straight to Chawasdee Restaurant, a little spot that promised the flavors of Thailand right here at home.
The place was warm and homey feel. Wooden counters, vintage furniture, and little personal touches everywhere—it didn’t feel like a commercial restaurant, more like stepping into someone’s house. Each corner had its own charm: an old piano, chandeliers, framed family photos, flowers, and small details that made the place welcoming.
I also noticed the cute framed displays showing recipes of Thai favorites—Som Tum (green papaya salad), Tom Yum Kung, and Sticky Rice with Mango. They weren’t just decorations; they were like little guides to Thai cooking, and they added to the warm, personal feel of the restaurant.
Out of curiosity, I asked the service crew if they serve inflight meals—just like the ones on a flight. She said yes, they actually do. That made me excited, so we placed our orders right away: I chose the inflight-style set with chicken in green curry, shrimp Pad Thai, and mango sticky rice for dessert. We also added an à la carte Tom Yum Kung, medium spicy, and a full plate of Shrimp Pad Thai.
While waiting for our food, something interesting happened. The owner of Chawasdee was seated at the table next to us, having his meal. We had a short chat, and he shared how he wanted his guests to feel at home when dining—comfortable and relaxed, like eating with family. He said even the food was prepared with that thought in mind, keeping the flavors simple and authentic. I liked what he said, and it made me look forward to our food even more.
Soon, our orders started arriving.
My inflight meal order, chicken in green curry sauce with just the right spice, the shrimp Pad Thai had the balance of sweet and savory, and the mango sticky rice not so sweet, with coconut cream, - was also a nice ending to the set.
The Tom Yum Kung came steaming hot, filled with prawns, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and coriander. I asked for medium spicy, and it was just right—spicy enough to wake up the taste buds but still refreshing with its citrusy herbs. Tom Yum is like the Thai version of our sinigang. It has that same sour and goodness taste we Filipinos love, but with a twist—spices like lemongrass and galangal give it a fragrant kick, while the prawns soak up all the flavors. Just like sinigang, it’s the kind of soup that warms the stomach and makes you feel great .
And because my Pad Thai was already included in my inflight-style set, we got a separate plate for hubby. His serving came with flat noodles, prawns, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, and chili flakes on the side. Pad Thai is like the Thai version of our pancit bihon—stir-fried noodles with veggies and meat. But what makes it special are the flavors of tamarind, fish sauce, and peanuts, giving it that sweet, tangy, and nutty taste that’s truly Thai.
When I think about it, it’s nice how Asian meals often feel related to each other—like different cousins in one big family. We share rice, noodles, and soups, but each country adds its own little twist that makes the dish unique. Those small tweaks in flavor, spices, or style of cooking are what make every experience familiar yet exciting.
Our food was almost finished when I realized we hadn’t taken any photos of us yet. So of course, we didn’t let the meal end without capturing a few shots together.
I loved the concept of Chawasdee. It wasn’t just a restaurant but felt cozy and welcoming. From the small details to the owner’s idea of keeping things authentic, it gave us more than just food—it gave us a nice experience to remember.
By the time we were done eating, I thought, this is all we really need—good food, a relaxing place, and time for us.
Thank you, Hive friends, for taking the time to read about our weekend. I enjoy sharing these little slices of life with you, and I’m grateful for your company here.
Happy weekend, everyone.