Columbia Citizens

We lived in Bangkok for two years, so I like to think I know good Thai. Luckily for us, one of the best Thai/Lao restaurants in Seattle is a little "hole in the wall" called Viengthong Restaurant in Mt. Baker, on MLK between McClellan and Rainier. If you are coming from C.C., heading N. on Rainier take a right on MLK — it's in that little plaza on the right (just opposite of where the KFC used to be). It's next to a Vietnamese restaurant called Jasmine. You may be put off by the bars on the windows, and the Lao concert posters, but inside it's a charming little space. The owners, I believe, are Laotian so you will find some of your Thai favorites are called different things or served in a slightly diff. version. Try the Phad Lao instead of Phad Thai (even though they do have Phad Thai), and if you like Phad See Ew (the Thai wide noodles in gravy) try their Lard Nar. Viengthong Restaurant 2820 MLK Jr. Way. 725-3884 (I happen to have their takeout menu sitting right here!) They are closed on Mondays .but otherwise 11am -8 pm. The hostess/waitress will give you good guidance on dishes, you can't miss her because she's a tiny little thing with hair to the floor. Word of warning: their "star" system only goes up to 3 stars. We like our Thai spicy, but we only went 2 stars and that was plenty. If you don't like spicy, I would say go somewhere else, because without the garlic chili sauce, the dishes are flavorless. Their Tom Yung Goong is great and so is their Larb.