Montien Thai Cuisine
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I consider myself lucky to live in a city in which my local Thai eatery is one of many Thai venues; if I care to venture across town for a change of scenery or a new take on tom yum soup, my dining options are more than doubled.
Then again, breaking away from one’s favorite place — even for a single meal — takes some will power and an open mind. How could someone else’s drunken noodles combine just the right amount of sweet Thai basil with amply bracing chili heat? I admit, most digressions from my regular haunts leave me cursing curiosity, but stumbling upon a new favorite keeps me wandering every now and then.
Over a tall glass of fragrant and creamy Thai iced tea ($2.50), I noted that venturing out to Cambridge’s Montien (the sister to Montien on Stuart Street in Boston) was a roaring success. Not only does the place get serious atmosphere points for its colorfully chic interior, but it gets kudos for its signature Bang Bang appetizer ($6.95), which combines ground chicken, shrimp, and herbs into curiously spongy, remarkably tasty wedges that are further improved in the sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. Had I not inhaled all of them single-handedly, I would have undoubtedly polished off both my aromatic Panang curry ($10.95) and any chili-bathed drunken noodles ($8.95) left by my companion. In fact, if it weren’t for Inman Square’s parking challenges, I might consider making the commute to Montien on a regular basis.
Montien Thai Cuisine, 1287 Cambridge Street, Cambridge | Mon. – Thur., 11:30 am - 10 pm; Fri., 11:30 am - 11 pm; Sat., noon - 11 pm; Sun., noon - 10 pm | 617.868.1240.
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