A good friend of mine was celebrating a milestone birthday yesterday and chose ATK in Lakeview for a quiet celebration with just a couple of friends. I didn't get much of a say in ordering but managed to get a couple of my favorite items, naem khao tod and Isaan sausage. The naem khao tod was a little lighter on rice than usual, but particularly herby, fiery with hot peppers and delicious despite too light a ratio of rice to other ingredients. The sausage was delicious too, with a great sour flavor, though I prefer the sausages at Rainbow and Paula's which both have some nice snap. Moo ping is one of the better versions around.
Interestingly, I also had the Penang curry, and this is something I would rarely order myself because too many restaurants make it too sweet. Not the case at ATK - one of the best versions I've had.
I find the pastrami to be the most sensual of all the salted, cured meats. (Seinfeld)
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