A Little Slice of Thai Heaven in Mineola

Overview:  at 197 Mineola Boulevard is its second location on Long Island. The restaurant replaces Downtown 'D,' a continental bistro, which in turn replaced the old Trotters pub that existed for decades at the location.

Decor: The previous owners at 197 were in the contracting business and they beautifully refurbished the inside with new furnishings and hard wood floors. The pressed tin-ceiling and Asian culture art adds a touch of class. Restrooms are wheelchair-accessible.

Drinks: You come here for the food, not so much the drinks. That said, you can get any number of wines and beers, both domestic and import. There is a Thai beer as well.

Appetizers: So many to choose from, including Po Pia (spring rolls), $4.50 for two; Chicken with Sticky Rice ($6.75), Curry Samosa ($6.50), Pia Muok Tod (fried calamari), $7.75;  and dumplings (vegetable or shrimp). If you want an appetizer, go for the Shrimp Satay, which is shrimp grilled on skewers with peanut sauce. This $7 entree can be shared and is highly recommended.

Entrees: There are no wrong choices here, and almost all are under $20. The most expensive dish is the Pla Lard Prik (snapper) for $22. That entree, which is fried crispy, comes with chili, garlic and tamarind. Our table had chicken dishes, one with asparagus and the other with string beans, and your choice of rice. If you like curry, there are six curry entrees, including Gaeng Goong Sappard (Pineapple Curry Shrimp) with string beans, bamboo shoots, basil and pineapple for $14.75.

Sides: Rice, rice and more rice. You can have it your way: Jasmine,  coconut, brown, Thai sticky or with peanut sauce.

Desserts: Fried banana tops off the list for $3.75. The banana is topped with honey and mustard seeds. You can also opt for Kao Niew Ma-Muang, which is a fresh mango with sweet sticky rice topped with coconut milk. A third choice is Thai coconut cake, for $3.75. 

Service: We came on a Saturday night and there were only two servers, both of whom worked extremly hard. If you are in a hurry, this may not be the place to come. But if you are not in a rush and enjoy delicious, authentic Thai food, Lemon Leaf Thai Restaurant is definitely worth a visit; it is definitely worth the wait.