Thai foodie paradise in Uptown Dallas

Malai Kitchen brings a Thai foodie paradise to Uptown Dallas with cocktails that will have you dreaming of the beach and food that will make you want to eat so much, you'll never want to put that bikini on again. 

A Thai haven in the middle of West Village, Malai Kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants in the Uptown area.

It's been hot out. Heat leads to drinking. But this is what you should be drinking:

Insider tip: The Cha-Yen, (this is the happy hour menu, it's actually $10. I think it's just rude for restaurants to charge that much for a drink... unless it's this drink. Two of these will give you the most delicious buzz you could pay for. #WorthIt.) This cocktail has been taken off the menu - it's basically a crime, but they'll still make it for you when you ask for it (and I wasn't the only one in horrified shock special ordering it on my last visit). It tastes like an alcoholic, creamy, sweet but herby version of chai tea. And it's amazing.

Whew, okay I haven't even gotten to the food yet. They start everyone off with a quaint little plate of sticky rice with a spicy eggplant dipping sauce. It's a nice touch, plus it gives me a little practice with the chopsticks before my trip to Japan in a few months.

I can't seem to get away from the Chicken and Broccoli Noodle entree. Sounds pretty boring, I know. It's not. I don't even like broccoli. The flat noodles are what really makes this dish so amazing. It's sweet with a hint of spicy. Any entree with flat noodles is a winner.

The Chicken and Broccoli Noodles are pretty similar to the drunken noodles, but without the eye-watering spicy Thai addition. If you get the drunken noodles, don't be too bold (you get to choose your spicy level) or you will have to send it back. When they say spicy, they mean it. But if you order spicy, the Cha-Yen cocktail is the perfect creaminess to counteract that kick.

Malai Kitchen is worth a trip to Uptown. Shop around all the stores in West Village after eating. After a few Cha-Yens, you'll be looking so good in those pants, you'll just have to get them.