Roy’s Restaurant: The Eat Creative Thailand Prix Fixe

An inspiring taste of Thai is now available for a limited time at Roy’s Restaurant in La Jolla. The new "Eat Creative Thailand Prix Fixe Menu" is filled with delicious options for a full three-course meal that doesn’t skimp out on the classic Thai culture and flavors. Mixed together with the pristine service, gentle atmosphere and beautiful plating, this new addition to the Roy’s Restaurant menu is a must-try for any foodie.

Roy's Restaurant Chef Monica Olaes

Before I sank my teeth into my own customized Thai meal, I sat down with Chef Monica Olaes, who runs the kitchen at the Roy’s Restaurant’s La Jolla location. A former nursing school student, she changed paths when her passion for cooking broke the surface. "It just hit me. I thought, let me try a culinary program," she said. "I went to Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, and I’ve been cooking since then." Chef Olaes has now been cooking for Roy’s Restaurant for six years.

By utilizing ingredients found naturally in the Thailand region, Chef Monica Olaes takes her guests on a journey through Thai Cuisine. "The main goal is the freshness of the quality," she said. "We focus on the ingredients that are in season and we source most of our produce locally." And while these ingredients may not originally come from California, they go through a specialty foods procurer for the freshest authentic ingredients. "What we’re focusing on is the taste and flavor profile of what Pacific Rim Cuisine is about," Chef Olaes adds. "You have your sweet, sour, salty, and all those nice flavor profiles."

The Roy's Restaurant Appetizer: Shrimp Pad Thai

After the interview, I took a seat at my table, where I was tasked with choosing an appetizer. My choices were between a Shrimp Pad Thai (complete with snap peas, mung bean, peppers, cilantro and cabbage), or the Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls (which included a peanut dipping sauce and Namm Pla Chile sauce). The server suggested the Shrimp Pad Thai, and so I went with that.

The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and its fatty juices burst into my mouth with each bite. It was more reminiscent of a bacon-like flavor with a hint of classic shrimp fishiness, and it mixed well with the sweet red peppers that were speckled throughout the noodles. Bits of egg and snap peas complimented the salty twang of the shrimp and balanced the dish.

The Roy's Restaurant Main Course: Grilled Beef Sirloin

At the waiter’s suggestion, I chose the Grilled Beef Sirloin for my main course. It included a chili and tamarind sauce with jasmine rice and fried shallots. The other option was a Lemongrass Chicken served with creamy jasmine rice and a red curry sauce.

The sirloin came out cooked to medium-rare, as specified. The outside was seared with precision while the inside was plump and tender. One bite and I had delicious, smoky flavors bursting over my tongue. The ginger carrot cilantro salad that adorned the steak provided an airy and light acidity cleanses the palate between bites. The tangy chili and tamarind sauce brought that Thailand twist, and hints of ginger throughout the rice kept the meal in constant balance.

Dessert: Roy’s Signature Chocolate Soufflé

There was no question that I was going to get the soufflé. Once I pierced the soft, springy soufflé body, a small river of chocolate came out. Served with an ice-cold scoop of vanilla ice cream and a raspberry drizzle that circled the plate, the hot soufflé was perfect bite after bite. I was so full from the meal that I thought there was no way I could eat the entire dessert, but every time I would put down the spoon, something carnal inside of my insisted that I finish the dessert. It was too good to stop.

I didn’t know what to expect when I first walked into Roy’s, but by the time I left, I had a satisfied smile and a full stomach. After effectively transporting my tastebuds to Thailand, I was about ready to take a nap right there in the comfy booth seat. The server was an excellent guide, and Chef Olaes made sure that each stop throughout Thailand had its own surprises.

If you ever find yourself with a craving for Thai food, I suggest you try Roy’s Restaurant’s "Eat Creative Thailand Prix Fixe" menu in La Jolla. It is only going to be available until January 6th, so make sure you don’t miss it before it is gone.