Foodie Secrets of Verona's Thai Elephant

As a foodie always on the hunt for the next big thing, I was intrigued when I heard about a secret menu item at Aroy-D The Thai Elephant in Verona, New Jersey. The dish in question was the khao soi, a Northern Thai specialty that wasn't listed on the restaurant's regular menu, but occasionally appeared beneath the specials. Naturally, I had to investigate.

I had frequented The Thai Elephant before and enjoyed a hearty meal of drunken noodles as well as a delicious curry. The noodles were perfectly cooked and had just the right amount of spice. The tofu was well-seasoned and added a nice texture to the dish. It was definitely one of the best noodle dishes I've had in a long time.

The veggie curry, which was a delicious blend of vegetables and spices. The curry sauce was rich and creamy, and the vegetables were perfectly cooked. It was a great complement to the noodles, and I was pleasantly surprised by how filling the meal was.

As I recounted the meal on the tennis court later that week, my tennis partner nodded sagely and uttered that most infamous of phrases, "Oh, so you didn't try the khao soi?" Talk about letting the air out of my tires. Well no, I didn't try the khao soi. Was there khao soi? I hadn't seen it on the menu. Of course now, I had to go back.

I called the restaurant in advance on a weekday morning, as I had been instructed. Did they have khao soi? I was in luck, they had just enough left for me and my editor.

When it arrived, I was immediately struck by the beautiful presentation. The khao soi was a fragrant coconut curry soup filled with tender noodles and chicken, garnished with crunchy noodles and fresh herbs. The aromas wafting from the bowl were simply intoxicating.

But the taste was even better. The rich, creamy broth had a depth of flavor that I had never tasted before. It was spicy without being overpowering, with hints of lemongrass, ginger, and lime that balanced out the sweetness of the coconut milk. The tender chicken added a satisfying meatiness, while the noodles provided a comforting chewiness. If hearty soups are comfort food, then khao soi is that therapy where you get to play with a bunch of puppies; it's on its own level.

The khao soi was delicious and I savored every bite until the bowl was empty. As I paid my bill, I asked the waitress why the dish wasn't on the regular menu. We have to make it ahead of time and we can only keep it for so long. Ah, like a fine wine, got it. I left feeling like I had just uncovered a hidden treasure, and I knew that I would be back for more.