Lemongrass
Maryville Tennessee


















(The lunch special with cashew chicken, soup, salad, and sushi)



Lemongrass is basically the only Thai restaurant in Maryville Tennessee, and with only about three or four in nearby Knoxville, you start to get the picture that this is pretty much a Thai deprived area. So, any Thai restaurant is a welcome sight. The curries and the noodle dishes are good, but I thought the sushi was especially good. The soup flavor was gingery with a very light fish sauce flavor that did not overpower the soup as can be the case at some Asian restaurants. I thought the chicken was a bit overcooked. I read a scathing review on another site giving this restaurant one star for serving raw chicken. Perhaps they are overcompensating. I also thought the ginger salad dressing was a little watery. The cashew chicken could have more flavor, although I wonder if they might have reduced the heat level and spice level on many of their dishes in order to appeal to a broader audience. Still, I would recommend Lemongrass for those that happen to be visiting Maryville.










(A covert photo of the sushi chef in action; and a photo of his finished product)

Fried Tofu

Even if you are not into exotic foods, you may want to give the fried tofu appetizer available at many Thai restaurants, a try. The consistency is similar to French toast, and it is usually served with a sweet and sour sauce containing crushed peanuts. Tofu in general does not have much of it's own flavor and usually takes on the flavor any sauces that accompany it. I am not a big fan of the regular, non-fried, soft tofu but when cooked in Thai dishes, fried tofu adds a whole new dimension.