Thanksgiving som tom

Last year I went to the American-owned Bourbon Street Restaurant for Thanksgiving, which has a big buffet, complete with turkey and bread pudding. But since I don’t actually like turkey, and I was by myself, I went to the World Trade Center Beer garden this year, and ordered up a traditional Thanksgiving feast of som tom and sausages.

That som tom was the single spiciest thing I have ever eaten. And be warned: never mix beer and spicy food. I was slowly slogging through it, until I accidentally ate a chili, a near fatal mistake. My mouth and lips burned, my nose watered, I felt sick to my stomach, and I became lightheaded. The waitress kept apologizing for not asking me if I wanted phet (spicy) or mai phet (not spicy).

I actually enjoy the challenge of spicy som tom. Just avoid the chilies.