Once in a while a restaurant comes along and takes a cuisine you love and exceeds your expectations of it by so much that your prior experiences with that particular cuisine are practically sullied; your memories lose that glow and all of those amazing meals you thought you had are now just mediocre.
I love Thai food but I try not to indulge too often as it can be quite rich. But the variety of flavors and the uniqueness of the dishes is hard to resist. Nevertheless, despite hearing of Lime Leaf's opening many months back, resist I did. After all, it's just another Thai restaurant, right?
Based on decor and ambiance alone, Lime Leaf is a prime location for an intimate meal that will surely impress. The minimalistic elegance perfectly suits it's location in Tapestry Park, Southside's newest little pocket of swank. But it's not the atmosphere that made our meal so wonderful, although it sure did help. What puts them ahead of the rest, in my humble opinion, is that Lime Leaf makes the most delicious Thai food I have ever tasted.
Again, I really love Thai cuisine but it can occasionally be a bit rich. A little too much oil or a sauce that's a touch too thick can exacerbate the post-meal lethargy. My dish at Lime Leaf, the Hot Peppers, was wonderfully balanced in flavor and consistency with its crisp vegetables, light sauce, and perfectly cooked chicken. I've had this very same dish elsewhere before and since, and I'm simultaneously delighted and sad to say that Lime Leaf's version is unparalleled in every way.
The fresh, veggie spring rolls were also some of the best I've ever tried. It's a bit of a shame that there are no vegetarian fried spring rolls but there are plenty of other vegetarian options on the menu; as with most Thai restaurants, the majority of dishes can be made with tofu instead of meat.
It's quite sad to consider passing up great old restaurants that have served me well in the past but with the vivid memories of that marvelous meal swirling around in my head, I know where I plan to go next time the Thai craving hits. That is, of course, unless someone introduces me to something that can top it.
Lime Leaf
9822 Tapestry Park Circle,
Jacksonville, FL
(904) 645-8568
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