Tecopa and ChatThai

Before I get to this evening's dinner meal...

Let me tell you about our day...

We had a slow start today, no surprise there. We like to have a coffee and do our online routines in the morning without rushing ourselves. After that it's time to beautify (takes him much longer, naturally), then we're out the door.

Today our plan was to go to Tecopa Hot Springs hoping it would provide a little more relief for Brad. After driving through the hills behind Pahrump, NV we entered into California.

When we reached Tecopa I must say I was surprised. I guess living in Banff gave me a completely different image of what this place would be, I don't know why... but I was expecting it to be more developed. Instead it is pretty typical of what we've seen in the U.S. thus far, not much but dirt. Perhaps this sounds snooty or ignorant, I don't mean it that way it's just that I always had an image of the U.S (TV influence I suppose) and so far we haven't seen anything like that. Because of the Hot Springs being such a well known place, I guess I assumed. We all know how that goes...

The people of Tecopa obviously have a sense of humour

When we arrived, I realized that one of us would have to wait outside with Robbie. Obviously Brad went in and I waiting in the car with the dog.

Apparently you are not allowed to wear clothes in this Hot Springs. I saw no information about this online, so I'm glad I didn't get to go in. There were also a lot of foreign tourists there and while Brad doesn't give a damn, I would not have been comfortable. The Men go into one area and the Women another at least.

They advise no more than 10 min, which he found very relaxing. So that made the whole day worth it. $8 per person per day admission to the springs.

We then decided to head towards Furnace Creek but I didn't bring any information with me - or a map for that matter -  and we lost cell coverage. No service. No Google. No Map. Fortunately, I had not 'closed' Google Maps on my phone and so was able to still follow our route and see where the roads were. Not that it was complicated and I think we certainly could have found our way back to Pahrump, it gave me some peace knowing that the map was still there.

We didn't make it to Furnace Creek but got as far as Death Valley Junction. Again, nothing there really, just some old run down buildings some of which may/may not still be in operation... but I'd be inclined to think they may not. The Opera House had a padlock on the door, and there was a guy there taking what I think was Time-lapse photos of the shadows creeping across the outside wall of the building. That was cool, he seemed pretty intense in what he was doing so I didn't approach him to inquire, just made sure to stay out of the light.

We took a little off-road road that lead off the highway on our way home, only about a mile or so and stayed within sight of the highway just in case. We are accumulating some 'emergency' essentials but we are not there yet, and as we were out there by ourselves we didn't go too Rogue.

Once we got home we stopped at the Park office to see if our package had arrived with the Jeep mesh cover, it had. Makes the Jeep look pretty 'tough' which Brad likes, and I guess I do too. It does look good I think. We had some trouble getting it on because we had to put it overtop of the existing 'enclosure' as we have nowhere to store it otherwise. We did manage to get it on eventually, not that difficult just required some exertion.

My girlfriend Vicky (I'm mentioned her before) had suggested a Thai restaurant when she heard we were heading to Pahrump, NV. This morning I looked it up. ChatThai. The website is clearly professionally done, and looks pretty swanky honestly. The website gave me the impression that you had to make a reservation to get in. Not particularly our style but Brad has had the sniffles the last day or two and with everything else he's been dealing with, I figured a good spicy meal would help. I called and Jen said you didn't need to make a reservation but you could (I guess for large groups). I made a reservation for 5:30pm. 

Then remembered our toilet (Thetford) is not holding water and I had meant to call the local RV Superstore. I dropped everything and called to see if they had the required gaskets so I can fix it. They did, so at 4:30pm I flew over there to grab it ($20). Making it back just in time to head over for our dinner reservation.

Gordon Ramsay, Who?...

The ChatThai is a quiet, comfortable little hideaway located in a strip mall along the main road in Pahrump, NV.  When we arrived, we didn't think to mention we had a reservation since we almost never make reservations. During the meal the owner asked the waitress about the reservation and they decided to take the table 'down'... I didn't realize at first, but after a few seconds realized that WE were that reservation. I let her know that we were the reservation and apologized for creating extra work for her.

We ordered fresh Spring Rolls, Yom Tom soup, Drunk Pan Fried Noodles with Beef and Green Curry with Jasmine Rice. Other menu items may be found here.

How this guy is still operating in a little tucked away bistro is beyond me. His food is phenomenal, the best meal I have ever had. Bar None. Literally. He would give Gordon Ramsay a run for his money.

We watch a lot of Gordon Ramsay and he always talks about the flavours and that you can taste all the different flavour and they all blend together so well. I never understood what the hell he was talking about. Honestly, I'm not a foodie. We just like to eat out a lot.

Now I know what Gordon is talking about. The food at ChatThai is an experience that I highly recommend. I don't know the Owner/Chef  (who's name is Chat I learned while writing this) and in fact, did not even speak to him today, though I should have and regret not having done so now. As always, we have received nothing for this review.

I can't express to you the quality of his flavours, it is simply Elegant. That is the only way I can explain it and I know it doesn't explain anything but that is literally the word I felt on my tongue as I ate. Elegant. The environment is very warm and welcoming, there was quiet oriental music playing in the background that really added to the ambiance beautifully. The Waitress this evening was Jen and she was fantastic, very professional and thorough. I have dietary requirements and she was very helpful with how our order would fit my personal needs.

This will be our only stop in any future Pahrump visits. I think I somehow turned a corner today after experiencing this food and I am grateful for it.