Chow Thai Pacific Rim By Jim White Restaurants keep popping up on the North Texas prairie, but here’s one that really stands out: Chow Thai Pacific Rim. The newest concept from Vinnie Virasin literally blows me away. We’d settle for less, but we’re lucky she strives for such high achievement in design and food with this and her other restaurants Chow Thai and Mango’s. Pacific Rim combines Western style with Asian flavors, as executed by Chef Kenny Mills and two Thai chefs. Bring an appetite, because portions are quite large (there’s that Western style). For starters sample the exceptional chicken satays with a spicy peanut sauce for dipping ($8) or a crunchy Moon Leaf with plum sauce, featuring pork and shrimp in a crispy wonton wrapper ($8). Create your own noodle bowl. You pick the meat and the noodles and they put it together for you. These range from $7 to $9 depending on the meat. One of the most interesting design features is the noodle bar that might make you feel like you’re in Bangkok instead of Plano. Other noodle dishes include a yummy Prawn Pad Thai ($9) and Soho Noodles ($8)—slightly browned wide rice noodles in a soy-oyster sauce, wok fried with flank steak and vegetables. If you like curries, be sure to try the Panang grilled chicken ($9). The whole breast is served in a red curry with rice and wonderfully crispy green beans. I must have seen half a dozen orders of the smoked pork chops ($9) pass our table during our recent lunch. This is just one of a number of tantalizing main course items that’ll make you second guess your choice each time a server passes your table with one of them. Others include, a delightful orange ginger salmon ($12) with baby bok choy, and beef with chilies and basil ($9). Daily lunch specials—served 11 till 4—give you the chance to try the intoxicating lemongrass soup or one of the light spring rolls. Order anything featuring the rice with coconut milk. Chow Thai Pacific Rim 3309 Dallas Parkway (at Parker) (972) 608-1883 Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com