Thailand is often called “The Land of Smiles,” thanks to the warmth and friendliness of its people, and a visit to Thai Pot Restaurant in Forest Hills will bear this out. You will be very warmly greeted by the staff of Thai Pot and if you’re lucky, you’ll even meet Mel, the gracious, petite woman who created Thai Pot, her second opus, opened just two weeks ago on Queens Boulevard. Her first, Gray Point in Sunnyside, has already established itself as a premiere dining spot for fresh, exotic, inexpensive Thai cuisine. At Thai Pot in Forest Hills a clientele is already growing and clamoring for the fabulous food at impossibly low prices.

Mel designed the restaurant, using a deep persimmon color for the walls, sleek track lighting and clean wood floors. Banquette tables are graced with fresh flowers and candles that create a very soothing atmosphere. Diners can focus on the multi-layered flavors, which make the food fully worthy of their undivided attention. While all Thai food is intensely flavored, it is not all spicy. In addition, the chef will prepare dishes as mild or hot as you wish, as each dish is prepared to order.

Relax with a cool Thai beer or glass of wine and choose some of their tempting appetizers to begin your meal. I highly recommend the duck spring rolls, beautifully wrapped, fried golden and served piping hot with a delicate plum sauce for dipping (4 rolls for $5.95). Thai Pot shrimp rolls are another gastronomic treat, served with the chef’s special sweet chili sauce (4 rolls for $4.95). Another special appetizer incorporates ground crabmeat in a tofu wrapper, served with plum sauce. I could eat dozens of Thai Pot’s steamed dumplings, delectable morsels filled with either vegetables or ground pork and savory spices ($4.95). Curry puffs, tender pastries filled with ground chicken, sweet potato and mild curry, are an addictive pre-dinner treat. Soup is also an integral part of Thai cuisine and a steaming bowl of seafood noodle soup is welcome, especially on these unusually cold spring nights. Traditional Tom Ka coconut based soup, with roasted chilies, lime, straw mushrooms and green onion is $3.95. Cool off with papaya salad flavored with lime juice, sliced garlic, green beans and ground peanuts. The combination of flavors will invigorate your taste buds and prepare you for the next course.

Thai Pot serves chicken, duck, fish and noodle dishes that are out of this world and easy on your wallet. We devoured crispy duck in a sweet tamarind sauce served on a bed of thin, crispy noodles. Besides being absolutely delicious, this dish was beautifully presented with a sunburst of fresh broccoli, cauliflower and carrots surrounding the duck. Spicy duck can be prepared with red curry or Panang style with pineapple and Panang curry sauce ($12.95).

We also sampled a whole fried red snapper topped with a lime, ginger and chili sauce, which we requested as spicy. Several tissues later, we soaked up the last of the delicious sauce with a side order of jasmine rice, loving every last drop. Whole fresh fish of the day can also be prepared with mango, lemon, ginger or tamarind sauce. A “must try” is the Sizzling Thai Pot Special, fresh and juicy shrimp, scallops, mussels and salmon sautéed with authentic Thai spices that are mild and flavorful. The mussels out of their shells were huge and very fresh and the shrimp and scallops were tender and plump. ($14.95).

Thai Pot has incredible lunch specials for just $7.95 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Choose among chicken, beef, pork or vegetables prepared a number of ways. All lunch specials come with salad and Thai ginger dressing. Pad Thai tossed with bean sprouts, egg, scallion, ground peanuts and mild spices is the most popular noodle dish.

For dessert, cool off with a helping of fried ice cream or cool, creamy Thai custard. A cup of green tea will soothe your spirit as you think about your next visit to Thai Pot.

For peaceful atmosphere, exotic food and very affordable prices, you cannot beat Thai Pot. Commuters will find Thai Pot located near the 67th Ave subway station. The staff will deliver to your home or office for your convenience.

Good luck, Thai Pot, and sa-wa-dee (welcome to the neighborhood).

…a clientele is already

growing and clamoring for

the fabulous food at impossibly low prices.