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Sexy and serene, Saugus‚ Jasmine Thai Barbeque is truly a find. The hip little restaurant boasts zen-like touches, from the entryway’s flowing Buddha fountain to clusters of fresh pansies in square glass vases on each table. Dramatic touches, like the bold yellow and purple walls, are offset by the comfy, distressed leather booths and wicker chairs. Once you close the doors, screeching suburbia is quickly forgotten.
Then there’s the food. Owners Paul and Pam, siblings who hail from Thailand, brought along a cache of family recipes handed down by their father, a chef in |
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Bangkok. As befitting the name, barbecue figures heavily on the menu, with incredibly moist, flavorful satays ranging from beef to chicken to the skewered shrimp. The latter, considerately shelled and tender from a long dip in coconut milk and Thai herbs, are grilled to golden brown perfection and served with fresh peanut sauce.
Vegetarians will find a lot to love on Jasmine‚s menu, including a superb eggplant with chili and garlic or the pad kee mow. Order with tofu and you’ll get a satisfying blend of crispy fried triangles atop luscious sautéed |
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glass noodles, the faint tingle of chili and the sharp sweetness of basil lingering after each bite.
Long strips of grilled beef interlace through a colorful maze of tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro for a festive beef salad Thai style. Tossed with a piquant chili lime dressing, the flavors and textures just pop. The som tam, a heady mix of tangy papaya tossed with lime juice, carrots, peanuts, and a generous smattering of freshly grilled shrimp (instead of dried), is mounded in a pretty red cabbage shell.
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