Fit to be Thai-ed

I had the best Thai meal at Garlic Bistro in Chelmsford Thursday night. Location: Drum Hill Rotary. Now don' t be turned off by the hectic spot (im finding some of the best meals come in pedestrian packages). This place is clean, fast, equipped w/ friendly & attentive staff, but most importantly serves up some of the best ginger, lemongrass, garlic infusions around. I loved the tropical chicken, flecked with roasted cashews, pineapple and mushrooms served in a split open-faced pineapple — how festive! Beef w/ macadamia nuts in a robust, dark ginger sauce was extremely satisfying. But the real test was the pad Thai (the shinning star of Thai cuisine). They passed w/ a limey zing and multiple plump shrimps. Only neg. note was the scarce chopped nuts that gives this noodle dish its crunch. Our pork dumplings also rocked. Like Peking ravioli w/o the oil. Great little pockets. This meal was not cheap, but not prohibitive either. Wines are an ample pour.