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| - Tremendous dinner early Friday evening - great service, and delicious (and very authentic) Laotian food.
I had Khao Tod Nam Som (combination of ground pork, eggs, chiles, and fresh grated coconut, served with lettuce leaves and cilantro, for wrapping), and Moak Pa (steamed catfish mixed with ground pork and chiles, wrapped in banana leaves), served with an incendiary chile condiment and steamed sticky rice. Both were spiced appropriately as requested, meaning very hot. The flavors were perfectly balanced in both dishes; the Moak Pa was savory and complex, the Khao Tod Nam Som both hot and cool, crunch and refreshing. While beer is an appropriate beverage for Laotian food, and they have a very nice selection, I had a couple of glasses of a Wisconsin wine (!), a Wollersheim fume blanc, a slightly sweet and crisp white that is a perfect foil for the hot and assertive fare.
As always, the service at Lao Laan-Xang was perfect. The staff is always hugely friendly, and you will never be ignored or talked down to. I've been coming here for over a decade, and have NEVER had a bad meal. Heck, I've never even had a mediocre one. (Also highly recommended: the mango curry with squash and potatoes. I've stolen the recipe, I confess, and make it at home.)
You should go. Now! (but never on Sundays - they are closed, unfortunately.)
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