When I hear “Mai Tai,” I think of the Hawaiian tiki rum drink, not the Thai restaurant where I met friends for lunch in a strip mall in Orange, CT. The restaurant’s name made more sense when I noticed that half of their signs spelled it as “Maitai.”

We lucked out, as they were offering a lunch special that was too good to pass up. It’s available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, ranging from $16.95 to $20.95, depending on your choice of protein. The portions were generous, providing more food than any of us could finish. Protein options included chicken, tofu, pork, beef, seafood, shrimp, and squid, with vegetarian options also available.

The service was attentive, and the setting was pleasant.

The special lunch begins with a bowl of soup, followed by a Bento-like box that includes everything else. Skip the bland hot & sour soup that fails to live up to its name. Instead, get their delicious veggie-rich galangal-flavored coconut soup.

We each chose the shrimp.

One friend ordered the Imperial, a jasmine rice stir-fry with plenty of vegetables, and opted for cucumber dressing for her salad, along with mouth-watering steamed chicken gyoza.

Two of us selected their nicely spiced yellow curry, although I would have preferred it spicier. We both liked the peanut dressing for our salads, but neither of us enjoyed the spring roll.

We added a glass of their Sauvignon Blanc to complement the tasty meal.
I do recommend trying it when you’re in Orange around lunchtime.
Maitai
Orange
501 Boston Post Rd
Orange CT 06477
203-795-8088
maithaict.com/about/