Corpus Christi Part I, Thai Spice and the beach

         Photo by nicole moore

From the petroleum-twinkling lights of the oil refineries off I-37, with Tom Waits' gravely voice accompanying a drive into the city, to the morning light reflecting off the water surrounding the U.S.S Lexington as seen from the Omni Bayfront hotel window, to the phenomenally spicy Massaman prepared at Thai Spice that comes within the endocarp of a coconut, to the burlesque The After Dark Revue, Corpus Christi has some phenomenal entertainment and activities for its guests. And with the coast a mere two hours from San Antonio, Corpus Christi is a great place to spend a weekend, or just an evening.

Beach life is simple. You play in the water, you stick your feet under the sand, you pick up a shell or two, you make sure to have a variety of beverage refreshments within arm's reach (and you might, perchance, even catch a beachside wedding between napping breaks), then you eat, you sleep (often under the stars with the ocean waves crashing near you), and you get up and do it all again the next day.

So after a full day of sun and surf and intermittent reprieve under large-canopy rental umbrellas, a great way to re-energize for the night is to take dinner at Thai Spice.

The dining room is small and intimate. The aromatic smell of Thai spices are a subtle reprieve from the often overwhelming smell of uncooked fish in most beachside establishments, and the husband and wife proprietors greet patrons warmly and graciously. 

The food is prepared with the utmost culinary respect, the presentation is elegant and personal, and the ingredients are fresh. Patrons, though, have an absolute responsibility to express their desired spice-level beforehand (and not be afraid to emphasize their preference), or they may get one of the spiciest dishes of their lives!

The heat intensity is something to be reckoned with at Thai Spice, as feign of heart will surely break into a glistening sweat that requires frequent facial patting with a cloth napkin. And while patrons might wish to take large gulps of water, the husband will explain that the best response is not to consume cold water in mass amounts, but to instead dab sea salt on your lips and the tip of your tongue to counteract the capsaicin that is wreaking havoc on the nerves.

Another remedy for the spice is to nibble on the specialty bread that is flaky with a subtle sweetness to it, something like a very flattened and very fresh croissant. And it is possible that the wife will come up to you, place a finger to your cheek, assess your ability to continue eating the spicy dish, comment that your choice might have been too spicy for you, take it away, and bring you a small portion of one of her less spicy creations

Either way, eating at this coastal gem will be one of the most unique experiences of your trip. 

And afterward, you might choose to sing a little karaoke at one the many dive bars in the city, or you may even be lucky enough to catch a burlesque show by the The After Dark Revue (next issue to be posted, Corpus Christi Part II, burlesque revue).

For more information about great culinary establishments: Willard's Jamaican Jerk