Kingston, I am bursting with excitement to tell you that we are currently in the middle of a Thai food renaissance in our very own (small, Ontario) city. I feel fairly confident that I know good Thai food when I taste it. My parents birthed me in Thailand, but also made sure I was very familiar with Thai culture and food (it was our “meat and potatoes” growing up). I have Thai family, and one of my life’s biggest gifts has been the many opportunities I’ve had to go back. While I haven’t been back there in nearly two decades, I have had the opportunity lately to be transported right back there through outstanding food. Two Thai women are changing the face of the food game in Kingston. First, we have my sweet pal Imy serving up elevated “Thai Street Food” at the Memorial Center Farmer’s markets, and at various pop up market locations around town. She puts so much thought in to making beautiful food, with her mango sticky rice and papaya salad being truly must tries. You can find her most Sundays at the Memorial Center Farmer’s Market (now inside the warm barn for the colder season). Get there early, as it’s always a sell out. (At this exact moment I am unsure if she continues over winter, so stay tuned).

The next one, is Cat House Chiang Mai, which I hardly even know where to start except to say I just had one of the most warm, connected, and freakin tasty dining experiences of my life-which just doesn’t happen for these vegans in Kingston. You’ll find Cat House Chiang Mai in an unassuming strip mall (locally known as fish n’ chip plaza to West Enders) on Gardiner’s Road.

Yes, there was Thai food here before, but it was rarely veganized with consideration and an enthusiasm to try new things. And a lot of it is very similar. And we’ve been eating that same thing for almost two decades. So we’re pretty excited for something different to try. We’ve even ate Thai food at a Michelin recognized restaurant in one of Canada’s biggest cities, and while they were so very delicious-we’ve got our own Thai food wizards in town that are in my humble opinion even more outstanding. And the owner, Jacky, is a one person Thai tourism commercial.

Her welcoming spirit perfectly embodies the warmth, and genuineness that Thais are known for the world over. And you can get it without the 24 hour flight, though honestly she has you wanting to book a ticket there by the time you walk out the door if it’s all going to feel and taste like this. Jacky is so happy to veganize her dishes, and for the first time in my whole damn life I got to try Thai tea, Thai coffee, and (my surprise favourite) Thai green tea in a non dairy form. And they were GLORIOUS.

Her face embodies how I felt about it too!

I will be dreaming about a redo of this drink forever more. And the food has not even arrived yet.

Rad and I usually share meals when we go out, each getting a different entre so we can try everything. Not this time. We had both tasted their Khoa Soi this summer at the Skeleton Park Arts fest. And while we make it pretty well, hers is absolutely next level. And perhaps you think you have tried a spring roll in your day. Well, let me tell you that you have not had ones this tasty. YUM BUD! While we left positively stuffed, we lamented that we could not try everything on our wishlist in one go. Next time, we will be back for the Pad See Yew and Bermese fermented tea leaf salad (what on earth will this taste like! I cannot wait to find out!) Literally everything looked (and I am sure is) exceptional.

This picture was taken just after we got back from an extended trip to Spain ( with a fridge full of expired food and a lot of cleaning to do before we could make another meal at home). While it is such a gift to get to travel and experience a new culture, it is sometimes even nicer to come home to the people who love you. To the community who loves you. And to have world class food this close to home feels exceptionally lucky. *chefs kiss*