A plane ticket to Thailand would set you back a few thousand dollars, but if the food is what you're craving, step into Thai Pastry & Restaurant for a meal that will barely put a dent in your wallet.

Owner Aumphai Kusub describes her restaurant as being exactly what you'd find in Thailand. And while most of us have no idea what that exactly is, it becomes easy to imagine once you're surrounded by Thai paintings and figurines and a carpet that makes you feel like you're in a jungle. As the menu's nearly 100 options begin to rattle your brain, keep in mind good bets like the tom yom koong soup, red snapper with hot pepper or the seafood combination special, should you be in the mood to try something other than that age-old noodle dish.

Like many Asian restaurants, Thai Pastry offers a too-good-to-be-true weekday lunch special between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.: For $5.25 (add $1.50 for shrimp), you get your pick of 12 noodle or rice dishes plus the appetizer and soup of the day.

As the name suggests, Thai Pastry has first-rate desserts. It's hard not to be tempted by the prominent pastry case, and the dainty collection of fruit-shaped marzipan and a sampling of Thai custard are worth grabbing as you're going out the door.

Centerstage Reviewer: Laura Brown