City: Albuquerque, NM

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (505) 244-3344

Address: 109 Gold Avenue SW

Description: Thai Crystal’s floor-to-ceiling windows along Gold Street make this a great spot for people watching as you tuck into classic Thai curries, Pad Thai, Tom Kah Gai chicken coconut soup, and Tom Yum hot-and-sour soup. The dining room setup is fairly no-frills, but seating is spacious enough that you aren’t an unwilling witness to the conversation at the next table, and the waitstaff is efficient and helpful. Colorful Thoong flags hang from the high ceiling, turquoise and gold mythical art sprinkles the walls, and there’s a raised Sala Thai seating section, based on an old-fashioned Thai living room and looking much like an indoor gazebo to Western eyes. Thai Crystal is a popular lunch choice for downtown workers, but it’s also handy for Rail Runner Express travelers, as it’s just steps from the Alvarado Transportation Center. In the evening it’s busy pre- and postscreenings at the movie theater around the corner. Thai Crystal specialties include scallops with basil leaf and Drunken Noodles with pork, beef, chicken or shrimp. Spicy dishes are clearly labeled, although they’ll hold back on the heat if requested, but if you prefer a milder yellow coconut curry, opt for the Kang-Ka-Ree-Chicken. Beverages include beers, a short wine list, and wine-based cocktails, plus a good range of sake, served hot, cold, or at room temperature. There’s free parking with validation if you park in the multilevel parking structure just around the corner, south on 2nd Street. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday; Sunday is dinner only.