Review:
Bodhi's Thai Lunch and Aquaponics Farm
We
were invited by our new friends Jan and Leanne to try an amazing Thai
lunch. We looked over the menu and emailed our choices a week prior
to having the meal.
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| Bodhi |
As
always, we were excited to try some cuisine from somewhere we had
never experienced. We printed off the directions and found a taxi.
As intimidating as the directions were, the directions were very easy
to follow and within 10 minutes we had arrived at Bodhi's. As we
exited the taxi, we were greeted by Bodhi as he gathered fresh greens
from his Aquaponics garden. We walked around and toured the
operation. Fish growing in a pond, the water filtering into gardens
where plants grew from the fishy water. Then the water is cycled back
into the fish pond as clean water. The fish grow faster and taste
better than normal pond raised fish. The veggies also grow faster with the
nutrient rich water. They use no pesticides or other forms of fertilizer (if they did/were using the fish would die.) It's a pretty cool set up
and very tasty food.
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| On the Way into Bodhi's |
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| Trout and Goldfish Farm |
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| Aquaponics Farm |
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| Aquaponics Farm |
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| Aquaponics Farm |
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| Aquaponics Farm |
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| Aquaponics Farm |
We
chatted with the other guests and took our seats as our drinks were
delivered.
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| Patio Table |
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| View From the Patio |
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| View From the Patio |
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| View From the Patio |
All three of us asked for a lemonade. Made with real LEMONS!!!
It was a light pink but very tasty. This was a nice treat as lemons
simply don’t exist here in Cuenca. I look in all markets and mercados every time I head out with no
joy. The only criticism is our desire for a larger glass of lemonade. About 6oz
of lemonade for $1.00 was a little high (plus my small glass was only 3/4 full.) However, the flavor was awesome!
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| Fresh Organic Salad From the Garden |
Our
first course came out and the salad was very tasty. The greens were
very flavorful and the dressing was so good we bought a bottle of it
later.
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| Chicken Satay with Cucumber Salad and Peanut Sauce |
Next
came Chicken Satay and it was very tasty as well. The peanut sauce
was so good and it had just a hint of Thai chili's in it. I remarked
to the ladies that it would make a great peanut butter and jelly
sandwich. Our friends are vegetarians and as we gushed over the
flavors of the dish they asked Bodhi for some of the cucumber relish/salad
and AMAZING peanut sauce. Everyone remarked at just how tasty it was. Taking a small
bite of the cucumber relish, peanut sauce, and chicken made a flavorful dance in our
mouths. This dish was so good I couldn’t help but wonder if we
could get more and have it as our main course.
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| Leanne and Jan's Spring Rolls |
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| Our Spring Roll Sample |
We
were then surprised with a small tasting of the spring rolls, they
were the other option as an appetizer. They were served with a sweet chili
sauce and they were also tasty and delightful. But we knew we made the right
choice with the Chicken Satay.
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| Pad Thai with Chicken plus Peanut Sauce |
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| Red Curry Beef *Beyond Hot :-)* with Turm. Rice |
Our
main course arrived a while later and I had the Red Curry Beef while the
ladies had Pad Thai with chicken. Both were very tasty. The ladies
asked the chef for more peanut sauce as the noodles were a bit dry.
With the addition of the sauce the dish became elevated into a
fabulous meal. The curry was good but I stayed jealous of the ladies
meal. I enjoyed a lot of hot chili sauce and even managed to get some
extra for my dish. It was pretty hot but not the hottest I have ever
had. I do enjoy a VERY hot and spicy curry. It was nice that Bodhi
provided the heat on the side so I could choose the level of heat I
could endure.
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| Homemade Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce |
Dessert
was homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce. The sauce was
homemade with dark chocolate and was bitter sweet. Very tasty when
combined with the ice cream. The ice cream was almost like an ice
milk and it was such a refreshing finale to an awesome meal.
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| Mama and Dan |
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| Chatting Up a Storm and Having Fun :-) |
We
were there for close to four hours and it seemed like 15 minutes. Our
conversation with not only the chef but the whole family and our new
friends Jan and Leanne made the time fly. It was such an enjoyable
experience that we vowed to return to try the brunch in a week or so.
I personally can't wait to try the sourdough waffles. It's going to
be so tasty!
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| The Kroll Family |
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| Bodhi Striking a Pose |
I
asked and was taken into the kitchen while the meal was being
prepared. A photo of the whole crew, Bodhi, his wife, mother, father,
and even his kids all pitched in and made the meal so enjoyable.
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| Items for Sale |
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| Kiddo's Artwork for Sale |
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| Patio |
After
the meal we each sampled and bought three bottles of Bodhi's Coconut
Cream and one bottle of Bodhi's Homemade Salad Dressing. I hope to
become a friend not just a customer. Genuine people is the only way I
can describe the whole family. All in all, this was a super
experience that we would give 5 shamrocks.
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| More Beautiful Views |
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| A View Toward Cuenca |
Be
aware, this is a place to go with good friends, relax, eat, talk, enjoy the view, and
not worry about anything. If your in a hurry go to McDonalds. This
experience is a multiple course meal that is just as much about the
people you break bread with as well as the food you consume. If you
enjoy food with some complexity...with layers of flavors...then this
is the perfect place to go.
Here
is Bodhi's Thai Food Menu:
Chicken
or vegetable Satay with peanut Sauce and Cucumber salad (4 pieces) a
starter.............$8.00
Red
Curry Beef with Vegetables
.................................................................................................$10.00
Thai
Spring Roles with Pork, Shrimp & vegetables or a vegetarian
option a starter 4 pieces......$8.00
Turmeric
Rice with Peas and
onions.............................................................................................$2.50
Fresh
Trout from our garden with Mango, green apple, cilantro, red onion
salad………..........$10.00
Pad
Thai noodles with either Chicken or Shrimp or
vegetarian………………………….....….$10.00
Fresh
Organic Salad from our Garden with our
dressing..............................................................$3.50
Homemade
Ice Cream with Homemade Chocolate
sauce.............................................................$4.00
Beer
(large
sized)...........................................................................................................................$2.50
Wine
(Red or
White)......................................................................................................................$3.50
Vodka
Lemonade………………………………………………………………………….….......$4.50
Lemonade
(Non-Alcoholic)............................................................................................................$1.00
Strawberry
Lemonade
(Non-Alcoholic).........................................................................................$1.00
Combo
Option #1: $19.00
Combo Option #2: $15.00
- Salad
with Bodhi's Homemade Dressing
- 1-piece
of Chicken Satay or 1-Spring Roll
- 1
Main Dish (either Red Curry Beef, Trout, or the Pad Thai)
- Homemade
Ice-Cream with Dark Chocolate Sauce
- Drink not included
*
Price's are subject to change. Please e-mail Bodhi to arrange for
lunch, brunch, or to check for the current menus, and prices.
