As someone who’s rarely adventurous when it comes to new food, I was pleasantly surprised during my visit to Lotus Thai Bistro.

A quaint turquoise building near the heart of Carlsbad, this little oasis sits near a library and a fire department on Carlsbad Village Drive. The Lotus Thai Bistro is a great spot for a date, takeout, or simple socialization.

With a friendly atmosphere, light music and a cozy feel (due to the family-style set up), give a familiar sense to the restaurant. Almost every seat in the house has a window view of the slow, steady pace of the city.

On Friday night, a friend and I made our way to Lotus for a quiet evening and a cure for our rumbling stomachs. We sat in the main dining room at a table for two, enjoying the view and sipping our drinks.

When it came time to order, I was a little skeptical when my friend selected the Lotus Gai Curry for the two of us to share. I not being a Thai food regular, and though I enjoy an array of foods, I have never tasted curry.

The entree came out steaming hot on a large dish, with an aroma heavily ladened with spices. The curry consisted of two chicken breasts, potatoes, carrots and onions cooked in a beautiful spicy yellow curry. It tasted like a different take on an old comfort food, such as stew or mom’s baked chicken.

To top off the evening, we decided on the coconut ice cream. To our delight, the ice cream held chunks of fresh coconut that gave it a rich flavor. The best part about this food adventure that was it fed the both of us for under twenty dollars!

And don’t worry if curry frightens you; they offer everything from acai bowls to papaya salad and coconut soup. They even have sushi!

All the food is freshly made with natural ingredients and spices. Vegetable oil is used to compensate for peanut allergies. There’s no MSG, and vegetarian options are available.

With an inviting atmosphere, delicious healthy food, and reasonable prices, the Lotus Thai Bistro is a must try!