Out to eat: Thai Pepper

Shrimp Pad Thai, Mango Chicken and Thai Pepper Roll at Thai Pepper. (Credit: Michael E. Keating | Metromix)

Quick look: Thai Pepper Restaurant

Florence spot gives a taste of sweet, spicy Thailand

Thai Pepper has been around for a few months now, planted in a boxy frame connected to a strip of unrelated businesses. Look for their large green and white sign to lead the way. Luckily, it's hard to miss.

I came prepared: "You know, I've actually been to Thailand," my co-diner had told me once.

The mood: It was the beginning of the lunch hour, and two or three tables were occupied by chatting pros on their break when we got there. The restaurant doesn't skimp on authenticity - pillowed floor seating is available. Perhaps forgetting our audaciousness in the car, we opted for the tables with the rest of the pack. Chopsticks were used, though, I promise.

Thai Pepper's look matches its cuisine, but it doesn't go to excessive lengths. Segmented images of Thailand's cabs, boats and people hang on the walls, and a sushi bar rests at the back. Black tables and chairs click with the restaurant's wooden fittings. I caught "Danger Zone" from the Top Gun soundtrack playing when we walked in.

Our server had an infectious smile and attitude that stuck around even after we asked for more time to graze the menu.

The food: Our orders came with a small serving of light vegetable soup - with peas, broccoli and carrots - a refreshing warm-up to the appetizer: three narrow-but-filling mixed vegetable spring rolls, served with some memorable plum sauce ($3.50).

After relearning to work the 'sticks, I dug into my sushi combo ($7.95). The rolls themselves (California and spicy tuna, there were four of each) were tightly packed and fresh, a pleasant experience overall when blended with our table's condiments; the spice was present in the tuna, probably enough to be a slight shock for the timid.

I would have liked to have gotten further on the accompanying individual pieces of shrimp, salmon, yellow tail, and snapper, but my stomach hit a wall.

Leland's vegetarian yellow curry ($6.95) served with white rice suited him, and he had a decent amount of it to take home. Barring extreme hunger, splitting an appetizer is probably fine if you're visiting as half of a pair.

The drinks: Some seriously sweet (and tasty) Thai iced tea. ($2.95.)

The damage: $32.59, with an extra tea. A $25 lunch for two people with tip is very possible.

The verdict: We both came away happy with the experience. My well-traveled friend volunteered that he'd be back. Give it a shot.