Two for the price of one
No, this has nothing to do with a special dining offer. 
Just a biased opinion of two new eateries just opened in CityPlace. Well, actually one new restaurant and one that has expanded and re-invented itself.
THAI JO
On the second level, next to Taverna Opa, a new Thai restaurant has opened its doors. With a very orange sign hanging outside, next to the very blue sign of the Greek restaurant next door, and some very red booths inside, this is becoming a very colorful corner. Thai Jo is a small establishment with comfortable seating. The decor is very basic with several identical images of a golden female buddah adorning the walls. A typical Thai menu offered no surprises as we are familiar with most of the dishes.
My other half started with the Tom Kah soup, and we then shared some pork/shrimp dumplings and spring rolls. The most eye-catching feature were the serving plates. The appetizers came on two little glass trays, a smaller version of a breakfast or dinner tray when served your meal in bed, but more attractive. Our entrees consisted of the Black Noodle dish and Pad Thai (which is my barometer for determining the authenticity of Thai cooking). Another eye-opener when our meals arrived in huge white bowls – they certainly don’t skimp on unique and lovely dinnerware. Our one disappointment came when they were out of the coconut ice cream for dessert (a favorite of ours at another favorite Thai restaurant). Service was friendly and accommodating.
Personally, I still give Wattana Thai on Dixie a slightly higher rating (see my review), but it’s nice to be able to walk instead of drive, and I certainly recommend Thai Jo, and will definitely return.
WET WILLIES/CAPT BRIEN’S
Aahhh…back in the day, maybe a year ago, we sat outside Wet Willies until the wee hours, ordering a few of their frozen concoctions, listening to the band playing at Blue Martini, and picking out the folks on line (at Blue Martini) who would be turned away from entering the inner sanctum (anyone wearing sneakers was dead in the water). But I digress from my reporting duties….
With the expansion of the Improv, Wet Willies also has undergone some major renovations and partnered with Capt Brien’s, a seafood establishment (with some pasta and “land lubber” options). Outside seating has diminished to a few tables, already filled the night we were there, but with the hot weather, we were content to sit in the cooler indoors which is much enlarged. The same Wet Willie frozen concoctions were tumbling around in their clear containers on the back wall, but Capt Brien’s has added its own specialty drinks to the menu from which my *retired* half chose “Laughing Pains” a mixture of rum, rum, rum, pineapple juice and Pina Colada. This gives you an idea of what to expect from the bar.
Since it was a “school night” for me (translation: had to be up real early), I opted for the Weak Willie, a frozen pink lemonade.
We both requested the Stuffed Avocado appetizer which gets a very high rating. YUM – very different! We also both ordered a combo platter, he the Seafood Broiler, myself the Gulf Mixed Grill. He really enjoyed his, while I was a tad disappointed with some of my dry fish. Once again, the dessert we chose had gone missing (maybe Weight Watchers is trying to tell us something). There are a lot of good choices on the menu and we certainly will return to give some a try. One not-so-great dish does not deter another attempt because it was overall a good experience.
Next time, however, no Weak Willie ….it’s the REAL stuff for me (no, I’m not a lush…).
