If there was ever a place to try Thai food for the first time, Sawasdee on West 86th Street is it. My friend Jen and I -- the veteran and the virgin to Thai cuisine, respectively -- joined a packed house last week at yet another hidden strip-mall gem.

The mood

A tiny entryway leads into a small dining room filled with pink-topped tables, Asian artwork and lots of people. I couldn't believe so many knew about Sawasdee, or had even noticed its unsuspecting storefront.

We were greeted and seated immediately, despite the crowd.

The food

Sawasdee's lunch menu is short, but the servings are hearty. Lunch entrees are on one page, desserts and drinks on the other. What else do you need?

The service was unbelievably fast. Perhaps they wanted us in and out to make room for new diners, or perhaps that's just the way it should be everywhere.

All the lunch items are $6.55. So, judging from the list of "padd" this and "gai" that, the prices didn't make it any easier to decide. Jen settled on Kao Padd and I chose, get ready, Kao Padd Bai Kra. A No. 2 and a No. 3, please. You have the freedom of choice on the spicy hot front. I wanted mine mild, but it didn't end up that way.

No sooner had we finished a delicious, sweet and spicy (but not too spicy) soup and a spring roll for me, Thai salad for Jen, then our meals arrived.

Both had a base of fried rice. Jen's was mixed with pork, carrots, peas and onions and combined with a peanut sauce. Chicken was my protein of choice -- onions, banana and bell peppers, and a large portion of Thai basil completed my feast. Jen agreed that mine was a little tongue-tingling, and let me eat off her plate. But I did enjoy it otherwise -- very flavorful and very filling.

The drinks

Jen had an ice water, and I decided to try a Thai iced tea with lime juice that boasted a smoky flavor ($2.50). Refills came often, not just by our server, but also by any worker who happened past our table.

The damage: $16.84

My first Thai experience went well. I found out just how interesting trying something completely new can be. Sawasdee is a great place to experiment if you already enjoy Asian cooking, or if you're looking to go out on a little limb.