Dining pick of the week: Stick E Rice

2544 E. Desert Inn Road at Topaz street, 696-9700

Thai food is known for its balance of the five fundamental taste senses: hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional). All are important to Thai cooking prepared with strong aromatic components. Yanika Bumroongsawad is the owner and executive chef of Stick E Rice and adheres to these harmonies of taste. Among the many entrees, which can be made with tofu, chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, shrimp, squid, duck or combination seafood, are spicy mint, spicy green beans, pad prik pao, sweet and sour, moo goo gai pan, Thai barbecue chicken, wild ginger, garlic short ribs, egg foo yong (Chinese omelet with mixed vegetables), celery catfish and Stick E duck. There are other Stick E specials, curries, noodle and rice dishes, teriyaki, salads and many popular soups, including tofu vegetable, poa tag (spicy seafood), hot and sour, and tom yum with lemongrass, lime leaves, mushrooms, tomatoes and lime juice with cilantro and green onion. Several desserts are fried banana, Stick E mango and ice cream. Featured appetizers are crab rangoon, chicken satay, beef jerky with Thai-style spicy sauce, and fried shrimp. Lunch specials are $6.95 and are served weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrees begin at $8.95. Stick E Rice is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Jack Bulavsky