Thai me up

Have you gotten stuck in a rut when it comes to your Thai palate? Still ordering the same pad thai and spring rolls every time you head out to the unexciting but familiar Thai restaurant down the street? Here's your chance to branch out and taste how other places do their basil chicken and pad soo wen. Try one — or many — of the bountiful Thai harvest Sara-Mana has to offer.

BANGKOK 4791 Swift Road, Sarasota, 922-0703 or bangkoksarasota.com

This perpetual winner of all the local popularity contests serves up simple, standard Thai fare that has people packing the entry way many nights of the week.

DARA THAI 1965 Tamiami Trail S., Venice, 493-8499 or darathairestaurant.com

If you're in Venice, you're in luck thanks to this little spot with surprisingly authentic Thai cuisine. Make sure to tell them that you want all the flavor so they don't dumb your dishes down to the lowest common denominator. After all, you are in Venice.

DRUNKEN POET 1572 Main St., Sarasota, 955-8404 or drunkenpoetsarasota.com

Downtown Sarasota's own proponent of the sexy man and sexy woman rolls serves a small menu of popular Thai dishes along with the sushi.

PADTHAI 501 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, 365-7799

This strip-mall spot serves a good version of their eponymous dish, along with other classic choices.

SIAM ORCHID 4141 S. Tamiami Trail, 923-7447 or siamorchidrestaurant.com

Tucked into the Chili's plaza on Tamiami Trail, Siam Orchid has been dishing out lunch and dinner to devotees for years.

THAI BISTRO 537 E. Venice Ave., Venice, 484-0056

This Venice restaurant serves the usual array of popular dishes, along with a few authentic specialties that up their Thai cred.

THAI CAFÉ 5763 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, 798-3114

Standard Thai cuisine with a local following.

THAI KITCHEN 7604 Cortez Road, Bradenton, 794-5470

This pleasant northwest Bradenton spot has separate menus for vegetarian and tofu dishes that take advantage of profound Thai seasonings.

THAI LOTUS 3633 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 756-5559 or thailotusfl.com

Thai Lotus' extensive menu covers all the bases for this ethnic cuisine.

THAI O-CHA 711 47th St E., Bradenton, 794-5470

Another of the string of family-owned Bradenton Thai joints, O-Cha has a friendly feel thanks to the staff.

THAI PALACE 4756 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, 761-9100 or thaipalacebradenton.com

Luxe décor marks this Bradenton Thai restaurant, along with a giant menu and tasty duck strips.

THAI SPICE 6233 14th St. W., Bradenton, 739-2217

Many call this the best Thai place in Bradenton, which is saying something considering the slew of similar family-owned joints that populate Manatee County.

THAI WASABI 5250 E. State Road 64, Bradenton, 896-7803

There's been good buzz for this Thai and sushi spot on the outskirts of Lakewood Ranch's north side.

THAILAND SUSHI & STEAKHOUSE 2238 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, 927-8424

This standard Thai restaurant expanded a few years ago, building out a sushi bar and teppanyaki steak area to add a little showmanship to their pad thai.

TROPICAL THAI 1420 Main St., Sarasota, 364-5775 or tropicalthaiofsarasota.com

Largely neutered Thai dishes, along with a relatively new sushi bar in the back.