My Beloved Athen

Shortly after I arrived in Bangkok, I was introduced to the Athen (pronounced "A-Ten") restaurant, a little mom and pop place located on the ground floor of the Athen Apartment building just one street over from my church.  It wasn't much to look at, but the food was incredibly good and the owners were so nice.  When the Young Leaders Group got going, it became a sort of home away from home for us and the site of many great meals together.

A year or so ago, the building they were in underwent renovations and they were evicted.  I was crushed, thinking I would never again have a great Athen meal, but they found a new location about the same distance from the church, so my love affair with Athen continues.  Every time I return to Bangkok and walk back in, the owners break into huge smiles.  It's really my place for "home cooking!"

Not much to look at from the outside.

Pretty small on the inside.  

(That's the owner and his daughter.  The wife was away this afternoon.)

Ah, but here is where Athen shines!  Tremendous, tremendous basic Thai food.  My lunch today, Minced pork and Thai basil with a fried egg (one of the most popular dishes in Thailand) and sauteed morning glory with chili's and garlic. No better eating anywhere!