I found online a couple of reviews of a one-man restaurant in the outskirts of Chiang Mai. I had to try it. I love this kind of family-run businesses. That’s how decided to go for dinner at Food for You by Chef TuTu.
The visit
The restaurant is between Chiang Mai Old City and Mae Rim, not excessively far away, but still a 200 THB on Grab Car. I arrived after dark. The property was tucked in a small road. There were stray dogs around, do not go by motorbike.
The restaurant was a large veranda facing the fields.
I was handed a two-page menu with a number of Thai classics. The dishes listed were a bit repetitive (seabass with black pepper, and deep fried, with mushrooms, etc.). Seabass definitely dominated the menu. But that was ok, I did not expect or wished a long menu in this kind of home-run operation.
I had the stir-fried spicy crispy duck salad. It was a very good dish, even if the duck was a bit dry.
Then I had the seabass with tamarind sauce (I find seafood and tamarind a great match). It was a generous meaty portion.
The chef’s wife spoke good English and looked after me. When she took my order she mentioned that they had, off-menu, this special dish, crab meat and mangosteen. That sounded interesting and she was really keen on me trying it. I casually asked how much it was. It turned out it was 600 THB, that was not a problem, but I did not like that she tried to push a dish priced twice as much, if not more, the price of most dishes on the menu without informing it. I passed and she seemed to be disappointed. If she had told me the price upfront I would have ordered it. I am terrible like that.
The check
I spent 594 THB (around 18 USD) for two large dishes. The prices were very reasonable and the food was really good. The only downside was the extra 400 THB to get there and go back.
Honestly I think you can find comparable food closer to the Old City (Magnolia cafe? Sayut kitchen?), but overall it was a good experience and I might go back and finally try the crab and mangosteen salad.
Where in Chiang Mai:
25 Moo 3, Sun Phee Suea.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodforyoubycheftutu/ (I used it to make a booking.)