I was asked to photograph the owner and chef of Lang Baan for TastingTable.com.  Laang Baan was considered a “secret” restaurant at one time.  This little gem is tucked away behind a covert bookshelf door within the restaurant PaaDee.  The secret is out now.  Portland Monthly granted the prestigious “Restaurant of the Year” award to Lang Baan and Eater PDX has it in the running (among four other restaurants) for the same title.  You can vote for Lang Baan here.  Owner Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom and chef Rassamee Ruaysuntia create mouthwatering Thai dishes using traditions and nuances of regional Thai cuisine and Pacific Northwest ingredients.  From the TastingTable article Ninsom says “People aren’t as familiar with Southern Thai food, so we have to be careful. We try to choose dishes that are interesting but still appealing.” Appealing is an understatement.  I was lucky enough to try the Thai Fried Chicken and that was all I needed to convince me that I need to go back and relish in the $65 fixed menu.  Who wants to join me for dinner?