For almost two decades, my working life revolved exclusively around exploring the tantalizing flavors of Thai cuisine. For a while, I believed joining Zenseact would mean the end of this cherished routine. Fortunately, fate had other plans. After seven months of scouring the territory between Vågmästareplatsen and Port Arthur – a thin slice of land spanning roughly 2.5 kilometers – me and my lunch buddy stumbled upon Thai Dee.

The humble little bistro immediately caught our attention with its tidiness; the sriracha, soy sauce, and sambal were artfully arranged on a modest tray. Plates, glasses, and silverware were readily available. Spotless tables paired with cozy chairs welcomed us. Seated, we ordered from a menu, and the staff’s kindness radiated throughout.

Today, Off the Eaten Track had a distinguished guest joining us – our manager. We had eagerly shared tales of our Lindholmen excursions, our delightful discoveries of splendid eateries, and the triumphant conquests we had made. While Thai Dee might not exactly qualify as exploratory eating, it did offer a delicious Massaman (which, incidentally, was ranked as the world’s tastiest food by CNN, in 2011). The dish was a harmony of sweet and savory, with a crunch from the peanuts. Impeccably cooked potatoes and carrots without being overpoweringly oniony. Served at the ideal temperature, the portion was just the right size and accompanied by flawlessly prepared rice.

Nonetheless, those who have experienced over-sweetened coconut milk understand that the fine balance of sweet and savory can give way to a syrupy, granular texture. An impeccable Massaman should flow like unicorn milk. This one was perhaps a little grainy. But that minor critique aside, my colleague was thoroughly satisfied with his Lab Kai, another dish typically suited for benchmarking (much like kebab pizza).

As for our boss, they’re quite a cool customer. After nodding ever so subtly to confirm that the dish met their expectations, we decided we needed to up our game next time, opting for a more captivating culinary experience. We have a place in mind, but it’s seldom open, and when it is, no one’s there. We’ve never actually seen anyone have lunch. Or any food whatsoever. It also seems to lack furniture. I’m not even sure it has a kitchen. Ordering in advance is deeply complicated. But it has a promising menu nailed to the door. We’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, we give Thai Dee a high rating. Not the full five stars, but the overall impression is that the place is full of promise, and we are sure to return.

• Name and address: Thai Dee, Brämaregatan 1AB
• Cuisine: Thai
• Distance from Zenseact: a 15-minute walk
• Price: 90–110 sek, depending on your choice of protein (drink included)
• Rating: 4/5 NCAP stars (Norra Älvstranden Culinary Assessment Program)

We’ll return shortly with another review. In the meantime, heed the great Robert Frost’s advice and choose the road less traveled – a wise gastronomic approach and an outstanding professional mantra for every Zenseactian.