Thai 99, Chesapeake

Thai cuisine is all about warmth—in terms of both its spices and its traditional hospitality. Thai 99 operates in this spirit, serving spring rolls based on an old family recipe and fine-tuning curries on a customer-controlled spice scale of one (as mild as a library's accountant) to five ("native Thai hot"). That said, the chefs aren't afraid to put a modern spin on traditional dishes. For instance, they transform the classic Thai appetizer of fish cakes into a kid-friendlier snack by using chicken instead of fish. And some entrees are downright dramatic, such as whole honey duck or fish supporting a cornucopia of veggies.

Thai 99's ambiance is as fun and welcoming as the menu. Karaoke occasionally takes over the soundtrack, and the dining room blossoms with bright paper umbrellas and Thai architectural elements. The chefs even occasionally share the secrets of Thai soups during cooking classes.