International eating isn't a dangerous adventure through customs, where the customs officer asks you to open your bag, and you refuse, which prompts him to teach you about manners by reading select Goofus and Gallant comic strips. Grasp global greatness with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of gourmet Thai dinner and drinks at Celadon Restaurant.

Celadon Restaurant offers a menu ripe with traditional and modern Thai dishes, crafted through the time-honored Thai principles and French culinary techniques. Diners can begin their piquant pilgrimage with heaven rolls—bundles of translucent rice paper filled with tofu, glass noodles, julienned carrots, basil and alfalfa ($8)—or crispy noodle-wrapped golden shrimp ($9.50). Celadon's untouched take on Pad Thai ($16) appeals to both Thai food trainees and traditionalists, while the Larb Pla ($22) tickles tongues with deep-fried, striped bass draped in green mangos, red onions, scallions, ground rice, mint and chili lime sauce. Many entrees can be customized for dietary needs, including vegetarian choices such as mock duck, mock chicken, and non-mock tofu.

In Celadon's ultra-modern dining room, orchids sit atop each starched white tablecloth, illuminated by the glow of sleek silver and black chandeliers hanging from chartreuse-accented ceilings. A gleaming white baby grand piano admires itself in the mirrored wall of the adjoining bar lounge, which is stocked with premium liquor, fresh fruit, juices, and a wide selection of wines.

Reviews

TripAdvisors give Celadon Restaurant an average of four stars and more than 170 Yelpers give a 3.5-star average:

• … when I want to go somewhere where I know that the food, service and atmosphere are good, I go to Celadon. – Mr858, TripAdvisor
• I consider it the best Thai restaurant in San Diego. Not only for the food and drinks, or the amazing decor, but the service and attentiveness as well. – Rob M., Yelp