What a treat, nestled in the near downtown area of Redlands lies a Thai delight. Owner Daranee Muongpruan was so accommodating, she was just wonderful in giving me a once in a lifetime tour of MU’s menu. I really got to try so may special items. Her brother Andy was also spectacular, he helped me along my journey with menu choices and explanations about the cooking process and Thai food culture.
Daranee comes from a long line of restauranters, and she just loves her role in this modern fusion Thai type cuisine. Prior to MU, Daranee’s brother opened a traditional Thai restaurant, and he brought her on as a partner. She likes to have a very strong team around her, so she can leave the driving to someone else, because she claims that she is not a cook. So, she prefers to be on the outskirts while other’s take the helm. She is more of a delegator, but whatever she is, Darenee is pure genius, creating this traditional yet modern atmosphere. When you’re at MU she will come and talk to you about her love for this amazing cuisine and all of factions it takes to keep MU on top!
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktails:
They have a very long illustrious Martini menu, that is both fresh and creative. I had to try a few!!
Martini’s:
Thai Tini, it’s got lots of different ingredients including Thai tea, but what really stands out is the Frangelico Liquor, is that it’s milky and smooth, just perfect.
Watermelon Martini, it is very effervescent, but packs a punch, I just loved it.
Traditional Martini. My readers know that I just have to try a traditional martini at my tastings, it really sets the tone to see how good the bartender is, and this martini did not disappoint. Micheal is their bartender and their chef; he is the true backbone to MU!
Appetizers:
Lettuce Cups Chicken, They give you three cups filled with great chicken and vegetables. This is a big appetizer so share with your friends.
Sauteed Clams with garlic, lemon juice, chili, and Basil. The broth is other worldly, and the clams are super fresh, a great way to start my dish.
Skirt Steak, spicy tamarind sauce, and coleslaw. The steak was done on the rare side which makes for one succulent dish, a real crowd pleaser.
House Specialties:
Alaska Halibut with garlic, cilantro, and Thai chili sauce. This is a huge piece of fish, with great flavor, another must have.
Bangkok Duck with Mandarin Gastrique, and sauteed vegetables. The duck is super flavorful with it being medium rare and the crispy skin left on, another fabulous dish.
Seafood Kapow, shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, fish, chili, garlic, bell pepper, onion, and Thai basil. So many tempting seafood items, all cooked to perfection, with a wonderful, sumptuous sauce.
Scallops With Asparagus. This dish has lots of scallops that are perfectly seasoned and cooked plump and light.
Noodles and Rice:
Pineapple Fried Rice, with egg, chicken, shrimp, BBQ Pork, Chinese sausage, pineapple, onions, tomatoes, and snow peas. I am a big fan of the Chinese sweet sausage; I just cannot get enough of it. So that was enough for me to order this dish and enjoy.
Pad Thai, they do a perfect job of marrying all these exotic flavors, and the noodles are medium flat noodles, just the kind that I love.
Soup:
Tom Ka Spicy Coconut soup, baby corn, mushroom, and seafood. There are all kinds of seafood, and the broth is sweet and sour, a great rendition of this terrific Thai staple.
Wonton Soup with dumplings, Bok choy, carrots, snow peas, chicken, and BBQ pork. This is comfort food at its best, what you want to eat when you’re feeling under the weather.
Salad:
Papaya Salad, with cherry tomatoes, French green beans, shrimp, peanuts, and Esarn dressing. Such a fresh light flavorful salad, with a kick, great as a starter.
Dessert:
Malaysian Crepe with Rum, brown sugar, coconut ice cream, and berries. The presentation is just lovely with purple yam ice cream, an amazing way to end my glorious meal.
Fried Bananas, coconut ice cream. This is a showstopper, so save some room.
Daranee is such a hard worker, she only takes one day off and works 6 days straight. She really values her customers and their opinions. She can accommodate any dietary needs; you just need to ask her. She can do half portions, for any health situations, she can take care of you. She drives to Los Angeles a few times a week to go to her very special fish purveyor, sometimes she rents a car and has her friends help her unload. She is just so committed to get quality foods for her clientele.
The interior is very elegant, with a fun separate bar and a nice outdoor patio. It is very comfortable, just the perfect place for a late lunch or early dinner, what more could you want?
MU Restaurant Martini Bar and Lounge has lots of regulars, I met the lovely Wendy who was eating a nice bowl of soup with a refreshing iced tea. She had a friend come meet her, I spoke with her after her meal. She has a huge history with Redlands, having owned a business there a few years back. She just loves MU and adores owner Daranee. Their customers range from locals to hospital staff, to doctors and everyone in between. The more I get to know Redlands and this area the more I realize how important community is and how close all these restaurant owners are to each other. It’s really a blessing for me to be able to try the different foods and meet the locals and owner and hear their different stories.
Her family has given themselves short American names so to not confuse their customers, but here are their real names for my article: Waikoon Chareonraj, Daranee Muongpruan, and Anuchar Muongpruan.
MU Restaurant Martini Bar and Lounge
309 W. State Street
Redlands, CA. 92373
(909) 798-7747
Hours:
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
