Boda

Boda on Congress Street in Portland, Maine, has built a devoted following as the city's most respected Thai restaurant, serving authentic street-food preparations and small plates in a setting that balances relaxed neighborhood warmth with a commitment to traditional flavors. The menu draws on culinary traditions from across Thailand's regional spectrum — the smoky, herb-driven dishes of the north sit alongside the coconut-milk curries of the south and the bright, lime-forward salads associated with Isaan. The pad see ew, made with wide rice noodles and a dark soy caramelization achieved only at high wok temperatures, is a consistently praised standard. The panang curry — rich, slightly sweet, built on a housemade paste — is the most popular main course, and the som tam papaya salad, dressed with fish sauce and lime, provides the textbook contrast of salt, acid, and chili heat. The menu extends to several dozen dishes at dinner, with a brunch service on weekends that includes Thai-inflected preparations. The dining room on Congress Street has an easy neighborhood quality, with warm lighting and enough table spacing to allow for conversation. Reservations are accepted and recommended for weekend evenings; the restaurant also welcomes walk-ins during quieter periods throughout the week.