Beautiful drive up to Natchez. At one point, looking out on the horizon from atop one of the highest hills, it felt like I was seeing the land before DeSoto showed up with all his syphilis and small pox. There’s a lot of undeveloped land on the Vidalia side as well as the Natchez side of the river. That sense of timelessness is very liberating. Downtown historic Natchez is a bit like a movie set. Lots of empty storefronts. Signs saying businesses have moved or closed. Got a haircut and my barber said they were trying to revitalize, but that there were still over five hundred homes for sale in the area.
I was thrilled to discover Planet Thailand. Of course you can find all sorts of places on your phone nowadays, but when you walk up to a place like this, you do still get that feeling of finding something intensely unique. From the sidewalk plants, to the offering plinth and stone garden, the water feature inside the restaurant, the traditional family portraits, and the super nice teapot and excellent garni (my personal plural for garnish), Planet Thailand makes it more than a transaction, something all too few restaurants still care enough to attempt. When you put in that kind of effort, you raise the stakes. It’s about more than money. It’s about the total experience. It’s about the owner’s reputation and standing. And it’s about you, the guest, not you, the customer. A subtle but real distinction.
I am a tremendous fan of pan-Asian restaurants. The ability to combine elements from different cultures is very alluring. I ended up going with spring rolls and shrimp pad thai, but after a visit to Huntsville and the Space Center Saturday I will be coming back through Natchez and I’m tempted to return and try the sushi since this meal was so fresh and well executed. (Unfortunately, they were closed Sunday when I came back through, not permanently, just on Sundays, thank goodness, because this will be the first place I head when I come to Natchez next time).
