By Colin S. Sargent<\/p>\n
Equator glows from its trendy South End digs at 1721 Washington Street in Boston, a beacon to Mainers. On this spot, restaurateur Sarah Sriweawnetr (daughter to Rangeley chef Sam Sriweawnetr, the real-life hero behind Ben Affleck\u2019s Oscar-winner Argo <\/em>[see our story, WinterGuide 2013]) has launched her dream with investment from her dad.<\/p>\n Dreaming of summer on a recent evening, we did our very best to order just what Sam might have cooked the nights he helped hide six American diplomats in Tehran 34 years ago after their escape from the besieged embassy. (These days, Sam owns and operates Thai Blossom restaurant in Rangeley.)<\/p>\n Ice-cold bottled Singha beer from Thailand provides the perfect way for our party of three to cool down a basil kick. Fusion reigns as we jump into the Equator Combo ($15.95), chicken satay, golden bags, spring rolls, crab shumai, winter shrimp, and vegetable tempura. We add a second order of\u00a0 spring rolls ($6.95) to prevent any unfair division. All of the appetizers are perfectly cooked, crispy without being crunchy. The spring rolls in particular burst with the original flavors of the vegetables, just spicy enough on the inside to taste.<\/p>\n When Sarah tells us the sauce on the pad thai ($10.95) is made with her father\u2019s special recipe, developed while working culinary assignments for diplomats around the world (which was how he was in a position to be our man in Tehran in 1979 in the first place), how can we prevent ourselves from taking part? For a second entree, we enjoy the Spicy Combo ($12.95), a stir fry with vegetables, beef, chicken, and pork, and for something cooler, the Yum Nua ($13.95)\u2013beef salad with a delicious hint of lime.<\/p>\n \u201cMy father had a hand in designing Equator\u2019s entire menu,\u201d says Sarah. \u201cThere\u2019s a deep sense of his talent in the Avocado Shrimp, that\u2019s made with red curry sauce on jumbo shrimp and grilled avocado. I can\u2019t look at it without thinking of him.\u201d Though Sarah\u2019s eclectic pan-Asian theme is the secret to her success, reaching all the way to Korean cuisine and original specialties such as\u00a0 Sam\u2019s Avocado Shrimp and Tamarind Duck, \u201cthe Thai cuisine and the prime South End location\u201d are at the heart of this family business.<\/p>\n
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