Knoxville, a small southern town full of chain restaurants, boasts quite a few noteworthy Thai restaurants.

My love of Thai food stemmed from my adventures in the South Pacific, and I highly doubted that I would be able to satisfy my craving for the exotic anywhere in the state, much less right here in Knoxville.

Whether you are a Thai food veteran or a novice, give one of Knoxville's restaurants a try.

Taste of Thai

The most authentic Thai restaurant in Knoxville satisfies the stomach and the heart.

The dishes served here are spicy and exotic. They follow the Thai canons of flavor: spicy, sweet and sour and salty.

I highly recommend the Massaman Curry, a dish from central Thailand, that's served with rice, a meat of your choice and is accented with avocado, roasted cashew nuts, broccoli, onion and a delicious creamy sauce.

The menu satisfies those with palettes less accustomed to spicy food with dishes such as Pad Thai or the Thai spring rolls.

The atmosphere reminds you of any cheap Asian restaurant that is filled with the laughter of diners and bubbly servers that speak minimal English.

For the most authentic food and service, eat here.

Koi

If you're looking to dine at a posh restaurant without emptying your wallet, I recommend trying this Asian-French fusion eatery located in the heart of Market Square.

What Koi lacks in exquisite food, it makes up for in ambiance. The restaurant has a modern feel and is elegantly decorated in clean warm colors.

I was first introduced to Tom Yum soup at Koi, and I have added the hot and sour soup to my top 10 favorite foods list.

The flavors of the soup stem from lemon grass, mushroom, lime juice, hot chili and cilantro. It is fresh, satisfying and perfect for the cold weather that has settled over Knoxville.

The mussels are another great choice, and they have a similar lemon grass flavor.

Koi is a great date spot, especially during lunch where the restaurant offers popular items at a discounted price.

Stir-Fry Cafe

I will label this Thai restaurant as the biggest disappointment in my tastings.

I ordered a traditional red curry made with basil, lemon grass, green beans, onions and coconut milk, thinking surely this was a guaranteed winner. Unfortunately, I left disappointed.

It lacked everything that I love about Thai food: spice, flavor and pizzazz.

My companion, a Stir Fry Café lover, pitied me and let me try his green curry, which was much better than my selection.

I'm hoping my trip was a rarity, but there are two points I'd like to make about the restaurant.

One, drink the Thai iced tea. The orange-colored black tea is sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, and it is nothing short of heaven.

Secondly, the restaurant's servers are laid-back, attentive and the best I received during my adventures.