Palm trees provide a cool oasis for taste buds that catch fire from spice.

The Scene
Despite some confusion over the name (depending on what sign you read, it's spelled either Dtang's or Tong's), Tong's Thai is perfectly clear on what makes good Thai food: liberal spices, fresh ingredients and an atmosphere straight out of ''The Jungle Book.''

The Food
The shrimp Thai basil is available in varying degrees of spicy and goes perfectly with Thai iced tea. Potato soup's thick, rich texture makes up for its less-than-authentic Thai identity. The seafood plate is enticing and exotic, with both plump shrimp and baby octopus. All lunch entrees include a soup, rice and a spring roll. Dinner dishes are more elaborate and worth the taste.