In recent years, there has been a...

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of Thai restaurants in the South Bay--so many that it can be difficult to choose. One is Thai Tiffany in Lomita, a popular establishment opened seven years ago by Tanya Kungvanwong.

The simple but attractive restaurant is decorated in gray and pink. Near the back is a buffet counter featuring an all-you-can-eat lunch for $4.75, but for greater variety, look to the menu.

Among the appetizers are Angel Wings ($5.25), boneless chicken wings stuffed with healthy portions of pork, chicken, glass noodles and spices. Gold Cups ($4.25) are 10 small pastry shells filled with minced shrimp and chicken and served with a cucumber sauce.

A stalwart of Thai cuisine is tom ka kai ($2.50). This flavorful soup is a mixture of chicken broth and coconut milk loaded with chunks of chicken and straw mushrooms and seasoned with lemon grass, chili and galanga root, a relative of ginger.

The big favorite in the noodle department is pad Thai ($4.95), fried noodles with fresh shrimp, chicken, green onions, bean sprouts and peanuts. Another good noodle dish is the Noodles Supreme ($4.95), which adds fresh mint leaves and spicy minced beef to pan-fried flat noodles.

There are six entrees featuring shrimp including Garlic Shrimp ($6.95) and Dynasty Shrimp ($6.95), in which the crustaceans are mixed with pea pods, cashews and baby corn.

Thai Tiffany is at 2211 Pacific Coast Highway in Lomita. Phone (310) 539-8878. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday 4 to 10 p.m.