Two decades ago, Deirdre Pain knew nothing of the restaurant business or Thai food. But one experience with the exotic, flavorful cuisine had her giving both a try. Frustrated with the lack of upscale options in the area, Pain joined forces with the owner of a smaller Thai eatery in Tempe in 1987. She chose a building on Old Town Scottsdale's gallery row that dated from the 1920s and previously housed a string of unique ethnic restaurants. Thus began long-time Valley favorite Malee's Thai on Main. Now with a second location in the Desert Ridge Marketplace, Pain lives out her dream of serving her favorite cuisine to the Phoenix community in a sophisticated atmosphere. Malee's forgoes the fusion of other Asian fare for the expressive curries, stir fries, and meat and vegetable dishes of Thailand. Separate lists of appetizers, soups and salads, and lettuce wraps hint that starters are not to be missed: soft-shell crab, Thai Fai Fire Wraps (hot chicken lettuce wraps) and tom ka gai soup (hot and sour coconut milk broth featuring chicken, mushrooms and cilantro) in particular. Although standard entrées prove top-notch, spring for Malee's more unique dishes such as the Evil Jungle Princess, which is minty chicken and mushrooms in a coconut cream sauce. Then again, you can't argue with roasted duck curry or classic jalapeño fried rice. Each dish is individually prepared according to the diner's preferences and dietary needs. The Desert Ridge Marketplace location also serves sushi. Voted Best Thai Restaurant in the 2007 Phoenix New Times and Phoenix magazine readers polls. Full bar. Kids menu. Scottsdale location serving lunch Sat–Wed, dinner nightly. Desert Ridge location serving lunch and dinner daily. Both locations closed between meals, except on weekends.