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And now for the Daily Double question: What longest reigning living monarch also happens to be an accomplished saxophone player? Answer: King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Not only has held his title of king for almost 63 years, he is also a jazz musician who has performed with legends such as Benny Goodman and Stan Getz.

So it's not such a stretch that Dan Doby combined two of his favorite passions, Thai food and jazz, into Dan Thai Jazz Bistro (1116 Eastchester Drive, High Point; 889-3896).

The restaurant, which opened in Centerstage Shopping Center in the old Amata Thai location, offers a fusion of traditional Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and French under the guidance of Chef Jirayu "Jackie" Teatong who has been head chef at both the Landmark and Sheraton hotels in Bangkok.

"He's a great chef," says Doby, who also owns Dan Thai in Burlington. "Jackie takes Thai food and puts a new dress on it."

Items such as Grilled Lamb Chop ($21.95) with Thai Basil sauce, Grilled Rib Eye Steak ($23.95) with lemon grass pepper sauce, Grilled Prawns and Scallops ($18.95) and Baked Salmon ($18.95) in Thai Coriander cream sauce really strut their stuff.

"We try to make it affordable, but make it an event," says Doby.

The restaurant has its own greenhouse where organic vegetables are grown, Doby says. "The flavor is so much better if you do it yourself."

Most noodle and rice dishes are $12.95 and include Drunken Udon Noodles ($12.95) with a net full of seafood in a chili and basil sauce, Spicy Noodles with chicken and shrimp, Green Curry Fried Rice with chicken and five curry dishes.

Dan Thai also offers soups (Miso for $4.95), salads (traditional Larb Gai with minced chicken for $7.95) and appetizers such as dumplings and shrimp and vegetable tempura ($6.95 each).

Dan Thai's bartender, 20-year- veteran Chris Matthews, has created a global wine and beer list for pairing with most dishes. He has even created a signature drink for the restaurant, the Thai Orchid, a pale pink martini infused with vanilla, sparkling liquor and a splash of cranberry.

"A little sweetness in the wine or drink will offset the Thai spice," says Doby.

Dan Thai offers live piano nightly and live jazz starting at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Dan Thai serves lunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and dinner is 5-9:30 p.m. daily. A Sunday jazz brunch is offered from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Greek taverna opens

"It's home cooking," says Chef George Kourtsounis, executive chef of Taverna Opa! (200 S. Elm St., Greensboro; 378-9876). That is, if your home is Greece.

A taverna is typically a small Greek restaurant, often set in a courtyard, and Taverna Opa! tries to create the ambience with an interior designed to make you feel as if you're in a small village courtyard. The restaurant has opened in the spot formerly occupied by Metro Delistro. But it will be holding a grand opening June 5 and 6 with live Greek music and, maybe, traditional dancing.

Rumor is that Kourtsounis, the former owner of George K's, once danced on a table top. When he's not dancing, however, you'll find him in the kitchen preparing Greek and Mediterranean specialties such as pork, chicken and gyro Souvlaki Platters ($9.50-$10.50). Plates include roasted eggplant Moussaka ($11), Pastitsio ($10), Grilled Chicken Breast ($12), Lamb Chops ($19) and baked Fish Mediterranean ($17.50).

At $9 each, two people can travel the region via the combination platter that includes many of the aforementioned specialties.

A selection of appetizers include Greek caviar mousse ($5), stuffed grape leaves ($5) and sharp aged cheese in olive oil ($8). And soups include the traditional egg and lemon Avgolemono ($4.50) and soup du jour ($4).

Lunch prices range from $8 for a Souvlaki Platter to $9.50 for a Moussaka Platter. Pita wraps and salads also are available for lunch. Be sure to check out the daily blackboard specials.

Taverna Opa! offers wine and beer, and catering is available.

Live Greek music is planned each Friday and Saturday night.

Hours are 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for lunch Monday through Friday and 5-10 p.m. for dinner Monday through Saturday. Call 378-9876.

Mediterranean dining

Malbec Mediterranean Bistro (2207 N. Centennial Drive at Eastchester Drive, High Point; 882-1450) is serving Italian and Mediterranean specialties from locally grown organic produce.

Dinner entrees (served with house salad or soup du jour) include Filet Casa Nostra ($19.95), medallions of beef in red wine sauce; Chicken Cannelloni ($12.95) stuffed with ricotta; Dentice al la Malbec ($18.50), a Yellowtail filet served with a wine sauce and Dixie Beans; and Osso Bucco ($19.95), a beef medallion with imported Italian rice. Rotisserie chicken is available by the quarter ($8.95) or half ($9.95) served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Pasta dishes include linguini with shellfish ($18.95), spaghetti and meatballs ($13) and lobster ravioli ($16.95).

Ask about weekly seafood offerings.

Lunch items include a variety of wraps, including the Grecian ($5) and Mediterranean Hummus ($5) with grilled zucchini and yellow squash, and sandwiches such as the Milanesa ($7.50) with London broil or chicken and marinara sauce, a tomato and Muenster ($5) and Malbec Chicken Salad ($6).

Malbec offers daily specials such as Sesame Tuna and Salmon with Spinach.

An a la carte Sunday brunch (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) features omelets, Eggs Benedict and Steak and Eggs.

Nightly specials and events include a $29.99 dinner for two on Monday, half-price wine on Tuesday, Sangria pitchers and tapas on Wednesday, wine tasting on Thursday and live music on Friday.

Malbec serves lunch from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or cwilson@news-record.com