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| - I get it, I really do. A lot of people really like Thai food that isn't very spicy, or isn't overly herbed, or, well, isn't Thai food. If that describes your Western palate, then this new Thai restaurant is definitely worth a visit. The inside decor is beautiful and makes you feel like you're eating at a fine dining restaurant (and indeed you are), with light jazz music and fancy seating. It's small, intimate, the wait staff is professional, and a great place for a date night.
I should have known where this restaurant's style was going to go when I noticed the lack of Thai spice racks throughout the small space, and the overly simplified, one-page menu. Ah yes, it's one of "those" Thai restaurants!
I ordered the Tom Kha Kai, small bowl at $6, and the beef short rib yellow curry at $15. The beef short rib curry was a cheaper item on the menu, and seemed like a safe and popular dish to try. As per heat warnings in at least one review, I ordered everything at a "medium". Ha!
The Tom Kha was fairly well done, but in the end rather bland. Very light coconut and lime, with little in the way of spices. Cherry tomatoes were a nice touch. The chunks of chicken breast were nice and tender. My curry came out before I got even half way through it though, and I didn't feel inclined to finish it. Just a bit boring for my taste.
The curry was along the same lines. I always find it funny when Thai servers put the main course in front of you, an empty plate behind that, and a small bowl of rice off to the side somewhere. I call it, "I give up, you figure it out, white guy." Service always gets a little more attentive when I rearrange everything, put the rice on my plate, scoop the main course onto the rice, and ask for a spoon. "Oh, this white guy knows how to eat Thai food!" becomes the server's new mantra.
The curry was pretty decent. It had a sort of Indian or perhaps Malaysian style to it as far as the herbs. Definitely different than authentic Thai curry (Bangcock or otherwise), unless maybe it's a Lao style. In any case, it wasn't spicy hot at all ("medium" = "I am curious, but please don't hurt me!"). The flavor, other than those "Indian" herbs, was a little bit bland. The beef short rib was the saving grace of the entire meal though. It was nothing short of delightful. It was served with a big chunk of flesh upon a bone with yet more flesh to be scraped, chewed, clawed, etc. Lots of fat, tender and juicy. This was worth the price point for sure. I just wished the curry itself was a little better to go with it.
I understand the fuss and great reviews. This is a nice, comfortable, upscale-feeling restaurant with a great, friendly staff. The food is upscale for sure. Don't make any mistake though, this isn't close to being authentic even in an Americanized Thai restaurant kind of way. The flavors aren't going to challenge your palate, but if you are used to real Thai food they aren't going to interest you either. This one is making my "Overrated" and "Gringos" Thai lists.
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