Service 5
Food 3
Cleanliness 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
Pros:
Friendly Staff
Comfortable setting
Fresh Ingredients
Cons:
Pricey
Food of Asia has been the flavor of the month. I can't seem to get enough of it.... Literally no matter how much I eat I can't seem to get full. Which is exactly why this is not only tasty but in my favor for my current fitness goals. The right dishes let me pack in the good calories on cheat meals but limit
the nasties.
I was ready for some more Thai food but the foodie in me had an itch to try a new place. Stray from the usual's and take a risk? We know Sala and E-San are tasty but sure why not. Food blog and yelp time! Landed here and after drooling over the menu had a mild obsession that had to be taken care of. Called up the usually eating crew and headed out.
From reading the other reviews I was already prepared to walk in the door and go unnoticed for a long period of time before I was seated. Seems someone listens because their door is now equipped with a pleasant chime that let the very busy, nice ladies, know my face was there and needed to be fed. Seems this is no longer a problem.
Very cool place in a very less then cool looking strip mall. My favorite kind of find! The whole place was done in Asian influenced stained wood panels. The obligatory Thai restaurant oversize tables/chairs were also in full effect.
The ladies took great care of us. As usual they got a laugh out of the big white guy order enough food for 10 people at a table of 3. All gone when we got up to leave, that's right! I know there are hungry people somewhere and no one will give me an address to overnight my leftovers.
I would like to give this place more then a 3 but something was flat in the food. I couldn't exactly put my finger on it but it bugged me the whole meal. Maybe it was missing some of the sweet my americanized palate had become accustomed to? I don't think that was it but something was missing from all but one of the dishes.
Duck Pineapple Curry:
House specialty and I can see why. This was the best dish on the table. Something about the coconut and scalding pineapple chunks made for a great combo. Maybe the sweetness from the pineapple in this added what seemed like it was missing in other dishes. The duck was fatty but obviously rendered properly as it wasn't a vat of grease. Duck is often ruined in stews but someone knew what they were doing. Taste, smell, and texturally a happy place.
Panang Curry:
My standby anywhere I go. One bite and although it was decent something was definitely missing. Not all curries are sweet(ie: massaman). I enjoy those as well but this one should have some sweet. It didn't and something else was off. First thought was skimping on the coconut. Disappointed face :/
Drunken Noodle:
Fire! which I loved, but we had some gringos at the table so we specifically ordered it at a 3. If this is a 3 of 5 with a further option of thai hot I cannot fathom what Thai hot is. Whoa.. Now these were decent but someone got WAY carried away with the oil. That coats the mouth and dead goes the taste buds. So by bite 5 all I could taste was burning.
Tom Kha Gai:
A very good version but not my favorite in the valley. Sala and Siam both beat this one according to my taste buds. Nothing unique or different worth nothing. Hit the craving.. no more.. no less.
Thai Toast:
Oh freaking greasy awesome.. I love this stuff no matter how much I know its killing me. From the other reviews I was prepared to have to order a side of peanut sauce and pay for it. Volume wise you get your moneys worth. This was like no other that I had tasted. Much more of a goopey peanut texture and not a lot of flavors going on. Was kind of bland. What I like to call not worthy calories. What the heck was I even eating? I'm not sure. A few people said it was great so maybe an off night? or a crap we are out, open a can of xyz brand. Bleck.
Fried Banana/Coconut Ice Cream:
Delicious as it is at all the places. Happy mini sugar coma :D I love coconut ANYTHING!
All this being said with all the other great Thai choices in the valley I will unlikely find myself back here. But it was a great little fling.. don't tell the others!