When you emerge from the Beat's Tuesday Trivia Night with two vegan co-players and all of you are famished, Le Thai appears amidst the quiet downtown streets like a mirage in the desert, one that will do more than quench your thirst. Smooth-sounding name, bi-environment seating with heaters outdoors, and a refreshingly short menu with many options to each dish - this joint is quite the little gem.
Almost every dish is offered to be cooked with tofu and brown rice. Stir-fried noodles are served in bowls, a nice change to the visual palette. Food quality is good and the amount is overflowing, with attentive service that won't hesitate to tell you when you've ordered a spice level you probably won't be able to handle.
Chicken Kra Pow is reliable but could be a bit too saucy. Wings are yummy and definitely flavored with a signature fish-sauce taste, which adds to the addictive element. My favorite is definitely the Awesome Noodles, like a love child between Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Mao, Awesome Noodles serves up smoky noodles stir-fried with a yummy amount of the underrated Asian vegetable-bean sprouts. Le Thai, you're my favorite new downtown stop!