115498 Sat Mar 13 06:26:50 -0800 2004 14 7 Chicago Area 0 630107 We have been on a Thai binge of late...checking out as many Thai restaurants as we can. Tonight, we tasted Thai Aree. First and foremost. The best service I had ever had. Talk about warm and accomadating. It was a male server, and I am not sure if he is the owner you guys speak of, but he certainly cares as if he was the one. But secondly, on a dimmer note. Although, the food was rather authentic, I wasn't blown away. One noteable dish was one of my favorite fish (thai name - Pla Jalamet, forget english name) in black bean sauce was quite good. But the rest of dishes was pretty much okay. My Thai co-dinners agreed with me. We had the duck larb, which was a bit sweet. We had the sausage which was decent, but not really memorable. The gaeng jeud woosen (clear noodle soup with tofu) was okay. I enjoyed the Gailan w/ salty fish. The Dry Suki was good. Overall, decent authentic dishes, but wasn't blown away. But the service was so good that I would come back if I was ever in the area. For the food? I rather go elsewhere considering my drive. Next on the hit list...Manee Thai. Anyone been? Authentic or Ameri-thai? Any other hidden gems out there not really talked about? Sat Mar 13 06:26:50 -0800 2004 0 Critical1 1 630113 I write as a loyal 15-year patron of Thai Aree, so take my comments for what they are worth. I too appreciate the hospitality of the owner. I am also glad of a place where we can enjoy an unrushed meal as a family. Every item I've had (many of the menu items and a few not) has been uniformly excellent (e.g. proper balance of spices, fresh, grilling done correctly, served hot). Your mission, based on your other posts, has apparently been to tour the city's Thai establishments and rate them on "authenticity." I have visited some of the same places, one specifically on your recommendation, and found them to be very good indeed. And I have already previously admitted in other posts that I am not highly knowledgable about Thai cuisine (no Thai relatives or anything like that), but enjoy it casually. In short, I think it's a great idea to scout out lesser-known establishments and shine some attention on them. On the other hand, slugging on a subject-line like "2d tier," based on what appears to be a SINGLE visit to the establishment seems both unfair (i.e. what if the establishment, or the diner him- or herself, were having an off-night?) and potentially damaging to the restaurant (i.e. casual posters will avoid the place in favor of Spoon Thai or others). I would hardly ask you to self-censor if you had a less than satisfying experience somewhere, but you might (in the name of equity) consider tweaking your methodology. Sat Mar 13 10:17:05 -0800 2004 630107 0 Paul Mollica 2 630116 I agree with Paul. I once wrote about a bad experience at Thai Aree, at least partially because my experience was such an outlier from others. Each meal is one item in the database. It is the same thing as making a judgment that a restaurant has gone downhill based on a visit. We have all seen how subjective and variable dining is. I have mentioned before, that people can walk away from meals with vastly different experiences. Lill hardly liked the gang lao at Spoon last week, I loved it. More important, we have all written so much on the inputs of who we are with, secret menu's, etc and how they impact the meal. It is so hard to compare meal to meal because we know that meal to meal so many places vary, especially at smaller places. So, regardless of how good or bad a meal was for me, going forward, I'm gonna try hard to make a collective opininion (unless I do). Rob Sat Mar 13 10:51:36 -0800 2004 630113 0 Vital Information 3 630118 Paul's absolutely right. I have visited Thai Aree once. And based on my one experience, mine could be that of an off night. If we were doing a study, how can one trust the validity of my claim? You won't be able to. But based on my ONLY experience with two Thai friends, that's how we felt. We are not really on a mission to really rate Thai restuarants. We aren't scientific, we aren't even taking notes. We just really enjoy eating, and we happen to really enjoy eating GOOD food...I just happened to pass our general impression on. So take it with a grain of salt. From here on out, I will not "tier" the restaurants. I am just gonna give my humble opinion. Sat Mar 13 11:21:11 -0800 2004 630116 0 critical1 4 630127 As the "Great Satan" of Thai discussion, I tried to restrain myself from diving in to this one, but..... I do not see C1's posts as quest for authenticity for the sake of itself. I've read his posts and to me it seems like he is looking for that delicate balance of food, service and setting. He does it without any preconception or chauvinism towards CH board favorites. This to me is seems to be the correct criteria to judge any restaurant, Thai or not, assess the complete dining experience. So he didn't like it as much as the "loyal customers", to these loyalists I say, eat and be well...continue to enjoy one of your favorites, but don't chastise an earnest poster who adds much to the CH process for not sharing you tastes. Rob commented: "Lill hardly liked the gang lao at Spoon last week, I (VI) loved it" Though I only had a small taste (shrimp allergy) I didn't like the gang lao either, but that doesn't mean it or the meal was bad. It's a matter of personal taste and though no one will admit it, emotional attachment (we all have our favorites). I have been reticent to show my hand on MY Spoon experience, as any comments I may make could cause the thread to erupt in flames. Here is my honest assessment -- I certainly enjoyed meeting Rob and the CQ, to me the company is always more important that the food or the wine...and the company was good. That said, for a restaurant that garners so much attention on the CH board I expected more, with the possible exception of the "sour fish curry", I had no epiphany or life altering visions. It's a good restaurant...no more, no less. I will say that the first restaurant my Thai friends suggest when I ask them "where to eat?" is Siam Noodle and Rice with a "thumbs up" also going to Thai Super Chef, Opart Thai House and Thai Avenue. Lastly, has anybody been to Aroy Thai yet? It's a great looking place and rumor has it, it's run by a former Siam Noodle and Rice employee. I'd try it tonight, but my dining companions are hankering for Chinatown (they won't have to twist my arm). Aroy Thai 4656 N. Damen Open 7 days 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Cheers, STP Sat Mar 13 13:28:35 -0800 2004 630118 0 stirs-the-pot 5 630137 STP, I haven't been to Aroy Thai, but it is on the list. I hear that its good! We will be eating Thai food as much as we can handle the following few weeks. Anyone intrigue or curious about a certain restaurant...feel free to suggest some names. BTW, not to diss a restaurant or anything (but I doubt that there is any fans here), Muang Thai down the street from Aroy Thai is horrid. Since I don't do tiers anymore, but if I was, I would put it right there next to Thai Star Cafe on State. Its Ameri-thai...but its not even decent Ameri-thai. What a waste of stomach space. But am I allowed to make such a statement after one visit??? Probably not...I'll go ahead and apologize to Muang Thai fans. This makes me a bit sad...but I have to admit that Super Chef has gone a bit downhill IMHO. I used to go there at least twice a week for a long while. Now, its once in a blue moon. The quality of the food isn't where it used to be. The attention to detail is a bit lacking. Super Chef does have a soft spot in my heart though, and does all the comfort foods pretty well. I still love their Khao Kai Moo (Pork Leg over rice). I will still drop by occasionally and patronize. But there was a time that Super Chef was my favorite Thai restaurant in the city. Sat Mar 13 15:02:45 -0800 2004 630127 0 critical1 6 630140 Bad news about TSS... I haven't been in a long time (2-3 yrs). I just find SN&R so good that it's usaully my first choice, with exception for an occasional Opart visit. I want to try Thai Avenue and Aroy Thai soon, I grabbed the carry out menu for Aroy Thai last time I walked by....pretty standard stuff, so C if you do try Aroy soon, please post any "not on menu" dishes you sample. STP Sat Mar 13 15:21:41 -0800 2004 630137 0 stirs-the-pot 2 630120 Paul, As a fellow long time customer of Thai Aree, going on 15-years as well, I started to respond to C1's post, but ended up deleting my attempts as being too aggressive, verging on rude. Now I realize what was getting my dander up, the subject line. I have no idea how anyone, even one whose user name is Critical1, can make such a pronouncement after only one visit, though C1 can certainly head his posts as he pleases. Thai Aree is, along with Spoon, my favorite Thai restaurant, each has it's strengths and the the two places compliment each other, as opposed to compete, at least from my viewpoint. I will agree with C1, Eddie, and his wife Anne, are two of the nicest people in Chicago and service is always excellent at Thai Aree. A couple of menu difference examples might be that Thai Aree does not serve Thai fried chicken, Spoon's is excellent, Thai Aree is especially strong in grilled meat, in the summer Eddie often uses an outside charcoal grill. I, slightly, prefer the larb at Spoon, the duck and/or pork neck are excellent, though Thai Aree does not offer either. Grilled beef w/garlic at Thai Aree is exceptional. I prefer Spoon's soups, Thai Aree's coconut curries, and both have different, but very good, non coconut milk curries. Both have Thai sausage, only Spoon has the Isaan (fermented) type. I'd also like to point out that after C1 raved about Siam Noodle and Rice's Thai fried chicken I started to post that last time out I had found it dry and they had reverted to wings only. I then realized I had not been to SNR in well over a year and that, even then, I might have caught them on an off night. Even though at one point, going back 10 or so years, I was a regular at SNR I still felt I needed to have a recent meal at SNR before I posted a negative comment. I went again, found the Thai fried chicken over done and dry and, then, posted to the Chowboard. I've since been back once and found the Thai fried chicken exactly the same, dry and over cooked and the larb ok, but slightly lifeless in the herb department. I have posted numerous times about Thai Aree, I've linked to a Chowdinner I setup there last year. I would also like to point out that Thai Aree has an incredible backyard garden, filled with herbs, peppers and all manner of ingredients. I had one memorable lunch with Zim there where we actually went in the back with Eddie and picked peppers for our meal. I have pictures up of Thai Aree's garden. http://www.sptsb.com/yum_thai_home_of_the_secret_menu.htm Enjoy, Gary Thai Aree Charcoal Beef Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/111803#606053 Image: http://www.sptsb.com/Nue%20Num%20Tok2.jpg Sat Mar 13 11:40:31 -0800 2004 630113 0 G Wiv 3 630123 C1, your post didn't get up my dander; I'm sorry that Thai Aree didn't satisfy you. If you decide to go back for a second attempt, I'd suggest ordering some dishes that I've found to be consistent winners at Thai Aree. Not all the dishes on the menu fit this description: in particular I've been less than tickled by Lad Nar there, and I had a fried fish in curry that left me scratching my head. However, the following dishes have never let down: Larb Pork Nam Sod Shrimp in a Blanket Tawd Mun Stuffed deep-fried tofu Tom Yum Goong (make sure to ask for it at thai spicy levels) Green Curry with Chicken and globe eggplants Pad Ka Prow (basil chicken) or the adulterated pad ka prow we had at the impromptu Thai Aree get together a couple of months ago which has toasted dried chili and squid in with the regular pad ka prow base. And if you like the funk, gaeng som, sour curry with shrimp and cauliflower. With this dish it's especially important to insist of high spice levels and to convince Eddie and his wife (the owners) that you can take thai flavors. When prepared for what the owner presume is the american palate, this dish is sweet and sour with an emphasis on sweet and with just enough fishy funk to taste off rather than deliberate. When it's on, however, and all the flavors are allowed to sing in appropriate proportions, this dish is a symphony of high contrasts and delicious. Thanks for the report; if you do go back, please let us know how you fare. Sat Mar 13 12:24:29 -0800 2004 630120 0 Seth Zurer 4 630141 Seth, thanks for the suggestions. Honestly, I will be back. Someone who cares that much about his customers certainly cares about the food. I can understand why a "diss" on Thai Aree could be offensive to some of you. C'mon, that dude is SO nice. I love gaeng som. And I can certainly take a native's spice levels. Your description alone of the Gaeng Som, will take me back there. Speaking of assumptions. My friends and I were dining at Spoon the other day, and we heard the waitresses yelling to the kitchen staff whether the diners were "farong" or not with each order. Funny stuff. Sat Mar 13 15:22:56 -0800 2004 630123 0 critical1 5 630407 hey C1, another suggestion along with seth's good points (btw you should call ahead about the gaeng som as it is not on the menu and eddie doesn't always have the stuff on hand to make it fresh) - go in the summer when eddie's herb garden is producing - you have to admire the effort that he puts in in not only growing his own herbs but importing the seeds to grow the right chiles for the dishes. my thai aree experiences has been the more often you go and they gets a sense of your likes and dislikes the better it gets and it can get very nice. I'm due for a thai meal (i've been s. indian for the last three weeks) this post makes me think I should get over to thai aree, it's been too long. Tue Mar 16 15:11:55 -0800 2004 630141 0 zim 3 630135 My words have a way to invoke the best out of people, huh? :) GWIV, I appreciated that you took the high road. I didn't mean to insult any of you, and I apologize to you Thai Aree fans for the hasty classification. I do order the fried chicken from SNR almost everytime I go. But I'm not sure when I said that it was the best fried chicken...and I know I have even mention that I preferred the fried chicken at Thai Avenue over SNR's version. BTW. I had a very pleasant meal at Spoon last week. In fact, I will concede that the fried chicken at Spoon is perhaps my favorite amongst the thai restaurants. Siam Noodle and Rice doesn't get the Chowhound rave. But the collective opinion of Thai people is that we LOVE it. Don't know why...that's just the way it is. Sat Mar 13 14:36:17 -0800 2004 630120 0 critical1 1 630144 I was also there yesterday evening for the first time. Although we liked the hearty, home-cooking style and the fantastic service, we still prefer a local joint in Evanston (Chicago Ave / Dempster) called Noodle Garden. I'd be interested in your review if you ever try this out as part of your Thai binge. Sat Mar 13 16:58:11 -0800 2004 630107 0 Christine 2 630617 I was also there yesterday evening for the first time. Although we liked the hearty, home-cooking style and the fantastic service, we still prefer a local joint in Evanston (Chicago Ave / Dempster) called Noodle Garden. ************ Noodle Garden can prepare some delicious authentic dishes... we had a major feast there with the thai in-laws several years ago. Thu Mar 18 15:17:50 -0800 2004 630144 0 Chicago Mike 3 630620 What have you had that's been good at noodle garden? I've eaten a couple times though don't remember anything great (though have been told they do a good duck) Actually because we have never really found a thai place in evansaton we liked we were pretty happy to hear about Thai homemade (thanks dougK), and tried it the other night. off the thai specials menu we ordered pork laab, sticky rice, papaya salad, and fried chicken as well as a green curry vegetable off the regular menu. While I did find everything as Thai homemade very tasty, herbaceous and packing some heat as asked, I had slight criticisms, and would place them a little lower in my personal pecking order than thia aree, spoon and others. The laab, full of frsh herbs and chile heat missed the nice toasted taste of ground rice, as they include at thai aree. The green curry though full of nice sweet flavor, was made with japanese eggplant, which tend to slightly dissolve in cooking and I would have preferred the slightly bitter firmer thai eggplants. all in all, I'm glad to have to heard it and may (unless I hear more about noodle garden) use it as a default order in thai for dinner place. Thu Mar 18 16:11:32 -0800 2004 630617 0 zim