Best Thai in or near Bethesda, MD

[enrevanche]

NYC 'hound here, in DC area for a family wedding.

Got a mixed group of folks, fairly adventurous eaters all, ranging from teenagers to (cough) middle-aged, party of eight in all, looking for a great Thai restaurant in or near Bethesda, MD for dinner tonight (Saturday.)

Suggestions gratefully accepted.

[repete]

Ruan Thai is not all that hard to get to, it's just that so many Bethesda types seem to dread coming to Wheaton.

If you can find your way to Connecticut Ave., it's easy: Veer right on University in Kensington and a left on Amherst in Wheaton. That's it.

[Lydia R]

The most authentic old-school Thai in Bethesda's restaurant district is Bangkok Garden. I agree with previous poster about Tara Thai chain.

Here's a link to the Bethesda Urban Partnership's restaurant website with a link to BGarden's website:

http://www.bethesda.org/dining/dining...

Ruan Thai is a wonderful, seriously hole-in-the-wall, dark formica place, but not easy to navigate from Bethesda (on Amherst, a block off University Ave. and two blocks east of Univ. & Georgia Avenues in Wheaton).

[Chocolatechipkt]

Sweet Basil is good, but it's kind of like nouvelle Thai, IMO.

Sala Thai is pretty good too. I think it's on Cordell Ave.

Many people here have mentioned Ruan Thai in Wheaton. The front door covered in duct tape is a bit surprising, but the food was very good.

Tara Thai ... I don't like at all.

Jandara in upper NW DC (by Tenley Circle) is also good IMO--not great necessarily, but I have no complaints.

Have a great time tonight!