Hot Basil Cafe - West Hartford

[Dana1949]

We're thinking about having dinner at the Hot Basil Thai Cafe in West Hartford in February. We would like some feedback on whether we're making the right choice or not. If so, what dishes do you recommend? Thanks.

[Dana1949]

We ended up having dinner at Char Koon in South Glastonbury. A minimal amount of tables and a bit cramped, but the service and the food were excellent. I highly recommend the Orchid Crispy Shrimp. The shrimp were huge and the light fruit sauce was very tasty. Overall, our party of four gave the restaurant an A-.

http://www.charkoon.com/

[TimCat]

We've been to Thai Basil three times and I can't understand why everyone raves about it. Our meals have been consistently salty and the flavors muddled. Service is snooty too--something I've never been able to quite figure out.

[kidk22]

Seriously, as a Thai, I can tell you that Hot Basil is NOT authentic thai food. The people who rave about it do not know any better. They are the ones who are used to Americanized asian food. The best places for Thai food in Hartford are Thai Room (Shield Street Plaza) and King and I (Park St). East West Grille is ok.

[grose]

We prefer Thai Room in Shield Plaza on New Britain Avenue. Thai Room is my absolute favorite Thai menu in the area. I think you can still find the write-up on chowhound if you search for Thai Room and Hartford (?)

[joaniebaby]

I haven't eaten there, but my husband has and enjoyed it. But, we recently ate at The King and I Thai (I know, I hate the name too) and it was amazing. If you try it, it is on Park street a little past Lena's heading toward Hartford, on the left. It is tucked off the road with a small parking lot out front and a little hard to spot. If you try it have the mussel appetizer and a red curry. YUM! Excellent prices. I wouldn't got to the Thai place in Shield Street Plaza though, our recent meal there was not very good, worst red curry I have ever had, no pernod, almost no sauce, no variety of veggies. We only really liked one appetizer dish, a steamed chichken dumpling.

[goodbyeohio]

pernod? like the booze? huh?

[joaniebaby]

Sorry, it was a flash back to a red curry with pernod dish I had this summer in Vegas. If you see that combo, order it! JB

ps. Love your name. 4th generation from big Ohio farm family. Mooo!

[sprinklez]

it's a pretty little place, but aside from the atmosphere, i didn't see anythign special about it. i prefer east west grill across the street for cheaper and tastier thai food.

[goodbyeohio]

the prices have always kept me out. with the phenomenal thai taste (or whatever it's called now) right around the corner and ~$4 less per entree, why bother with hot basil?

[masha bousha]

Hi- You should do a search of the New England Board looking for Hot Basil. I know that some great things have been written about it but I can't personally vouch for it.
Here's a very positive review of it in the Hartford Advocate:
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/A...