52017 Mon Nov 04 21:01:28 -0800 2002 13 2 Los Angeles Area 0 265138 Any thoughts on this place? I walked by it last night around 9 and it was packed, so someone apparently likes it. (Wilshire and 11th in Santa Monica). Mon Nov 04 21:01:28 -0800 2002 0 soccerdad 1 265140 I imagine it is related to Toi on Sunset. The thai food is basic and decent. Pretty cheap. Intersting decor. Of interest: they serve the most amazing black rice as an option. I believe it is a blend with perhaps some "forbidden rice" and other rices. Either way it is very, very tasty and the main appeal of the place. Mon Nov 04 21:05:23 -0800 2002 265138 0 JudiAU 2 265172 Agree on the rice. to me the only Toi worth going to (as opposed to Wilshire and Vine) is the one on Sunset, in the heart of the rock n roll area. It's really the decor and the crowd here, not the food. And it's open really late on weekends. But if you want real Thai food, go to Thai Town. Tue Nov 05 11:49:01 -0800 2002 265140 0 mc michael 3 265192 Toi is Thai food for the under-30, rock-n-rollish-vegan-brown rice-not too salty/spicy type of diner. In other words, people who don't really like Thai food but want to go to a "Thai" restaurant. Tue Nov 05 14:02:59 -0800 2002 265172 0 Jeff Falls 4 265297 Note that we are discussing their unusual black rice, not the usual brown rice that health hippy places serve. It makes the okay food much, much better. Wed Nov 06 13:24:22 -0800 2002 265192 0 JudiAU 5 268740 i think the one on Sunset has the best food. better than alot of the other thai places in town. a litttle less 'authentic' than some, but that doesn't mean it's not delish. and it is delish. curry of any variety at TOI on sunset and that amazing brown rice... you can't do much better, especially for the price, especially at 2:30 in the morning. btw the best (or more authentic) thai places aren't in thai town, they're downtown and in long beach, and one waaay out in chatsworth. but for my money, TOI on sunset is the best of all worlds. Tue May 20 22:41:17 -0700 2003 265297 0 glomomau 1 265141 Very average Thai food in a low-rent Hard Rock Cafe atmosphere. More of a scene for under-25 indie rockers/young westside hipsters than fans of great Thai food. About the best thing I can say about it is they have a decent selection of vegetarian options and serve brown rice, if you're into that - I personally prefer sticky rice. Mon Nov 04 21:07:58 -0800 2002 265138 0 Chris G. 1 265145 the same if not worse than the sunset toi. Decent, cheap thai food that is a standby for anyone under the age of 30 in Hollywood. Now that I've discovered Jonathan Gold's book (and chowhound) I swear I'll never go again. I'm sure you can find better. Mon Nov 04 22:49:45 -0800 2002 265138 0 discokill 1 265156 I went there a couple weeks ago because it was late and I was hungry. I didn't like it at all. Everything was too sweet. The tom yum koon was too sweet, the pad thai was too wet and too sweet. The green curry didn't have as much curry flavor... It was very crowded though and I think most people go for the rock n' roll decor. Tue Nov 05 01:55:54 -0800 2002 265138 0 tissue 1 265160 I've been to that location twice. (I wanted to like it, so gave it another chance.) Each time the dish I ordered (Pad See Yuu) left me feeling queasy. Service was adequate one time, poor the other (place was empty both times.) If you're not 23 and needing to prove to someone that you know a kEwL place to go after a night of clubbing, avoid. Tue Nov 05 03:30:23 -0800 2002 265138 0 Hungry 2 265165 I am most assuredly no longer 23. Thanks for all of the tips. I guess next time I am in that neighborhood I will keep on walking. Tue Nov 05 08:11:23 -0800 2002 265160 0 soccerdad 1 265175 I never understood the appeal of Toi, even when I was 23. I visited the Sunset location once, and found the taste and texture of the food unappealing; I felt immediately queasy after eating half the dish; I left and never went back. For LA atmosphere and much better Thai food, try Chan Dara on Cahuenga in Hollywood, or in the Larchmont village. Tue Nov 05 12:07:01 -0800 2002 265138 0 tedm 2 265183 Just as there is a noticeable improvement between Toi and Chan Dara, so also there's a leap between the latter and Kruang Tedd, Ruen Pair, and by reports Renu Nakorn. Chow. BTW, Chan Darae on Cahuenga is no longer connected to Chan Dara in Larchmont and WLA. Tue Nov 05 13:07:52 -0800 2002 265175 0 mc michael 3 265185 I'm partial to Cafe Talesai on Olympic near Doheny in Beverly Hills (I think I am in the minority on this board in that regard). Tuk Tuk on Pico near Robertson, and Sanamanalung (sp?) on Sherman Way in North Hollywood. I was merely curious about Toi - you all have ended that curiosity! Tue Nov 05 13:14:54 -0800 2002 265183 0 soccerdad