632244 Sun Jun 28 04:27:59 -0700 2009 14 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4812302 We have heard from friends who frequent Thai Square that the quality of the food has slipped these last two months. Do you have a recent experience that confirms that? We have stopped going there since March and now frequent Sakulthai in Alexandria, which is run by some ex-Thai Square employees. Sun Jun 28 04:28:00 -0700 2009 26988 pleen 1 4812317 Can't say if the food has slipped since I've never been there during its peak. My one visit (within the last 2 months) compares unfavorably to Nava Thai. Don Rockwell says it's slipped. As for Sakulthai, what are some good dishes? Sun Jun 28 04:48:26 -0700 2009 4812302 180506 Ericandblueboy 2 4817439 They do the best floating market noodle soup in the area, for one thing. That's what I've ordered the last four or five times I've been there, so while I've had other very good dishes there before, they've faded in the mists of memory. I may have to return soon to explore the menu again and report back. Tue Jun 30 06:17:53 -0700 2009 4812317 18943 sweth 3 4820705 Better than Sakulthai's? Are there other restaurants in the area that serves floating market noodle soup? Wed Jul 01 06:58:37 -0700 2009 4817439 180506 Ericandblueboy 4 4822521 Umm... no, not better than Sakulthai's. Same as Sakulthai's, since I thought you were asking for what is good at Sakulthai. What *were* you asking about, since I clearly misunderstood? Wed Jul 01 15:42:54 -0700 2009 4820705 18943 sweth 5 4822554 Oh, I guess I wasn't sure which restaurant you were talking about. So you're talking about Sakulthai's FMNS and not Thai Square's? Wed Jul 01 15:56:20 -0700 2009 4822521 180506 Ericandblueboy 6 4827724 Correct. Sakulthai's FMNS is probably the best in NoVA; no idea if Thai Square serves it at all, so I can't compare between the two. Fri Jul 03 13:04:02 -0700 2009 4822554 18943 sweth 7 4828758 TS serves FMNS. ;-). Sat Jul 04 04:03:27 -0700 2009 4827724 105717 alkapal 1 4812461 Thai Square has always been a place you can eat impressively or not, depending on what you order. Maybe that's the story of most restaurants. I was there recently. Still impressive is my favorite dish, the tilefish appetizer (yum pla krob). Especially great when you can have this along with the lacy catfish appetizer (yum pla dook fu). Anyone into textural contrasts would be in heaven right about now. The pork knuckle stew is another very good order as is the chinese broccoli with crispy pork (this should come out like jerky). From the Thai-only menu, the sour curry, duck noodle soup, and the fish maw salad are all winners. Some of their stir-fried dishes like pork with various veggies are dead boring and the meat will be tasteless. It's best to gravitate away from the dishes that sound 'safe.' Sun Jun 28 06:40:42 -0700 2009 4812302 10156 Steve 2 4820073 steve, i'd love a thai menu chowdown! tell me, duck noodle soup, big rice noodles? hot n' spicy? sound / look like this? http://joyesq.multiply.com/recipes/item/4/Thai_Roast_Duck_Noodle_Soup or this: http://www.khiewchanta.com/archives/noodle-dishes/duck-flat-noodle-soup-gury-thi.html or this (man i'm getting hungry! ;-) http://www.ethaicooking.com/home/2008/12/21/duck-noodle-soup.html fish maw salad? is that an air bladder? fried, dried? or the little meaty cheek pouches of fish? done in lime juice dressing? is it "just a *texture* thing?" ~~~~~~~ i think thai square is the same as it's been.... i adore their som tum! i want some of that fried squid next time -- it always looks so delicious! Tue Jun 30 20:34:05 -0700 2009 4812461 105717 alkapal 3 4820284 The fish maw is an air bladder, fried. Served in a typical Thai lime/spicy dressing. It is very much a texture thing, you're right. Duck noodle soup is like your second link. Not spicy at all. Sweet and good natured. . Tue Jun 30 23:39:45 -0700 2009 4820073 10156 Steve 4 4820366 thanks! that duck soup one could make at home (i find the fresh rice noodle sheets at the eden center grocery -- about $3.). Wed Jul 01 03:37:41 -0700 2009 4820284 105717 alkapal 1 4813972 I haven't been at Thai Square for three years for that reason. I used to go to Bangkok 54 but they have slipped too and do not have authentic soups so I go to Sakulthai for the last two years. Price is not bad either. Just to add I went to Thai Basil today just to check it out where Bobby Flay did the throwdown for Pad Thai. It's officially the greasiest and worst Pad Thai I ever had. Sun Jun 28 20:32:49 -0700 2009 4812302 244896 flipeatery 2 4820970 A chowhound friend of mine who used to be a regular at Thai Basil has also stopped going for the same reason - the Pad Thai, which used to be transcendent pre-Flay, is now crap. Wed Jul 01 08:14:31 -0700 2009 4813972 18274 DanielK 1 4828414 How's the honey duck? That's all that matters. Fri Jul 03 20:12:41 -0700 2009 4812302 10723 Chownut