Vietnamese or Thai near Wellesley

[marcia2]

I'm heading up to Wellesley tonight with my husband and 8 year old to visit my mother for the weekend. For dinners for the 4 of us, we're planning on Sweet Basil in Needham and Bobby's American Grille in Lower Falls unless you want to warn us away from those.

We need to cover one more night and I'd love a good Vietnamese place or Thai as a second choice. We've been to Amarin in Wellesley several times and it's always fine but not exciting. We get decent Thai at home (NYC suburbs), but hardly ever get Vietnamese, so if you've got one to recommend that would be wonderful.

And, not to start an argument or anything, but is there a general consensus on Blue Ginger these days?

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Sweet Basil
942 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492

Blue Ginger
583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482

Bobby's American Grille
11 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02481

[nsenada]

I like Rice Barn in Needham - their short rib curry plate is amazing. One massive short rib in some kind of Thai brown curry sauce with (if I remember right) a birds nest of fried sweet potatoes. Had never had roti canai before going there, so nothing to compare it to, but it was awesome.

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Rice Barn
1037 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492

[Prav]

I've had roti canai many different places and Rice Barn's is very good. :) especially considering it's probably the only roti canai around for miles!

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Rice Barn
1037 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492

[lipoff]

Lam's in Newton is decent (but not spectacular) Vietnamese (with also some Thai dishes), but is fairly close to Wellesley. Not a bad choice. Bobalicious, also in Newton, makes spectacular Vietnamese sandwiches (bánh mi) but is definitely more of a lunch place.

If you can travel a bit further, there are excellent Vietnamese restaurants in Dorchester, and some decent ones in Chinatown.

You might, however, be happier with Dok Bua in Brookline. It's a little further than Newton, but a lot closer than Chinatown or Dorchester. And it's really terrific, authentic Thai food --- the kind that you may only be able to get at SriPraPhai in New York, not a random suburban Thai restaurant.

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Bobalicious
308 Watertown St, Newton, MA 02458

[marcia2]

We're going to try Dok Bua tonight. Thanks!

[marcia2]

Dok Bua was terrific. Thanks very much!

[lipoff]

I'm so glad!

[emilief]

Not a fan of Sweet Basil. Lots of people love it and lots of peaople (me included) hate it. Everytime we can't eat the food, take it home and throw it away. BObby's is ok- especially the lamb chop lollipop appetizer (5 chops).
Ck Shanghaiis pretty good chinese. Do not know of any Vietnamese. Amarin is just ok but not for take out. Blue Ginger is still pretty good upscale dining. Try the lounge for small plates, ming's bing's and the noodle bar. No reservations for the lounge and less expensive than the dining ares.

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Sweet Basil
942 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA 02492

Blue Ginger
583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482

[ecwashere7]

Dah Mee in Natick has very solid (nothing fancy) Korean, Thai and Japanese. The family is Korean so those dishes seem to shine the most. I used to love going there when I lived in town.

Blue Ginger is still excellent. I'd also consider Alta Strada for some very good Italian.

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Blue Ginger
583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482

Alta Strada
92 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482

Dah Mee
25 Washington St, Natick, MA 01760