Sometimes we just crave Thai food, so this week we’ll cover Bambu in Richardson, TX. A small restaurant, holding maybe a dozen tables, this place has an incredible atmosphere and staff. The food is beautiful as well as tasty, making Bambu a must try for Thai.

With windows on two sides, the light becomes part of the experience during lunch. Subtle music and genuinely friendly staff would probably bring us back even if the food was only OK. But as it stands, those are nice additions to a wonderful meal.

Edamame (4) comes out piping hot, so be careful. Steam pours off the soybeans when the bowl comes off the top and that heat brings out the most of the flavor. We found ourselves actually enjoying this appetizer rather than just going through the motions while we talked.

The vegetarian tried Thai Fried Rice (9), after being assured it contained no chicken broth, of course, and loved it. Large onion chunks in and around the mound of rice are just sweet and very crisp. A large tomato in the middle gave a fun texture combination with the egg while scallions added crispness and flavor throughout. Perhaps the nicest surprise was the contrast in flavor and texture when the fresh cilantro mixes with oils from rice. We’ll definitely get this again.

On the carnivore’s side we had Cashew Chicken (9), which was just spicy enough to build up and get the nose running at a spice level of two. All white meat chicken with fresh, large-cut vegetables and a dark sauce came together for the perfect meaty dish.

On a previous visit, we watched a friend ask for Pad Kee Mao at “Thai Style” and tear up when he ate it. His face was red, nose running, and eyes streaming with tears, yet he wouldn’t stop eating; it was that good.

We like Bambu because has something delicious for everyone and the staff works as a team, which makes the experience a little more pleasant. The next time you are near Coit and Campbell in Richardson, stop in for a bite.

Pleasantly suprised at Thai Tanee

When we pulled up to Thai Tanee on Alpha Rd. in Dallas, we were a little unsure about going in. Situated between a laundromat on one end and a pool hall on the other, we weren’t sure what we were walking into; but when we found an elegant room and a friendly staff inside.

From the many appetizers, we went with Fried Tofu (4.95). Fresh from the pan, this was hot, hot, hot with very crispy corners and a soft interior. With pretty much the same flavor all tofu has, the sauce made the dish delicious with its light sweetness and crushed peanuts.

The Pra Ram (peanut sauce) with veggies (8.5) is a wonderful dinner. This came out like a curry, with plenty of sauce and vegetables beside a cone of rice. The sauce was thinner than other peanut sauces we have experienced, but it was so full of flavor we were surprised. A strong peanut smell filled the area surrounding our table as we tried the amazing dish. Sweet and nutty, this comes with plenty of peanuts crumbled over the top of mushrooms, broccoli, snow peas, carrots, cabbage and baby corn. We can’t recommend this enough. If you can only come here once, we encourage you to try the Pra Ram.  

We always like Pad See Ew, so tried it here with tofu (8.5). The dish is sweet, but not so much so that it builds to a sickly sweetness before finishing. Always mild, this is one of our favorite versions. The tofu is firm and big noodles are well cooked. The sauce is darker than others we’ve tried, but also more delicious.

The Pad Woon Sen (8.5) is also quite nice. Crisp celery, carrots and onions with whole mushrooms accent wonderfully chewy glass noodles that perfectly cooked to a complimentary texture. We had this with tofu, which is pretty basic, but if you prefer meat, that is an option.

We also enjoyed Pad Thai (8.5) with its spicy green onions and sweet sauce. This is extremely flavorful and the noodles are thick and well coated in sauce. The spice from a green onion spice took us off guard at first, but it worked with the sweet to create a wonderful dish.

We were only one of three tables on our first visit, and one of two on our second. This is most likely because of the variety of ordering options. Dine in, of course, carry out, and delivery are all available. And, you can even order online, so the lack of visible customers is not indicative of the restaurant’s quality. The atmosphere is nice, the staff friendly and the food ranges from great to amazing. Thai Tanee is an instant favorite we can’t wait to visit again.

Until next we meet, enjoy great food and keep a happy heart.

Come back next Sunday for another ride through cattle country.

Best Thai, Addison, Texas

“Hey, there’s a vegetarian place. Do you want to eat there?” It’s amazing how many people will go out of their way to make sure their vegetarian friends have something to eat. So far out of their way, in fact, as to change plans based on an observation from the car on the way to meet people for lunch. That’s how Best Thai on Belt Line entered the VICC radar. Of course we met our party at the predetermined location, but any place that lists “Thai and Vegetarian Cuisine” on the signage is worth a look. And, as we discovered, this one is worth multiple returns.

Appetizers:

Edamame ($3.95) comes lightly salted, which is a refreshing alternative to crunchy sea salt crystals falling to the bottom of the plate. Here, the chef uses only enough salt to bring out the natural flavor of the bean.

The tofu satay ($5.95 for four pieces) is grilled with crispy edges and the peanut sauce comes on the side. The sauce is creamy and serving it separately allows the texture of the semi-soft tofu to stand out. The crispy exterior against an interior the consistency of scrambled eggs join the sauce and cucumber accompaniments naturally.

Fried in vegetable oil (yes, we asked), the crispy veggie spring roll lives up to its name. It is extremely crispy – to the point of the skin flaking off on the plate. These are the size of standard egg rolls and filled with cabbage, glass noodles and other mild vegetables. This low-key flavor allows the sweet sauce to drive the dish. At $4.95 for four, these are a deal. Be sure to have your napkin ready because they are greasy and the vegetable oil may well drip down your arm.

Main course:

From the vegan menu, which is an entire page long, the pineapple fried rice with soy ham ($9.95) gained attention. The soy ham has a Tofurky-like texture with a little veggie bacon flavor. If you’ve ever tried Veat products, this tastes very much like those. The combination of pineapple, soy ham, and onions gives this dish an enjoyable Polynesian flavor. Because it is vegan, the dish has no egg. It also lacks the over-use of soy sauce so many fried rice options maintain. The rice is mildly sticky, making it easy to pick up small amounts of each ingredient with your fork for a “perfect bite” experience.

Soy squid is also available in dishes on the vegan menu and the waiter had no problem adding it to the pad see ew ($9.95) from the regular menu for us. This we ordered with egg, but vegans can order it without. It is sweet and wonderful. The soy squid is “surprisingly squiddy,” according to one person at our table. The texture is something akin to a cross between a mushroom and a water chestnut and it tastes like a grilled mushroom. Noodles, of course, are always the main pad see ew attraction and these are no exception. Large, flat noodles piled on the plate, surrounded with vegetables and coated in the sweet sauce make this dish worth the trip.

Finally, this wouldn’t be a Thai review without curry. While many massaman curries contain fish sauce, the waitress said theirs is vegetarian, so we tried it. Ordered at a “one,” this had no noticeable spice level. Perhaps the best massaman to date, this is creamier than most and there is a peanut flavor throughout the curry. While the peanuts always give off some flavor, this tastes almost like there is a little peanut sauce mixed into the curry paste and coconut milk. With fresh vegetables and tofu, this $9.95 dish is perhaps the biggest reason to return. And, for our friends who enjoy a little chicken or beef in their curry, Best Thai offers the standard selection of meats as well.

The atmosphere at Best Thai is mostly quiet and calm. The staff members are courteous and helpful and the decorations of woods and metals add to an overall relaxed evening feeling. That being said, there is one long strip of half booth/half table section running down the center of the restaurant that puts diners at eye level with parking lot headlights. The low backing on the booth side allows tables sitting back to back to hear each other’s conversations as if they are in the same party. “So y’all ate buffalo and y’all ate yak?” coming from the table behind us was a little surprising, but we chalked it up to the evening’s entertainment. If there is a choice, the booths on the far side of the restaurant from the entrance are the most quiet and allow for more private conversation.

Overall, the food is incredible, with three of four of us finding a “best” of a favorite dish. And with a vegetarian buffet offered on the first Sunday of the month and multiple locations throughout the Metroplex, Best Thai definitely earned its place on the “visit frequently” list.

Until next we meet, enjoy great food and keep a happy heart.

Come back next Sunday for: Pass the cheese, please.