Tara Thai: To "Thai" For!
Written: Sep 22 '02
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Pros: EVERYTHING! Everything, everything...EVERYTHING.
Cons: Not one!
The Bottom Line: Great! Everything met and exceeded my expectations. Not to be missed!
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| perfectprep's Full Review: Tara Thai |
I haven't epinioned in a [long] while, but Tara Thai has recently moved me to do so. How could a restaurant this delightful not be worthy of an Epinion?
Generally, every restaurant I eat at has a couple "cons" (if only one or two.) But Tara Thai had not a single one, which is why I find it so exceptional.
I generally judge restaurants on Food Taste, Quality/Freshness of Ingredients, Healthfulness, Ambience, Service, Food Presentation, and Portion Size/Value/Cost , and Tara Thai ranked tops in all.
Let's go through it!
Ambience
You step into Tara Thai and it is like stepping underwater. The atmosphere is cool and relaxing. The walls are painted deep blue and decorated with pictures of undersea life. The architecture is soothing and tranquil. The whole place radiates an aura of being in a haven, an atmosphere so separate from the rest of the world. When I go to Tara Thai, I like to sit with my back to the big picutre window, in order to fully absorb the chill purple lighting, the ambient sights and feelings.
Even the tables and chairs are interesting, made of unique materials such as granite, and sometimes covered with subtle animal prints. There's a single, aloof purple orchid at every table.
Ambience Rating: 5/5 stars
Service
I generally rank service in three categories:
-Friendliness
-Timeliness
-Helpfulness/knowledge
Friendliness The Tara Thai waiters were all, every one, friendly and courteous. Big tips went their way!
Timeliness Absolutely excellent, better than any restaurant I've ever been to, short of fast food. Literally minutes after I ordered my drink and salad, they came. The promptness made me wonder whether they pre-prepared the foods, which I decided was not the case after taking a bite. People all over the restaurant remarked at the speed and efficiency.
Helpfulness/Knowledge Tops, in all respects. Most of the waiters are, however, Thai, so sometimes it's a little difficult to understand what they're saying. This is usually not a problem, and they'll never get your order wrong. (In case you're worried about this, you can simply state the number of the item on the menu that you'd like. This is especially helpful because some of the Thai names for menu items are very hard to pronounce!)
Service Rating: 5/5 Stars
Food Taste
Delicious! Just... terrific. The best of any Thai food I've ever had. Deliciously pleasing to the palate, suiting even all-American tastes. They also have a whole page dedicated to refreshing vegetarian items. And the drinks are wonderful, including some delicious non-alcoholic treats. Perfect!
Food Taste Rating: 5/5 Stars
Quality/Freshness of Ingredients
Immaculate. The greens were leafy and crisp, the seafood tender and juicy, the sauces and dressings fresh and delicious. Always frehs, every time, without exception.
Freshness/Quality Rating: 5/5 Stars
Healthfulness
Yes! Yes, yes, yes. Thai food, first of all, is internationally known for being good for you, and Tara Thai is no exception. The incorporation of fish and vegetables into almost every dish on the menu makes it very healthful. If you have special dietary needs or ways you like your food prepared, simply ask and they can accommodate it. You leave lunch or dinner at Tara Thai feeling refreshed and invigorated, not weighted down.
Healthfulness Rating: 5/5 stars
Food Portion Size/Value/Cost
Again, great. I ordered the Spring Rolls appetizer, expecting to get maybe 2 spring rolls with dipping sauce, as I do at most Asian restaurants I visit. But not this time! I was served all of 6 spring rolls, served attractively with a small salad and a big dish of dipping sauce. All the portions are very ample and large, such that the average entree will serve 2 people with modest appetites, maybe even 3. Usually, when I am hungry, I get 2 appetizers, and that is enough. Otherwise I wind up feeling rather full.
That said, you really end up paying very little for what you get at Tara Thai. An entree is about $7.95, but this is very big. The full entree is usually enough, but if you would like an appetizer with it, it comes down to about $10. (All the appetizers and salads are very modestly priced, around $3.00 for a very ample appetizer.) Non-alcoholic beverages are in the $2-$3 range, alcoholic beverages a little more. Altogether, the value is great. You get more than you pay for.
Value Rating: 5/5 Stars
Food Presentation
I am only mentioning this because it is truly exceptional at Tara Thai. All food is attractively, if not exquisitely, presented. The presentation is unique and it really has a cool Thai flare, reflecting the ambience. The plates are always unique, some of them hand-painted, others flat in the Asian style. The food is pleasing to both the palate and the eye.
Food Presentation Rating: 5/5 stars
And overall...
I LOVED Tara Thai. I highly, highly reccommend it, and am planning on going back once a week. I cannot think of many restaurants that meet all the criteria so well. Absolutely, totally, positively reccommended. You must go there to believe it!
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The formality is what you make of it, and dress can be anything between business casual and cocktail attire. Anything goes, really, so come as you wish. Reservations are usually not necessary.
Best Suited For: Romantic Evening
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Epinions.com ID:
perfectprep
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Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Epinions-crazy, fun and spunky, slightly funky, ever zany.
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